House Of Broken Love chp.2
I sat at the bus stop infront of the mall. No way was I going to go home yet. I know what is waiting. I can only think of Jeff and my brother waiting for me. I'm suprised he hasn't come to look for me. This is so messed up. I take off with Jeff and he takes off on me. Bullshit! Now I am going to get it, yet we only spent a whole fifteen minutes together after we took off.

"Ashley, what cha doin'?"I looked up to see Trish. She has been my best friend since ever. She's the only one that understands me and my life. She doesn't like Jeff but she supports me. But I knew what she was doing here, my brother must of called her. Knowing her, she is out in a heartbeat looking for me. But, he makes it sound like he is worried so she phones once she sees me in sight and he is on his way. "Why are you just sitting here?"

I looked to my left before answering. I heard those tires screeching. My brother came around the corner hard on the wet pavement. It started to rain like twenty minutes ago. I took off down the street. I didn't even get to say a word to Trish. The rain hit me as I ran from my brothers car. I didn't feel like doing this tonight, no way. After a few blocks down main, I ran towards the arena hill. Without thinking, I ran up the hill and towards the skate park. There were cars there. I don't see what is so great about drinking at the skate park. And in the rain at that too. But I knew who was there. They are there every weekend. Them and the little punks. To them, they worship them because "they are cool." My little cousin is one of the punks I am taking about. I ran around one of the cars that was in my way, just brushing against as I did. I slowed down a bit and looked back. I didn't see or hear the car. I was going to start running towards the nature trail but Joe was standing in my way. He is a big guy. Intimates lots. I'm not one of them.

"What the hell are you doin' here?" he asked as he looked down on me.

"Passin' through. If that's okay with you? Ape."

"Joe, just lay off" Jeff jumped in as he sat by my cousin

"C'mon, I'm just havin' fun"

I heard a door close quietly. I turned around and saw my bother. Got so distracted by this ape that I didn't hear the car pull up. I pushed Joe out of the way and started to run. One thing, I didn't get far. My brother tackled me down. I struggled to get free as he stood up and pulled me up by the hair. I held on to his hand as he did so. I punched him in his ribs, he just yanked harder. I saw my sister and Trish by the car. "You shouldn't have stepped out your fuckin' window Ashley." He said as he moved his hand around my neck, gripping it tighter everytime I hit him. Finally I put my arm on his elbow and pushed forward as I swung my head under his arm. He got down to one knee, but I knew it wouldn't last so I pushed him down and ran towards the car. I actually thought my sister wouldn't do anything. Stupid me.

"Ash, just give up!" My sister said as she held me from behind

"No! You guys can go to hell!" I grabbed her pinkies and pulled back on them. I remember seeing that on a self-defense show. My sister screamed and let go. My brother had me though. He grabbed me and through me against the car. He held on to my face as he looked at me. The sides of my chin started to hurt. His eyes had that look. Even if I did stay, I would be in this much trouble just for Jeff being there. I didn't make a niose. One thing he tought me, never let your opponent see he or she is hurting you, never let them see that they have you, never let them see that they have you down. I hate it when he does that though, my cheeks make me look like a fish being squeezed like that.

"All this for him!" He pointed at Jeff on the other side of the crowd. I pushed him away and to my surprise, he backed up when I did. "Just get in the fuckin' car."I just stared at him for awhile frowning with anger. I didn't bother to move, I refused to move on his terms. Only way is for him to force me. Which I know wont take long.

I woke up the next morning with the ring of my cell. My back was so sore. I got up quickly though. I like to take the pain quick and complain after when it hurts. I answered my cell with painful moans. "Hello"

"Hey beautiful." I heard Jeff's voice

I looked at the display on the cell, I know it's a reflex to look first but i didn't, and he wasn't at home. He was at my cousins place. I hung up on him without saying anything. Thinks he can phone. It's because of him that I am sore and hurting. I layed back down. I heard my mother walking up the stairs. I could hear her yelling to my sister down the stairs to get ready. I rolled on my side and looked at my cell when I heard the door open. I didn't look back at her.

"Was it worth it? Running of with Jeff? Was it worth getting beat for?" I felt her push the bed with her feet.

"Fuck off." I said as I closed my cell. Disrespect some probably would think, but I have no respect for that woman some would say is my mother. She stands by my brother and his physical abuse. She does the verbal abuse. Shitty part of it all, he doesn't even live with us. He is my half brother. We have the same father and my sister, we came out of the same womb but she can have this thing that is behind me. I was the mistake to her.

"Trampin' around like a whore you are." See what I mean, how can I have respect for her. Ever since I can remember, she has hated me. Loves Amy, my sister, but hates me.

"Look in the mirror, mother." I said sarcastically.

It was quiet for a second, until I felt something hit my back. I closed my eyes tight in pain but didn't say nothing. I heard the door slam and opened my eyes. I reached behind me and grabbed what it was. Something my brother gave me. A plastic teddy bear. Weird, he's not here yet I'm still getting hurt by him.I got up and threw it out my window that was opened. I keep it open after something like that. I guess symbol of hope. Or a reminder. I stopped when I heard somebody. "Owe."

I stuck my head out the window and saw Jeff making his way up. "You have some fuckin' nerves Hardy." I looked him face to face when he made his way up. "Don't think you are coming in."

"C'mon. Your mother and sister left. I saw them pull out when I was walking in the back."

I looked at my clock by the bed. Eleven o'clock. Lunch with her friends. The mother-daughter lunch. She never ever brought me. "Hey!." I said as Jeff pushed his way in. I looked at him as he stood up.

"Ashley, what happened?" He asked as he looked me and stroked the side of my lip. There was a cut there. Probably bruised good to. I haven't been able to check out the aftermath yet.

I pulled away and went back to my bed. I layed down and pulled the covers over me. "Just get outta here."

I felt him climb in beside me. "Babe, what happened?"

"I said get outta here!" I didn't even look back at him. My eyes tighten. I could feel the tears.

"I'm not leaving you right now." He wrapped his arm around me. His head was by mine and I could here him whisper. "I shouldn't have left you last night."

"Wouldn't matter. I only got in a fight with my brother. You know, the brother-sister thing. Then my mother had to jump in." I lied. Partially true, but my mother didn't get involved. I'm not to let people know what really goes on. I guess it's me having the heart I do for my brother and sister. My mother I could careless. My father too, except I can't show it or my brother gets really angry.

He held on tighter. "Sorry babe"

I layed quiet for awhile before turning around. I looked him and just cuddled against him.