4. Hangovers

Chapter 4 - Hangovers

Monday 22, 2005

  My morning routines go something like this... It was usually my brother who woke me up and I would instantly groan and wish that the sun no longer existed. I despised the sunlight that crept its way through my blinds. I had the tendency to blast my music as I got ready. It was the only way for my body to function at the early hour.

 I spent a small bit of time doing my hair. It was usually wavy with a single small braid that was tied down in the back of my head. If there ever happened to be a day when a person saw me with a different look to my hair, it would mean one thing; I was dead.

 This particular Monday morning wasn't as bad as the other Mondays I had experienced before in the past. I was a tad bit anxious to see how today would plan out to be. Especially because of the simple fact of what happened yesterday with Alex and I. Today I shall deem it to be interesting, hopefully it would be.

  I'd probably be devastated if Alex treated me differently from what he was like yesterday. But it was his problem and not mine if he was, right?

  All this boy crap. I had never been the one to be attracted to a boy like this ever. Now, I was beginning to wish I had a girl best friend. Hell, even a mother would be nice. It appeared that I was all alone on this one.

 Speaking of my mother, it's time to talk about her, isn't? She left my family when I was in the first grade, right after my older sister was brutally murdered. I don't remember much of the day nor do I even much of my sister. My father and brother told me stories of the day, but somethings just don't add up.

 One of the 'somethings' being that the crook who invaded our house hadn't been captured and at this point I don't think he will ever be. Or maybe it was a her.

  I vaguely remembered what I saw. I think he was wearing a black suit or maybe was it gray? It hurt to think about it, especially within the heart. Her name was Kenzie. She was just sixteen when the tragic event happened. My brother was just only in fifth grade at the time.

  But on with Kenzie, she was the light of my parents’ lives. She was on the track team and had a full and great life ahead of her. She was in her sophomore year and everyone knew her and loved her very much. I had always craved that type of attention secretly but it seemed too impossible for me. She volunteered on the weekend at the local pet shelter along with the elderly housing care. So sweet and kind - something l would never be even if I tried my hardest.

  Everyone was heartbroken and when I say everyone, I mean everyone at school and around hometown. Practically, everyone I knew.

 My brother and I started to gain pity and sympathy from everywhere we looked and turned to. The places we went to, it seemed everyone heard about it. Some were strangers that were 'touched' by the story. Or at least that was what they all said. My parents discussed about moving and getting away from the town that held so much memory of her.

   That was when my parent's relationship went downhill. My dad over the two months couldn't seem to let go of his first daughter. My mother kept a strong face, but could no longer take it anymore so she packed her bags and high ended it. Leaving my brother and I with our grieving dad.

  My father picked himself up and became a workaholic, quitting his dream of being a writer. There were weeks where my dad didn't come home. So my brother took on the role of 'Dad and Mom'. He cooked and cleaned along with walking me to school. And that was that.

 Or at least that was what I was told. Again with being little and half of things were splotchy in my mind.

  Although it was still a part of my personal Hell, it was with me anywhere I went. Like I said with the one AM thinking that makes you sad within. My one AM thinking turns into my morning thinking. Lunch thinking. After school thinking. Evening thinking. Then back to night thinking. The one spitting image of the slaughter and blood was seamed into my brain. I was there when the stabbing with the knife happened, along with my mother.

  I cringed as I remembered the screams that still haunt me to this very day. I could hear them if I thought too hard. It was as if I could only hear them when I know I shouldn't dwell on it. It was in the past and it was not like I could bring her back to life. I needed to move on. Only if that was more likely to be possible. Personal hells have come into everyone's lives, but mine never seemed to be off my mind. It tore me down raw, to my full nakedness of vulnerable. I hid it without speaking most of the time.

  But back to my morning, I slipped into loose fitting jeans and a blue blouse with my black beat up converse.

 Derek was down in the kitchen eating away at his food. I poured myself a bowl of cereal and sighed at the Neopets plushie that was in the box - I already had it.

 "Can't say good morning?" Derek inquired. I scoffed as I sat down next to him.

"Can't say good morning?" I mimicked him with a devilish smirk.

  We ate in silence for a few minutes until he spoke up again. "Jessica will be over when you come home from school."

     "Great?" I was sorta confused to why he was telling me about this. I didn't even like his girlfriend. Hell, I had never liked any of his past girlfriends.

  My mind went back to Alex as Derek babbled about something relevant to Jessica. I really wanted someone's advice, but why was it until now I needed someone's opinion? I had always just needed mine and no one else. Sure, having my brother and I's great relationship had been a bonus, but I always been a one track mind.

"Are you even listening?" He cut my thoughts.

But I ignored his question and went ahead with my own.

"Derek?"

"Yes, Lalia?" He seemed annoyed.

   "How exactly did you know you like someone?" My question wasn't the best well thought out one I've ever had but it would do.

 "I'm not sure," He got up from his seat and put his bowl into the sink. "Is this about that boy I saw you walking with you?"

  He leaned against the counter with both of his arms, looking into my eyes as he waited for my answer. I bit down my lip and thought of something to say but simply couldn't think of anything. Curse me to not being able to communicate at this very moment.

"It is, isn't?" He shook his head in disappointment. "I want you to stay away from him."

  My mouth dropped from my brother's choices of words. I was shocked from his demand. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion and rage. It was unfair.

"Got me?" he nagged.

 Anger slowly crept through my body. My hands turned into tight fists. How dare my brother say something like that to me. Not once in my entire life had my brother ever seen me even walking with someone out of school and now he had the nerve to tell me to push him away?

All these years being told "Get out more!" and "Make some friends!"

    So now that there was potential for that and he just says no and to stay away?

       "That's no fair!" I shouted out in pure frustration that surprised Derek. "All these years telling me to make friends and now I shouldn't?"

    "Yeah, friends happen to be girls, Laila!" He yelled back at me. "End of discussion. Get your bag or you'll be late for school."

   I didn't speak a word during the ride to school. I couldn't describe the anger that was filling through my veins. It wouldn't be surprising if my face was bright red.

      All I could do was look out the window and watch the trees fly by. The morning sky was bleeding out oranges, pinks, and blues with clouds to compliment it.

 Sooner or later, we pulled up to the school and before I could even get out, my brother stopped me.

"What?" I snapped at him.

  "Just know that I love you, alright? And that I want I just want the best for you."

I scoffed and didn't bother to even reply back. I'd be damn if he thought he could control me. If he wanted what was best for me, he wouldn't have told me to stay away from a human being who had potential of being a friend.

 Well, Alex might not have potential but it wasn't not like Derek knew him, and maybe never will. Alex was probably no good and just a stupid idiotic boy who was trying to think he had a chance at something. But why would anyone want a chance with me? I was the girl who didn't speak to anyone but her dad and brother. This wasn't making any sense. Maybe it was best to stay away. Yeah, that was what I was going to do.

 It was now first period and Alex was nowhere to be found. The class was legitimately boring as hell and I found myself doodling away on my paper, not even caring if I got in trouble by fat old man - in which ends up happening.

 "What is this nonsense?" He yelled over the class' chatters, making everyone quiet and staring at me. God damnit.

  "Drawing?" He snatched the paper out my hand. I swear I could feel the red that was plastered on my face. His face looked at my work of art with disgust and he crumbled the paper. Making me rise out my seat, I wanted to say something, but didn't know what.

That was when Rian unexpectedly butted in. He stood up strikingly, his eyes glazed with fiery, his hands coiled into fist, and his face boiling hot.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" His yell almost terrified me, but the only thing I did was smirk. That was right old fat man...I had people defending me when I don't even have to speak.

"Rian Dawson," Fat man barked. "Take yourself to the office this instant!"

"For what? Defending her when you were antagonizing her?" He groaned and grabbed his book bag. The entire class clapped for him as he left, leaving me blushing as I sank back down into my seat.

"Settle down class. Settle down." Fat man was annoyed, rolling his eyes as he went back to his desk, and clearly embarrassed too.

Finally, the bell rang - coming to my rescue.

 Lunch flew by and there was still no Alex. Why was I still thinking about him? It was time to get him out of my mind. I started to work on my tiny project in art to occupy myself. I needed to get him off my mind. It couldn't be healthy.

  Art was one my favorite things to do besides to write. There was something about writing that I loved more than anything. Having an idea and expressing it into words was something beyond incredible. Writing about complex ideas and creating characters was a way I liked to express my speaking so to say. It was not just story telling either. Poetry or to writing about a mystery thriller. Or lyrics of a song was something that simple that related to writing. It was all expressing. Heartbreak or angst, it was all writing. And it was one of the few things I liked to do to occupy my mind with when things got tough.

 I was so caught up into the stroke of my pencil that I hadn't realized he walked into the class. The only way I really took notice was his obnoxious grunts. I peeked over at him, not even showing any expression.

  "What the fuck do you want?" He spat.

 I gave him the are-you-kidding-me look, but deep down inside it hurt. Yesterday was for nothing? I felt embarrassed by myself for ever thinking Alexander Gaskarth was ever a good guy. But that was not the truth one bit. He was a cold heart made by steel and a rude boy. Not even worthy of the title of a man.

 It was so very clear that he was recovering from a hangover. So much for the "it's for my roommate."

  The beers he bought was for him and he must have gotten wasted last night without a doubt. He really was bad news. He was like a full package deal when it came to trouble. And I wanted none of it.

 I stood up from my seat, taking my bag along with me. I handed Miss Berry-winkle a small hand-written note, stating I didn't feel well, which she believed and allowed me to go to the bathroom. So I stormed out of that room, knowing Alex's eyes were directly watching my back.

 But all I truly knew was that I owed my brother an apology. He was most certainly right about Alex somehow. I was not exactly sure how he even knew, but he did. Perhaps Alex had some type of reputation around here.

     Derek didn't know what to do as he thought about Laila and Alex. It wasn't good news. Not one bit. Something had to be done to prevent any friendship, even if this was a false alarm. Laila being around anyone outside of school is new and it wouldn't be taken lightly. Derek walked to his father's room, hoping his father had an idea.

"We need to stop this," Derek knew it was wrong of him, but couldn't take any chances. "She's with that Gaskarth boy."

Derek's father rubbed his chin, putting down his newspaper. They spend a good thirty minutes brainstorming of ways to protect Laila. Then they make their final decision. Hoping that plan ‘A’ won't be one big regret.

______

a.n

Lalia's room is on the side or is it above the chapter with the new update? Hmmm....

Vote and comment :)

-Kc May 31,2014

p.s- there's four more days of school left meaning I will have time to update this book more properly! Yay *throws confetti*