Almost all of this story is in Floras POV. I will say if it isn't. Please R&R
I sat on the counter in the kitchen of my small house watching my mom make pasta bake; she was panicking slightly and kept glancing at the clock almost every minute. Want to know why she did this? It's because my dad was due home in exactly 18 minutes and he liked dinner to be on the table right when he got home.
My older brother Riven walked in, playing with his Batman toy figure things. "Mom can I go play at Helia's?" he asked with puppy dog look, eyes and all.
She glanced at the clock again and shook her head rather quickly. "Not today. Dinner won't be long and we need to eat as a family." She slightly flinched as she spoke. Riven's face fell, but he just nodded before he sat next to me. He was a cue kid with magenta hair and eyes. He as older brothers did, looked after me not only at school and out and about, but at home too. As far as he was concerned him, and a lesser extent his best friends Helia, who happened to live next door were the only ones allowed to pick on me.
Riven was ten and two years older than me, and helped me with everything. He slightly nudged me. I swing my legs as they dangled off the counter, smiling.
"OK, go set the table for me you two. Exactly right, OK?" Mother instructed. "Yes ma'am" Riven joked before walking to the dining room with everything we needed. We all slightly laughed.
My dad was extremely particular about everything, he would get angry if just one thing wasn't perfect or exactly right. Mom always said dad had a stressful job. He always got easily if we did anything wrong. My dad took the saying 'Children shouldn't be seen or heard 'he took that to the extreme. At 6 every week day he would come home. We would eat dinner right away, then my brother and I would be sent to our bedrooms, where we would sit quietly and play until 8:15 we would go to bed.
We all hated this time. Everything would be fine until he came home and we would all act different. I always stood there wishing I could hide and never come out. Riven would never smile and went quiet. And mother would well, get this look of fear and worry, plumping up every pillow and cushion in the house.
Riven and I sat down in scilence, waiting for the click of the door signaling that father was home. I could feel my adrenaline and nerves flowing through my veins and in my stomach. I prayed that he had a good day at work and he would be normal tonight. On Sundays when my mom took Riven to hockey practice and I was left home with my father, were the worst. I didn't tell anyone about those times or how he touched me and told me how pretty I was. I hated those days and wish weekends never came.
A few minutes later, dad walked in. He had magenta hair like Riven and eyes the same jade green as me. "Hello, kids" he greeted in a loud booming voice. I flinched slightly and Riven grabbed my hand under the table to calm me. The way my dad looked at Riven was like he was wishing he didn't exist; it made my stomach hurt to see him look at my brother like that.
"So kids how was school today?" he asked. Jake looked around surprised but quickly masked it. "It was good thank you, Helia and I tried out for the hockey tea-" he started but my father nodded not listening. "That's good son." He interjected, "and for you Flora?" Oh no be polite and don't ramble. "Great thank you." I replied quietly. "SPEAK UP CHILD" he shouted." It was good thank you" I repeated a little more loudly.
I reached my hand out for my drink but wasn't watching properly and spilling the water on the table. "Shit Flora, you stupid little bitch" dad growled. He grabbed my arm roughly pulling me from the table. My back suddenly hit the wall behind me, I had to bite my lip to stop me from crying as pain shot down my back. His eyes were full of anger as he drew his arm back. I held my breath waiting for the blow knowing I had to take it.
Almost instantly my brother jumped in front of me, wrapping his arms around me, protecting me. "Get the hell out of here Riven" He shout. He grabbed Riven's shirt throwing him to the floor. I felt the palm of my dad's hand connect with my cheek. He then went and started beating Riven. Silent tears streamed down my face, I couldn't stand seeing him do that to my brother; he was only trying to protect me. Riven always did that. Whenever I got in to trouble he would provoke my father so that he would hit him instead.
As soon as my father left the room I crawled over to my brother and wrapped my arms around him. "I'm so sorry, Riven." I kept repeating as he sat up into a sitting position. "It's not your fault" he said shaking his head slightly. We then went and sat in my room silently. This was entirely my fault. My body was wracked in to uncontrollable sobs. Riven's arms came around me as we heard a large crash in the living room. "its ok." he kept whispering into my ear. "I better go to my room it's after eight." Riven muttered. "Lock your door and if anything happens go out your window and run to Helia's, don't wait." He said before opening the door and leaving.
I crossed my room locking the door then pressing my ear up to the wall listening for the click of Rivens door. One I heard it I went to my bed and cried uncontrollably. Then there was a slight tapping at my window. I jerked up, it was Helia.