I sighed as I stepped into my new home, pulling my shoes off and placing my coat on the hook I had installed a few days ago. I had expected this, even planned for it, but it was still a slap in the face when Dad kicked me out.

I looked around at the apartment Astrid and I had decorated. Astrid had helped me through so much, from sticking up for me when the kids at school picked on me, to just listening to me when I needed a pair of ears to hear me out. She was there, holding me up, taking care of me. She helped to fill that void in my life where a mother should have been. Where a father should have been. Where an older sister should have been.

My older sister was born without a heartbeat- died before she had a chance to live. A year later Mom died giving birth to me; I came to early, had the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck, and tried to come out feet first. Guess you could say I was bad luck from the start. The doctors tried to turn me around, but it didn't work. Mom was fragile to begin with, petite and pale, and none of the problems above helped the situation. She had a C-section after being in labor for over 50 hours, but it was already too late. She died three hours after seeing me for the first time, taking most of Dad's heart with her. To this day, I think he still blames me for her death.

Because of that, Dad was always ignoring me, neglecting me. Astrid was the first person to care about me, taking care of me when I was sick, helping me when I got hurt, and making sure I had three meals, regular showers, and clothes that matched. She replaced my mother and my father, and loved me, but that thought didn't ease the pain. Even as a child, I knew I had killed my mother, and my father hated me for it. I've always disappointed him, he never listens to me, and he is never there for me. Why should I care what he thinks? I shouldn't. Yet I do.

'Stop it, stop it stop it STOP IT! I need to find something else to think about...' I chastised myself. I was about to go grab something out of the fridge when I remembered one minor detail. I forgot to buy food yesterday when Astrid and I were in town. "Damn, I have to go to the store."

I slipped my shoes back on and snagged my coat on my way out the door. As I walked down the street (the store was only a few blocks away) I recalled what had happened earlier today.

I told my dad about my sexuality, knowing that he wouldn't like it, and we got into an argument. I was planning on moving out no matter what, but I just wish I could have left on better terms.

Astrid and I have been preparing for this for WEEKS, she has known for quite awhile, but told me recently that I needed to tell my dad. Gobber, one of my dad's oldest friends and practically a father to me, is the only other person who knows about my sexuality. He helped me to find the apartment, and he helped me with the paperwork and stuff, as I had no idea what I was doing. I've also been apprenticed under him, as a carpenter, for the longest time, since I was 12 or 13 probably.

The apartment is actually pretty nice, with two bedrooms and one bathroom. I made the kitchen table and the coffee table myself, with help from Gobber, and we found the beds and couch from different places across town. Yesterday, Astrid and I finished moving things in and touching up the decorations. Today, I gave my dad the news and moved out. All I need now is supplies (cleaning products, shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, etc.), but Astrid and I are going shopping for that stuff tomorrow.

I rounded the corner and was about to walk into the store when I heard some shouting coming from down an alley across the street. I looked over to where the commotion was coming from just in time to see a figure run out of the alley, only to be stopped by at least five more figures. I saw one of the five start to punch the first guy, knocking him to the ground, and I knew that I had to do something.

I tried to make my voice as low and menacing as possible when I spoke to them. "I suggest that you all leave now." I held up my cell phone so they could see it, praying my voice didn't waver. "The cops are on their way, and if I were you, I'd want to be as far away as possible when they arrive." I somehow doubted it would work, but somehow Luck find it in her to give me a break, as the five guys ran away. Not before giving me bone-chilling glares, but still. After watching them retreat, I finally turned to the guy they were going to beat up and froze, surprised. He was the most handsome guy I have ever seen.

He was tall, a few inches taller than me, 6 feet maybe? Jet black locks hung in his face, but when he sat up a little and opened one eye, I could see that it was a piercing green. I didn't have long to admire his strong features, as I realized he was bleeding in many places and he looked like he was gonna pass out at any moment.

"Oh my god are you okay?!" He nodded his head and tried to wave me off, standing in order to try to walk away, successfully falling on his face. I helped him up, threw his arm over my shoulders and helped him walk down the street to my house. I thanked the gods that I had acquired some muscle from working in Gobber's shop, because DAMN was he heavy.

I was relieved when we finally got to my house. I pushed the door open and sat him down at the kitchen table, thankful that Astrid had made me put a first aid kit in the bathroom, my accident-prone tendencies in mind. After cleaning him up and unsuccessfully getting an explanation from the dark-haired stranger I showed him to my spare bedroom and decided to call it a night. Groceries can wait.