STELLA
I look around our house one last time.
Everything has been cleared.
Boxes have been stacked into vans and our house looks as empty as the day we first entered it.
We moved in ten years ago—my parents, my older brother, and myself. Riven and I had been dragged all the way here as we were forced to leave all our old friends behind.
Our parents didn't seem to care much about our opinions on the move.
Though the decision was made in hopes to be a positive change to our parent's marriage, it didn't work out.
Our mum was too busy working and our dad, well, we rarely ever saw our dad. On most days and nights, it was Riven and I left alone together.
Over the years, our parents began to argue. They'd blame each other for the lack of care Riven and I received. They'd fight over money—though my brother and I would never get any—since it always seemed to disappear.
They hated the decision they made to move.
It didn't take them long before they divorced.
At age 10, my brother and I had found out that our dad had moved on with another woman and they had a baby on the way. Our mother wanted us to have a relationship with our half-sibling, but neither one of us cared to.
By then, my brother and I were already in high school and we realised that we didn't need our parents.
We had each other.
We had our friends.
Quite frankly, that was more than enough for us.
We did end up getting into more and more trouble at school but it was okay because our parents were never really around to deal with us.
Mum was working whenever she had to, though it wasn't much as Riven and I brought in the money, and was out on days she needed to be. Dad had become a distant memory at that point. He was too busy with his new family to care about his old one.
So it came as a surprise when I saw him standing outside the empty house.
My older brother nudges his shoulder with mine as he comes to stand beside me.
"Fuck knows why she's invited him over. Let's say a quick goodbye to him and we'll both be on our way."
Riven mutters as he offers me his hand.
I nod at my brother as I curl my fingers around his. Even at eighteen years old, my brother doesn't hesitate to hold my hand, and I'm so grateful for that.
I don't know what I'd do without him.
Hand-in-hand, we walk through the house before we step outside. We spot Mum speaking to a man in a suit as Riven and I walk over to our father.
"We're leaving now."
I say bluntly. Riven repeats the same exact words and we don't bother to add anymore.
Barely giving him the chance to respond, I turn to walk away when he reaches out and tries to hold me. He tries to touch me. He tries to grab me. Riven pulls me away at once and wraps his arms around my body.
My heart has already begun to race in my chest.
"What the fuck are you doing?!"
My brother spits venomously at him. Our father winces but we pay it no attention.
Riven keeps his arm wrapped around my waist as he holds my body close to his.
My body is flushed at the sudden touch.
No, no, no.
Mum must realise that something is wrong because she runs over and takes me from Riven and tucks me under her side. I keep my face against her neck so I don't have to look at anyone.
I'm already feeling lightheaded.
"I wanted to apologise. For everything. I wasn't there for any of you. I was a bad husband and a bad father. I wasn't there for you when—"
My vision goes blurry and I grab my head.
Riven shouts and Mum tries to get things back under control.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
The shouting doesn't stop.
"Don't you dare bring that up! You have no right! Don't you fucking dare apologise now that we're leaving!"
I'm shaking.
Wetness rolls down my face as I pull away from mum to look over at my brother. Wrapping my arm around his, I tug him away as we begin to walk towards the car.
I don't bother to look at our father.
"Leave it, Riven. He's not worth it. He left us struggling and he only gives a shit about us now because he won't ever see us again. Let's go."
Riven nods as he wraps his arm around my side. We walk towards his car and I can't help but feel sadness at the situation.
How many years have I wanted to confront him, tell him how I really feel about him?
Before we can enter the car, I acknowledge my father one last time.
I turn to meet his eyes and with a strong voice, I speak.
"I hate you so much."
His face drops completely with my words and I force myself to swallow away my tears.
I won't cry for him; I won't cry any longer.
Riven guides me back around as he opens the car door for me. Once I'm seated, my brother kneels as he wraps his arm around me, holding me, hushing me and stroking my hair.
"It's going to be okay, Stella. We're going to be okay."
He repeats the words to me over and over again until I'm finally able to breathe clearly. Once I've stopped crying, I pull away from him and wipe my eyes.
"Thank you."
I mutter out as he shoots me a small smile. He knows how awkward I can get after moments like these.
Riven steps backwards as he shuts the door before moving around to get into the driver's seat. We sit in silence for a few minutes before Mum finally gets into the car with us.
She lets out a heavy sigh before leaning forward to put a hand on my shoulder. I brush it off of me as I grit my teeth.
"I'm fine."
I say, clearly annoyed with the sudden affection I've receiving.
She pulls her hand away from me and when I look in the mirror, I see her looking down, an expression of sadness washed over her face.
I should feel guilty for making her feel like this but I'm not.
She's equally to blame for everything.
"Are we ready to go?"
Riven asks as he adjusts his mirrors.
Mum speaks out from the backseat.
"Drive, Riven. The earlier we get to the airport, the better."
It's not fair on any of us, not really.
We all tried our best to start a new life here but things got in the way and now we're being forced to move again.
I just hope that this new chapter is better for all of us.
