New Beginnings
Prolouge
MAX
Life in the Liams family is rough. Despite the four and a half age difference, me and my younger brother are the closest friends. We depend on each other. I'm a troublemaker and get beat a lot, but I still take Rian's beatings too to save him from our father.
Now, though, I watch as deep multi-coloured eyes fill and overflow with tears. I blink away my own tears, trying to look like I don't care. I'm 18 now, free to get away from the abuse.
"Please, Max. You can't do this. Y-you c-can't leave me. P-please please." His begging and hiccuping from crying broke my heart.
"I wish I could take you with me, but I can't," I zipped up my suitcase and turned to the doorway. "This job offer is everything. I can get out of this Hell. If only you were a few years older."
"So you're throwing me away?" His voice is so quiet, barely a whisper. "Just leaving me? Max-"
"I don't have any other choice."
"You could stay"
"Fuck no, Ri."
My chest feels empty as I walk to my car, get inside, and and see the tear stained face of the only person I've ever opened up to. Then I drove away. As fast and far as I could.