Chapter 17 Ellen nodded , keeping her head down . " My brother told me , " she said softly . She looked like the was about to cry , and Briar felt a little awkward . She wasn't great at comforting kids , so she cleared her throat and tried to keep her tone calm and gentle . " Yeah , your brother's tied up with work and can't come back right now . He asked me to look after you for a bit , " Briar explained . " I'm two years older than you , and I grew up here in Shoneport . I'll be starting at Shoneport University in September - it's near your school . You can just call me Briar Ellen was polite , despite everything she'd been through with her foster family . She nodded again and said , " Okay . I understand , Briar " Briar raised an eyebrow . Ellen was honestly kind of adorable . Something softened in Briar's chest . After Briar's mom passed , she'd lived with her grandpa and grown up as the youngest in the family . Her older cousins always doted on her like she was still a little kid . Even when she started working with soldiers at fourteen , she'd still been the baby of the group . Now , at the Jennings family , Camden and Beatrice also called her " sister " in that fake , mocking way that made her want to punch them in the face . " Good girl , " Briar said with a small smile , pulling out a bank card and handing it to Ellen . " There's 1 million dollars on this . Your brother transferred it for your living expenses . We kept it under my name so no one shady could get to it . " Ellen's hands trembled a little as she held the card . She'd never seen this much money in her life . Back when she lived with her foster parents , even after doing all the housework , she barely got enough pocket money to buy breakfast now and then . After they kicked her out , she went to school and worked part - time at a small restaurant . The boss always shorted her pay , using her age as an excuse . " Briar , 1 … I can't take this much , " Ellen said , scared to even hold the card . It was light , but in her hands , it felt heavier than a brick . " Why not ? " Briar asked with a soft laugh . " Are you afraid someone's gonna rob you ? " Sam had told Briar about the bullying Ellen dealt with at school. With no parents and no one to stand up for her , she turned timid and scared of everyone . Good thing it was summer break . If school had still been in session , Sam probably would've dropped everything and flown back just to punch someone . Ellen's eyes started to tear up again . She bit her lip , trying not to cry . " They always take my stuff , and I'm scared to tell the teachers . " For someone who'd never felt much warmth growing up , it only took a little kindness to break her down . But Ellen had learned the hard way that crying never helped - sometimes it just made things worse . " Don't worry . If anyone messes with you , call me . I'll deal with them , " Briar said . " Do you have a phone ? " Ellen nodded and hurried to her room . " Yeah . I'll go get it . " Then , she came back with an old , outdated phone - the kind one would throw away without a second thought . It took three whole minutes to power an . Briar rubbed her temples but didn't say anything . She added her number to Ellen's contacts . " That's my number . Call me anytime , okay ? Until your brother comes back , I've got your back . " " Okay , " Ellen whispered . She glanced down at her junky old phone sitting next to Briar's sleek one and felt a little embarrassed . Briar saved Ellen's number in her phone as well . Just to be sure , she looked Ellen in the eye and said , " Seriously . Don't be afraid to call me . F Got it ? " hing Ellen nodded quickly . In just a few minutes , Briar had shown her more kindness than she'd seen in years . " I got it . Thank you , Briar , " she said sincerely . 1/2 13:35 Mon , 28 Jul G Chapter 17 55.0 "Good girl , " Briar said as she finished her water and stood up . " It's getting late . You should get some rest . I'll come by tomorrow , and we'll go look for a better place for you to live . " Ellen walked her to the door . " Goodnight , Briar . " " Goodnight . Lock the door behind me and stay home tomorrow , okay ? " Briar said , giving her a small wave before heading out . Once she heard the door lock , Briar went downstairs and texted Sam . [ Just saw your sister . She's sweet . No major health issues - just a little underweight from not eating well . She'll be fine with some proper care . But you really should bring Alex back with you . She needs someone who knows how to handle emotional stuff . ) When she'd handed Ellen the bank card earlier , Briar had also quietly checked her health . Physically , Eller was mostly fine and would bounce back soort enough . But when it came to emotional or psychological stuff , Briar wasn't an expert . Sam replied quickly : [ Got it . Thanks . ] Briar put her phone away and walked out of the complex . Ashton's car was still parked outside , and he was leaning against it , smoking . The night breeze tugged at his shirt , stretching his shadow long across the pavement . Brandon stood nearby , alert and watchful in the unfamiliar neighborhood . Briar jogged over with a smile . " Hey , Ashton . I'm back . " " Did you find your friend ? " Ashton asked , flicking his cigarette away as he saw her coming . He walked over and opened the car door for her . " Yeah , we're hanging out tomorrow , " Briar said casually , like they were old friends . " Do you know where you're taking her ? " Ashton asked as she got in . Briar shook her head . " Not yet . I want to help her find a better place first . This area's not safe, and she's still underage . She shouldn't be living here alone . " " Need any help ? " Ashton offered . Briar waved him off . " No , thanks . I've got it . I'm already house hunting near Shoneport University anyway , so I'll bring her along while I look . " As for buying a place for Ellen , Briar planned to ask Sam to cover it . After all , she wasn't running a charity . AD Comment Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!