"You can't keep pushing me away Paul!" Graciella stormed after Paul. Her throat was on fire from the screaming match she was having with him. She was tired of all the yelling, but whenever a fight between her and Paul broke out, there was no way in hell that it would be a quiet one.
"Oh yeah?" Paul abruptly turned around, causing Graciella to bump into his chest. "Just watch me," he spit out through clenched teeth. His eyes held so much anger, so much disdain as they scorched and burned down on Graciella.
Her heart crumbled at his words, he turned around sharply before ripping the door open and slamming it shut behind him, the house shook from the excessive force used. She watched him run off into the woods through the small living room window.
Her legs gave out and she dramatically collapsed on the hard floor. Tears pricked at her eyes, she desperately tried to hold them back. It was useless. They flowed down rapidly at her poor attempt to block out the hateful looks and harsh words Paul had thrown her way.
It was always like this now. Brutal, verbal fights with Paul every time he came home.
Paul was ever hardly home anymore, and when he was, the result was a screaming match between Graciella and Paul. All Graciella did was worry for him, even if he was the older sibling. She wanted to know what was up with him, why the sudden change?
First, Paul had disappeared for almost two weeks, he came home a foot taller, with bulging muscles and an even worse temper than before. Second, he isolated himself and became hostile towards his sister. Snarling nasty things to her and shoving her out of his life. Third, no matter how hard Graciella had tried to come up with some sort of explanation to his odd behavior, she came up empty handed. Graciella was confused, she was in the dark. She was desperate to help. But Paul would either ignore or curse at her to mind her own fucking business every time she tried to get close.
She missed the old days.
The days in which Paul and her were okay. The days where he would confide in her and she would confide in him. The days where they had each other. Now, Paul had his new friends. Paul had Sam Uley and the rest of the 'Protectors'.
Paul didn't need her anymore, not like she needed him.
Graciella missed Paul, she missed her big brother.
She attempted to run her fingers through her hair in frustration, but it was a hopeless act. Her fingers soon got caught in her wild, curly locks. She let out a deep sigh, she really despised her hair at times.
Forcing herself off the floor, she wiped her tears away. Damn, she thought to herself, I really need to stop falling to the floor every time he storms out.
And she was right, this kind of thing had been happening for weeks now. It was about time she got over it, but Graciella knew it couldn't be helped. It was so draining to fight with him, and the pain of his ruthless words never eased up. His cruel comments stung immensely, the cold glare in his eyes broke her heart.
Where was the old Paul?
The Paul who swore to never hurt her and to always protect her, where had that Paul gone?
She trudged upstairs, needing to get out of the house. It was way too depressing and lonely there, neither Paul nor her father were ever home.
Her father, Bryan, was both a workaholic and an alcoholic, his line of work a helpful factor to his alcohol problem. He worked at a nearby casino, bartending. Then once his shift ended at five o'clock, the roles would switch up and he would be the one drinks were being served to.
He'd come home around one in the morning, throwing himself onto the couch and knocking out. The next morning, he'd be up at nine. He'd get in the shower and then head off to work. That was his daily routine. Never did he speak a word to Graciella. She couldn't remember the last time they had a proper conversation.
Graciella knew it could be worse, her father could be violent and abusive when intoxicated, but thankfully he wasn't. It still pained her, he was neglecting not only her but Paul as well.
Her father hadn't always been that way. It all began when her mother left.
Six years ago, her parents had gotten a divorce, and her father still wasn't over it. Graciella couldn't blame him. After all, her mother cheated and left him for a man she had only known three weeks prior.
She had abandoned her husband, her children. She had abandoned her family.
Graciella hated her for it. Cursing and blaming her mother. It wasn't fair that everything fell apart because of her mother's selfish actions. Eventually, Graciella got over it.
She knew her mother wasn't happy. She had fallen out of love with her husband, and it showed in her actions. It wasn't as surprising as it should have been. At the age of ten, Graciella became aware of the regret in her mother's eyes. She could see the regret towards the sacrifices she had made to be with her father.
Her mother, Jacquelyn, was from Mexico. She was beautiful, with white skin, dark hair and stunning hazel eyes. Traits that aren't as uncommon in Mexico as you would think they are. Her mother had told Graciella that people don't always look the way they are stereotyped to look. Lots of Latinos/Latinas had pale skin, colored eyes, and natural blond hair.
Her mother was a foreign exchange student at Washington State University, where she had met Riya. Riya was from La Push, Washington. Riya had taken Jacquelyn down to the reservation during their winter break, so that she wouldn't have to spend her holidays alone in their room. And so, that's when Bryan met Jacquelyn. They hit it off instantly, it was almost a love at first sight kind of thing. Jacquelyn left school and married Bryan, giving up her education and moving permanently to the US. Two sacrifices she didn't mind at the time, but over the years she grew to regret.
So, ten years ago, when she meets Jorge at a gas station and he offers her a chance to start over, she took it. Never looking back and never saying goodbye. Leaving her family in the dust while she ran off into the sunset with that asswipe.
Jacquelyn's hurtful actions left them all wounded. Her feeling remorse about her life decisions shouldn't have resulted in the way things turned out in the end. But hey, that's life for you.
Graciella was a replica of her mother. She had her skin tone, her dark, curly locks. It was always a surprise to people that Paul and her were siblings, they looked so different, the only thing they had in common was their light brown eyes.
Graciella feared her resemble to her mother made it harder for her dad to get over my her, there were times where he would just stare at her for a long time. Pain evident in his eyes, his lips pursed, but he never said a word to her.
Healing takes time, and the amount of time that it takes to heal is different for every human being. It took Paul and Graciella a long time to get over the heartache their mother caused but they had each other to rely on.
All Graciella wanted was for her father to be happy and move on someday, and she hoped that day was soon. Because her father's lifestyle was unhealthy and depressing. She couldn't bare to watch it any longer. Besides, she missed him. She missed her father terribly, she needed him. Graciella just wanted her father back.
Paul did too.
That was a theory of hers; Paul's strange behavior was an act. Maybe Paul was doing it on purpose, in hopes of gaining their father's attention and concern, trying to snap him out of his daze and get a reaction. All Graciella knew was that Paul had been acting weird for almost three months now and her dad still hadn't said anything to him.
Walking into her room, Graciella grabbed her phone, pulling up her messages and opening the group chat labeled.. The PowerPuff Girls...? She let out a small laugh, those goofballs had changed the chat's name, again. She typed...
Who changed the group chat name? – Buttercup
And why the hell am I buttercup? -_- – Buttercup
Because, you got a sour pussy just like her sour ass personality ;) – Bubbles
Really bitch? really? – Buttercup
You got a problem buttercup? catch me outside, how bout dat - bubbles
I made it, aren't I an absolute genius? ;D – Blossom
Why powerpuff girls thoo? - Buttercup
Because we are three bad as fuck bitches, who are powerful, strong, beautiful, glamorous, and fabulous! And we don't need no man in our lives! Need I say more? – Blossom
Michael, honey, your gay is showing – Buttercup
And I'm owning it girly! – Blossom
WERRRRRK IT GURRRL WERRRRRRK IT! – Bubbles
I hate you two so much sometimes – Buttercup
See! This is why your Buttercup! Always so uptight and bitchy! You need some dick in yo life! – Bubbles
JoEL I WILL SMACK THE GAY OUT OF YOU – Buttercup
ohhh, I like it rough baby ;O – Bubbles
puLL MY HAIR AND MAKE ME CALL U DADDY WHILE YOU'RE AT IT – Bubbles
FUCK YOU – Buttercup
When and where ? – Bubbles
Can I join? I've always wanted to have a threesome... – Blossom
oH MY GOD – Buttercup
Just meet me at the beach in 20 you sex crazed freaks – Buttercup
Sex on the beach ? I like it – Bubbles
Kinky (; – Blossom
That's it. I'm murdering the both of you. – Buttercup
Michael and Joel, Graciella's two idiotic, inappropriate, gay best friends. They were amazing and she loved them, she really did. She just couldn't stand them sometimes, not in a bad way though, more like in a they acted so stupid sometimes that she just didn't know how to deal with them kind of way. They both were so dirty minded and sassy, Graciella loved that about them.
Graciella was no saint either, she also had a dirty mind and raging teen hormones, but what teen didn't? Joel and Michael took things to the next level though, and while it was hilarious at times, there would also be moments in which Graciella turned bright red with embarrassment. Covering her face with her small hands while Joel and Michael laughed their asses off.
Graciella pulled a black hoodie over her head. It matched perfectly with her black, ripped jeans and her black vans. Graciella loved black clothing, she wore it all the time. Michael and Joel made fun of her, calling her an emo chicken nugget. She liked rock music, she listened to all kinds of bands, but Graciella didn't consider herself as one of those punk, emo kids, or whatever. She just happened to like dressing in all black, all the time. There was nothing to it, really.
Grabbing her house keys and phone, she shoved them into the big pocket of her hoodie. She didn't bother leaving a note saying she was going out. No one would read it anyways, she was sure she'd be back before both her father and Paul.
The beach wasn't far from her house, only a fifteen minute walk. Graciella enjoyed walking. It gave her time to think properly, she could breath better, think clearer.
She thought about the future. School was starting in two days, she would be a sophomore this year, Paul a junior. She worried about her brother's education.
Around the time he started to act differently was towards the end of the last school year. His grades were horrible, Graciella didn't know how he managed to pass honestly. He had F's in all his classes. She really hoped he would get his shit together and try harder this year. If he didn't start cleaning up his act now, then she didn't even want to imagine how his senior year will go for him. She wanted Paul to be successful and go to a nice college, or if he doesn't want to go to college that's fine too! As long as he didn't drop out and finished high school then she would be happy.
She worried too much about Paul, but she couldn't help it. It was in her nature to worry about those she cared deeply for.
Graciella's thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of waves crashing against the rocky shore, she had arrived at the beach.
La Push beach was beautiful. The dark waters were in a frenzy today, thanks to the rapid wind that was whipping them forward. They pushed and tumbled against one another, fighting their way towards the shoreline. It wasn't a good day for swimming or surfing, hell no. You'd be swallowed alive by the waves if you tried that, but it was a good day to sit on the sand and gaze out into the sea. To let your mind wander and to let the feeling of reality drift away.
Graciella almost regretted inviting Michael and Joel to come out here with her, the ocean brought this sense of sentimentality to her. She knew it wasn't healthy to make your self sad, but she couldn't control what she felt when she looked at the ocean. It was both blissful yet saddening to her. she couldn't explain why, it just was.
The ocean to her was like one of those songs, the ones that have an up tune beat but deep lyrics that hit you in your feels. One of those songs that brought both happiness but sadness to the listener. The song that replayed good memories but depressing memories all together.
"Hey Grace," Michael and Joel sat down, one on each of side of her. "Are you feeling that weird happy, sad vibe you always feel when you look at the ocean?"
"You know me so well," Graciella let out a small chuckle.
Michael wrapped an arm over her shoulders, "I'm telling you Graciella, you need some dick in your life. You need some soon."
"How does dick have to do with anything of this?" she shoved his arm off.
Michael shrugged, Joel was the one to speak. "Dick is life." Joel sighed, "Dick is everything!" he shouted.
"Maybe to you, but not to me," Graciella shook her head at him.
Joel easily brushed her off, "That's cus you haven't had any yet, love."
It was true, she was still a virgin, with no sexual experience either. Hell, Grace hadn't even had her first kiss yet. It didn't bother her, she didn't care about stuff like that. Well okay, she did care, a little. Either way, Grace was waiting for the right guy. She wasn't like Michael and Joel, constantly hooking up.
Yes, her best friends were a bunch of hoes, but hey, she wasn't judging them.
It's not like they fucked anything with a pair of legs, no. They were careful of who they were intimate with, they just weren't on the whole relationship idea yet. They claimed they didn't want to be tied down to someone yet. Graciella supported them, because why be in a relationship if you're just gonna be in it for the sex? Why be in a relationship if you're not gonna be happy? Or faithful? Might as well not be in one and hook up every once in a while.
"Whatever," she rolled my eyes. "Miel, I'm worried about Paul." Miel was her ship name for Michael and Joel. They've never been like that with each other but Graciella still shipped them. Any girl would ship her two best friends together if they saw the way Michael and Joel looked each other sometimes. It was so cute to Graciella because they denied any chemistry between them, but she saw it. Also, miel meant honey in Spanish, and that was just too cute as well!
A tint of pink was apparent on both of their cheeks at the mention of 'miel', they would never admit it, of course, but she knew they secretly liked it when she called them that.
"What did Paulie do this time?" Michael asked, avoiding eye contact with Joel.
Graciella sighed, "We got into another fight today." she admitted. "he said some messed up shit to me. I don't know when this constant battle between us will end. I try to be his friend but he tells me to go fuck myself. He hurts me so much..." Graciella trailed off.
"He's a fucking asshole that I will gladly beat up for you." Joel snarled, his fingers were drawing doodles on the sand. "He's going through one of those shitty teenage phases. Where you treat the ones who matter like shit and you pick your new, piece of shit friends over them."
She didn't say anything, keeping her gaze on the water. "Joel's right, Gracie. Paul is being a dumbass. It'll pass over time."
"What if it doesn't Mikey? What if this Paul is here forever?"
"Then, we'll kidnap you and hide you in our closets." Michael wrapped his arm over her shoulder again, this time Graciella didn't shove it off. "Right Joel?"
"Right Mikey," Joel also wrapped his arm around her, his laying on top of Michael's, "Then when you're ready, you can come out of the closet!"
"I'm not gay!" she cried out, laughing, "You buttholes! I'm being serious right now!"
"Okay, okay. You can hide under my bed then." Michael suggested.
"Hey, then you can be friends with the monster that's under your bed!" Joel sang, they both sprang into song, singing awful and very loud.
"Ew, shut up! My ears are gonna bled! Don't do Riri like that!" covering her ears with her palms, Graciella tried to block out their horrendous singing.
They both laughed, "Your singing voice sounds like a dying dinosaur, so don't say shit to us!"
"Whatever you nuggets."
Joel's laughter died down, a serious expression on his face. "We're no Batman or Ironman. We don't have amazing superpowers that can save you. But we do have love, support, and a friendship to offer you. You know you can count on us, for anything."
"We can't always be there to protect you from you're shitbag of a brother. But we'll be there as often as we can, ready to defend and whoop his ass for you. We promise." Michael added.
Her heart fluttered at their words, tears were forming again, but this time they were tears of gratitude and love, Graciella felt beyond lucky to have Michael and Joel. "I love you guys." she wrapped her arms around them and pulled them in for a very awkward positioned hug.
Hello! I don't know if anyone is reading this but if you are then wassup? Lol
well I had already uploaded chapter one but I made some changes and I liked this outcome much better than the first. So uh, yeah please don't hesitate to review and stuff. Constructive criticism is accepted just don't be too much of an asshole. (: have a lovely day!