Hey guys, it's Ash. Sorry about not updating there for a while- I've been busy with school. But now I'm on spring break so I'll have plenty of time to write for you all!

Here's Chapter 3, hope you enjoy it!

"Things will get easier, people's minds with change, and you should be alive to see it."

Chapter 3: Gotta Deal With It

"I guess.. I'll give it to you tomorrow." I whispered.

I sighed and took a look at the book. The title was called Growing With You. Huh. I'll probably read the summary later.

I walked over to the bench, and grabbed my bag. Shoving the book inside, I started my walk home.

"That bitch.." A familiar voice said with a cough.

I stopped and took a deep breath.

"Listen, Justin. If you ever act like that towards Maka again,"

I turned around and glared at the blonde lying on the concrete.

"You're gonna have to deal with me. And that ain't gonna be fun for you"

Snickering, he looked up from his place on the ground. "What, you her new boyfriend or something?"

"Absolutely not." I shot back.

He slowly got up. "Whatever." He stuck his hands in his pockets, and exited the park. I heard him mumble a couple words. I heard him say 'freaky,' and 'eyes.'

"What a douche." And with that, I left.

"Soul. Where were you."

I didn't answer. I knew how this would end. But I couldn't lie. It would do me no good- he'd find out.

"Soul Evans. Answer me right now."

"I was just shooting hoops down at the park." I swallowed the lump in my throat as sweat began to gather above my brows.

Closing his book, he rose from his seat on the couch.

"How many times have I told you? Basketball is forbidden. It will never help you in the future, for it is merely a distraction. Your studies are your top priority. No son of mine will end up being unsuccessful."

"But I like basketball." I whispered, looking at the ground.

"What." He stepped closer.

"I said-" I paused. "I like basketball."

I looked him in the eyes- they were the same crimson eyes I'd inherited. But they weren't bright. They weren't gentle. They were dark- full of hatred.

They were full of hatred because of me. Because I wasn't the son he'd hoped for. I was a failure in his eyes. Those dark, crimson eyes.

"Consider this punishment a blessing- because next time, it'll be a hell of a lot worse."

I flinched as his hand shot in the air, and I waited for the hard blow.

"STOP!" I opened my eyes and sat up. I frantically looked around, realizing I was in my room.

I sighed and buried my face in my hands. "Just a dream."

After that incident, I decided to leave my fathers house for good. I was done. This was the final straw. I couldn't live with him anymore- and adding to the crappy family life I already had, an even crappier social life made me want to leave that house and that town even more. I just had to go.

I had no place to stay, no one to go too. And being only thirteen at the time, I couldn't exactly live on my own either. I only thought of one person who might take me in.

My elder brother Wes. Problem was, he lived a good fifteen-twenty hours away. Plus, we weren't exactly 'close.' But he was the only person I thought of, and he would understand what I was going through. I decided to go. I had my own motorcycle so I decided to leave driving on that. I found Wes's old drivers license in a drawer and would use that as ID if there was any suspicion drawn to me. We looked really alike- it had to work.

And it did. I ended up driving there all on my own with the help of GPS, and when I arrived at his house at four in the morning the next day, he sure was surprised. But when I told him why I was there, he just smiled and told me to 'get the hell in.' Then we had ice cream, and I remember going to bed.

My father never called me. He let me go. It's probably what he wanted anyway. Not that I care, he was a selfish bastard.

But that's where I'm living now. Wes is twenty-two, and I'm fifteen.

I shook the old memory out of my mind, and ran a hand through my hair.

It was damp from sweat, along with my clothes. Gross.

I peeled my shirt off and got up from my bed, walking out of the dark room.

'I haven't had a dream about him in a long time. God what an ass he was.'

I walked into the kitchen and got some milk from the fridge. After drinking half the carton, I made my way back up to my room.

When I got there, I noticed Maka's book peeking out from my basketball bag.

I walked over and removed it from the bag, examining it once more.

On the front cover it was a picture of a lake with a blanket lying in the sand.

I flipped it over and read the summary. It said it's about a girl named Gabrielle and how she has family problems- especially with her dad. He's abusive towards her and she decides to run away at the age of fourteen.

'Huh. Weird coincidence.'

I guess she meets someone while running away and they grow up together.

I roll my eyes.

What a stupid sounding book. I mean, why do people even write about this stuff?

This girl is probably terrified of men if her dad abused her. I wouldn't want to get that close to another man if I were in her situation. She probably overcomes that fear in the book though. That's how all these books end. They're all rainbows and butterflies in the end.

But not in my case. Not at all.

Yeah, sorry it was short. But I just had to make this a whole chapter itself. It's a pretty important part of the story! Make sure you guys review, it really helps me and encourages me to continue to write.

I'll probably post Chapter 4 tomorrow. Have a good day! -Ash x