The trees, moss, and flowers reminded me of his flower garden which he grew by scratch. He was proud of himself and the pure joy showed on his face. We used to live in Chicago until he passed away due to some heart condition. We all knew this was coming since he’d had problems before. It was just a matter of time.
We moved to North Carolina in the fourth grade or more specifically when I first met Laura. She had helped me through one of the most depressive moments of her life and I couldn’t live a life without her. Thinking about it I would’ve probably already been dead by now.
So when I realized I loved her towards the end of 7th grade, I did the only thing I could do. I avoided her and eventually, it led to her coming to my house. She would come every day to check if I was okay. I never opened the door for her. This happened for weeks on end and eventually, my father opened the door for her. She came to my room and knocked on it, I thought it was my mom so I opened it. That day I wish I hadn’t opened the door for her.
We sat on my bed and talked for hours. I never told her the real reason I avoided her. I instead told her about my dad and how he died. I told her I was afraid to let her into my life because of said things. I apologized to her and she forgave me. Those past couple of days had been hard on her since we were the weird kids in the school at the time so we were picked on and made fun of. It was awkward at first but eventually, it got better. We ended up lying down next to each other and were kind of cuddling.
I loved her but I didn’t care about that. She needed comfort and that's all that mattered.
My ‘father’ walked in on us cuddling, he didn’t say anything. He instead shut the door. He came back later and started yelling at Laura calling her a fag and asking why she has tainted his wifes' daughter. He looked feral and wouldn’t stop yelling.
I defended Laura but he smacked me across the face telling me to know my place and that I should’ve just stayed down. He then walked to Laura and whispered something in her ear. She looked mortified as if a ghost appeared in the room right next to me. She ran out of the house.
What he did was wrong and down right abusive but my mom didn’t want to press charges because she was his wife. He was also the mayor so it’s not like the case would’ve gone far before being shut down by some government official he has ties to. Instead, my mom yelled at my father, threatening to divorce him and saying how he couldn’t mistreat minors without a serious penalty. Which he knew by the way.
I mean no mayor is not going to know the laws of his own state. He could’ve gone to jail but Laura didn’t tell. He never told us what he said to Laura and when I asked Laura she wouldn’t tell me either. It’s safe to say she never came back again.
I stayed in the forest until sunset, staring at the trees and the creatures. It calmed my mind and it made me feel whole once again. It was time to go home for dinner though and I was going to detest as my stomach was practically begging for food and went back home for dinner.
Everything was going well, Mom didn’t get a call from the school. My father wasn’t there to ruin the mood and my brother finally learned how to keep his mouth shut for once in his goddamn life. My mood never improved though. Seeing Laura so upset made me want to ball my eyes out harder than I ever before. She's never been so mad at me before. She may never talk to me again but I couldn’t just let her get hurt again. I lay in bed, I couldn’t sleep so I just counted the hours until tomorrow morning.
—---------
Laura POV-
Sienna didn’t come to school. I watched as she got on her bike and rode away with tears streaming down her face. That was a punch in the gut. I started my trek to the lunchroom. Three hours had passed while I was sitting out there with Sisi. I made my best friend cry but she accused my girlfriend of cheating.
Syd wouldn’t do that, right? She's been so kind to me, well at least at the start she was but barely anything has changed. I mean there are some differences but not enough to be worried about, right? YOU know what? I don't care what Sisi says. I have faith in Syd to not cheat on me. She's been with me threw it all. Even though she did yell at me hundreds of times for no reason but that was normal, right? I mean it happens all the time on TV, who is to say it doesn’t happen in real life?
I made it to the lunch room, grabbed a tray, and sat down at our usual table. I didn’t think anybody was going to join me for lunch today until Alexander plopped down next to me. I’ve known him since we were younger but he hadn’t really crossed my mind much until he started dating Sisi. He was an awful person, he would bully and manipulate kids and was just downright awful to all the (very limited) teachers. He propped his feet up right next to where my food tray was. Asshole. I might as well talk to him since nobody is here. I didn’t really want to until he started the conversation first and for the first time ever he opened a conversation with me.
“Yo,” he said with his casual aggravating flare.
“ Hey, how are you?” I ask. It was already pretty awkward and we’re not even two minutes into the conversation.
“Good, you wanna come to my party this Friday?” he asks me. Why is he inviting me? It's not like we are immediate friends or anything. Not only that but isn't that the day he takes Sisi out?
“Aren’t you going on a date with Sisi that day? Why even have a party if you're not going to be there?” I question him. He laughs at me.
“That is the date. How could you not realize that? Are you stupid or something” Hold the fuck up, what?! The date is the party?! I should tell Sisi but we aren’t talking anymore. She doesn’t care about my happiness so I won't care about hers.
“Yeah I’ll come”
“Kk, I'll send you the information later” Before I could say anything, he got up and left the table. Eh, I didn’t really wanna go but I don’t have anything else to do. Plus I wanna see the look on Sisi’s face when she realizes that it's not an actual date. I kind of feel bad though but it's not my place to say anymore.
—----
Thursday- the day before the ‘date’
Sienna POV:
Alexander still hasn't told me where the date is and now I'm freaking out. It’s not that I care or anything but it's just I don't want to look like a total fool in front of people or anyone really. I’ve been pestering him for the last several days but he just told me to be ready at the respective time.
I hope it's better than the last date. On the last date, he took me to a fucking club and when I told him I wouldn’t go in because I'm under age he said and I quote “Suit yourself”, and shrugged his shoulders. He walked in and never came out to check if I was still there which I wasn't. Turns out he left through the back with some girl and they fucked.
I need to break up with that asshole.
I didn’t have to go to school today because my father wants us to go to a stupid event with some stupid political leaders. Father made us remember all their names and what position they hold which was fucking exhausting but nothing could be done as I had no choice whether I could go or not because the damn party was being hosted at our house. “Stupid political leaders and their stupid business,” I mumble as I walk down the stairs where I was greeted by Mom and my ‘brother’.
“Hey, darling, your food is right on the counter and when you're done I need your help cleaning the house,” My mom said, kissing me on the cheek. I pick up my food from the counter.” Yeah of course ma, anything you need.”
“Wonderful” she exclaimed and went back to washing the dishes. I finished my food and started the dishes. Although my task was to do the dishes my mind wandered. Laura. She’d been a big part of my life and it seemed so empty without her. Normally we’d text in the morning and in the night and anytime really. Without her, it just seemed awful like the days passed slower when she wasn't around.
I should’ve not accused Syd of cheating but most of the signs are pointing to it! Plus Syd isn’t even a good girlfriend anyway. Laura just needs to get a grip and smell the fucking flowers for once. Without thinking I cut my hand on a knife.
“Ow!! Crap that hurts” I hold my hand and look at the cut. I need a bandage. I quickly wrap my finger and continue with my work on the dishes with the cut now as a reminder of why we pay attention to what I am doing. Nevertheless, I finish the dishes and shower at the parties in a few hours. I might not want to go but I also don't want to look like a fool in front of a vast number of people.
—-----
The party has started by now and I can’t get Laura off my mind. I failed her but I couldn’t stand to watch it any longer. She's practically tearing herself apart for Syd and Syd just shrugs her off like she's nothing. She's my best friend and it hurts me to see her this way, especially after my Father. It’s the most I’ve ever seen her happy and if she's happy I'm happy. Admits my thoughts I bump into Father’s assistant.
“Watch where you're going runt,” He hisses at me. I'm taken aback.
“Excuse me?” I say clearly thinking I just heard him wrong.
"I said watch where you're going runt,” He said and walked away. Father watched the exchange with a smirk. “Are you not going to say anything, Father?” I hissed at him.
“Why should I when what he said was true? It’s not my fault you can’t take the truth.” He walked away just like his assistant. I'm in shock. What is going on with these people, why is everyone after me right now? I walk to go upstairs, slam my door, and lock it. I’m done with everyone. Father, Laura, Syd. I have had enough of people being absolute assholes to me. I hear a knock on my door. My father's voice booms through the door. “Laura come out, right now.” I don't respond. “Laura come out right now” Again I don't respond.
“I WILL BUST DOWN THIS GODDAMN DOOR” I need to leave. The wind from the window blew on my face. Bingo. I climbed out the window and headed to my safe space. The woods. I make sure to take my phone and my jacket. I successfully made it off the roof and grabbed my bike. I peddle harder than I ever have before. Just in case they were following me. I made it, got off my bike, and went into the woods where I would stay for the next hours until the party was over.
—---------
I’m back at the house. Inside it's too quiet as if someone snuffed all the lights and was waiting for me in the shadows. No one was. I got to my bedroom, got my clothes, and showered. I set my alarm and lay down in bed.
Tomorrow is going to be exhausting.
TBC
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