Author's note: Hey everyone, thanks for the feedback on the last few chapters. This is the next one. Sorry it's short, and for any spelling and grammar mistakes. I have a few more chapters to edit, but if you like this so far please let me know. ~Rose
The rough years of elementary education tumbled along and became a jumbled blur in my memories. In the fresh start of autumn, with the crisp crunch of leaves, and the cold wind chill I started my new school life. I sighed as I walked through the halls of the different and new surroundings. I'm a fifth grader now, and I have upgraded to middle school. Scott says it's sign of me growing up and before I know it, I'll be like him, and take classes at college.
I came up to my small grey locker and fiddled with the lock before I started to pack up my things; as it was the end of the first day. I was finishing putting my notebook in my messenger bag, when I felt rough hands push me forward. I felt my skin stretching painfully as my face was forced into the tight space of the locker.
"I didn't think you'd have such a big head to match your huge eyebrows!" A familiar voice laughed at me.
I struggled for a moment before I turned to look at Gilbert. He was standing with his usual friends, Antonio, Francis, Alfred, and a boy with spiked blond hair by the name of Matthias.
"Leave me alone…" I mumbled out trying to push myself out of the tight space.
"But that's no fun!" Gilbert gave a laugh before he finally released the pressure he was putting against me.
I pulled myself back and rubbed at my now red, stinging face; hoping that the hash locker edges didn't leave any marks.
"Come on Gil, do you really have to tease him all the time?" Alfred looked at me with a bit of a frown. I was surprised to hear the hesitation in his voice. The Alfred that I had known since elementary school always seemed to be so confident. Ready to jump in to their groups antics at a moment's notice. But right now he sounded unsure.
I couldn't help but stare at him, wondering if he was really trying to be nice, or perhaps he felt guilty; or maybe a fear of punishment?
Gilbert turned to Alfred with an upraised eyebrow. "What do you mean Al?" Gilbert seemed to be just as confused as I was. He then let out a snort, "You're not friends with the wimp here are you?"
There was a group silence now. All eyes lined up with Alfred's, his brow furrowed as he darted his eyes away, down and to the right. I noticed he fidgeted with his foot, tapping it behind his other one. I held my breath waiting for his answer,
Alfred looked around nervously as he noticed that everyone was looking at him. He played with his hands for a moment, before he let out a loud, large laugh. "What? No! Why would I be friends with him? I mean he's a nerd, and never talks, or smiles. Why would I be friends with somebody like that?"
My heart sank as I heard Alfred's answer. Why did it hurt to hear those words? I should have expected them. I don't know why I got my hopes up. No one could ever like me let alone him…
Gilbert laughed and slapped Alfred on the back. He then gave me a rough shove before he started to lead the group away. I watched Alfred, as he stayed behind to look at me with a small frown. I just stared blankly back, until he faded down the hallway.
Once they were all gone, I finished packing and then headed to the entrance of the school where I would wait for Alex to come pick me up. Scott couldn't do it because he had college classes.
I miss the car rides with Scott. Even though we didn't really talk I liked his company. The soft hum of his voice as he spoke, or the small looks he would send me; they were very different from the way Alex would act when he picked me up.
I jumped a bit and covered my ears when a loud horn was honked. I hate loud noises. I then looked over to see that Alex had pulled up in front of the school. I sighed as I walked over and opened the back door, before I put my bag in and climbed in my self. I winced at the volume of the music Alex was playing.
"Hurry up and get in, I don't have all day, shrimp." Alex turned to look at me, watching me as I put my seatbelt on, before he started to drive away.
I was silent for a moment as I turned to look out the window. I watched the trees and houses whisk by. They were only noticeable for a glance… Just like me.
After a few seconds I spoke up. "Is Scott home yet?"
Alex looked at me through his rear-view mirror as he answered. "No, he's got late classes tonight. He won't be home till late. Why? You need him or something?"
I shook my head. "No, it's just Scott is always coming home late now…"
"Yeah, that's college life for you." Alex gave a bit of a snort. "Oh! Which reminds me," Alex gave a smile. "I'm heading over to a party at a friends house, and I'm dragging along Will. He wanted me to tell you that there are some leftovers in the fridge that you can heat up."
I hummed in response before I turned once again to the window and daydreamed about walking in the forest. I imagined that it would be peaceful, hearing the sounds of the birds and feeling the soft brush of the wind against my skin.
I was pulled out of my wonder by a suddenly jolt of the breaks. I looked to notice that we had already made it to our house. Alex motioned for me to hurry up, so I quickly grabbed my things and got out of the car. I gave Alex a wave, he nodded back before pulling out of the driveway.
I made my way into the house and headed down the hall to my room. I stopped when I noticed that my dad's door was open. He had been coming out of his room now, but I still rarely saw him. When I did he never looked good. I sighed as I continued my way to my room. Once I got there I laid on my bed and started my homework.
I worked till it started to get dark outside. I glanced at the darkness out my window when my stomach decided to remind me that I needed to eat. I got up and headed to the kitchen to heat up the leftovers Alex told me about. As I made my way down the hall, I saw my dad in the living room up a head. He was staring at the wall with a sad expression. There were dark circles under his bloodshot eyes, his graying red hair was messy and sticking up in places, and there was a slight pinkish tint to his cheeks.
I stopped and held my breath for a moment, my eyes lingering on the bottle in his hand. Dad was drinking a lot more recently. Scott said it was another part of his process, but I could see that it wasn't good for him. And I was the one who made him that way.
I slowly walked into the living room and made my way over to my father. He didn't look away from the wall as I approached. I shifted on my feet for a moment, before I spoke up; my voice hesitant. "D-Dad? I'm sorry…"
There was a tense moment of silence till my father started to laugh bitterly. "Sorry? You're sorry?" My father continued to laugh till a look of anger flashed on his face. "You took her away boy, how can sorry make up for that?!"
I flinched as my father's voice started to rise. I kept my gaze down at the floor. My heart clenched painfully and I didn't know why. I knew he wouldn't forgive me. I deserved his anger.
"You took her hair, her eyes…" Then my father gave a bit of a growl. "Look at me!" My father reached out and grabbed my chin roughly and forced my eyes to look at his face.
"You should have never happened! If you weren't here Elizabeth would still be alive!" My father then raised a hand and hit my jaw roughly.
I fell down on the floor, and instinctively raised a hand to my jaw touching it gently, and wincing as it sent pain there. Tears started to appear in my eyes, I tried my best to not let them fall. "I-I'm sorry…" These were the only words I could think to say as I looked at my father in his drunken anger.
"That's not going to bring her back!" My father shouted out and sent a kick to my stomach. I bit my lip till it bled holding the pain in. I deserved this. I curled up a bit as my father started to throw more blows at me.
"What are you doing?!" A voice shouted out in shock and anger, causing the blows to stop.
I opened an eye and turned slightly to see Scott glaring at our dad. He then quickly walked over and grabbed my father's arm roughly.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Scott asked again, his face taking on a deep angry expression. "He's just a kid!"
"He took Elisabeth, and you know that! He took her from me Scott; We'll never see her again!" My father shouted back.
Scott let out a noise that seemed to be with a mix of a sigh and groan. "Damn it Dad, that was years ago. When are you just going to let her go?!"
"I can't…" My father's voice turned saddened. "I can't let her go. She left with out me…" His gaze then turned back to me, and his look hardened. "And it's his fault… I knew we should have gotten rid of him…"
Scott glared and shook his head. "You're drunk. You know mom loved Arthur, and wants you to love him too."
"How would you know what Elizabeth wants?!" My father's voice started to rise again. He then raised his hand and sent a blow at Scott.
I turned my head away and curled up in on my self as I didn't want to see the two of them fight. I whimpered slightly as I could hear them hitting each other. I clutched at my chest knowing that I was the cause of this.
After a few moments, I heard the door open, and then slam shut. I tensed slightly as arms wrapped around me. I opened my eyes to see Scott holding me, a sad expression on his now bruised face.
"It's going to be okay kiddo, I promise." His voice was shaking and he looked so tired.
I stared at Scott's face, at the forming bruises that I had caused. His swollen shut black eye, his nose that seemed to be squished in and the small bit of blood that dripped down his lip. Why did Scott have to lie all the time? Why did he have to lie to me? I curled up in his arms and started to cry.
Author's note: Thanks again for reading and sticking with me so far. ~Rose
