Eccedentesiast

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Abditory- A place into which you can disappear, a hiding place.

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K A S H T O N

I drop my arms and lean my head back as I try to catch my breath. My heart pounds repeatedly and every muscle in my arm screams at me to stop, I know I should but I don't. I take a final breath before flinging my head to the side, trying to get the hair out of my face. Someone yells at me but I don't really pay attention as I begin to throw punches again. Though before I can continue for long, something hits me on my left shoulder. I drop my arms again and let out a frustrated sigh, I look at my water bottle on the floor then up at Carter. His arms are crossed, right foot taping and he gives me a hard glare. "It's time for you to go home."

"Give me a minute," I mutter to him before continuing.

Carter comes up and stands between me and the bag, making me stop my movements.

"Boy, you said that an hour ago," he continues to glare and I mimic his look. "You are going to over work yourself, you've been here all damn day. Now you have ten minutes to clean up and get out of here before I kick you out myself." Carter leaves before I can protest. I take my gloves up and pick up my water, chugging down the whole thing not realizing how thirsty I was. I make my way into the locker room, shoving my things into my bag and head to take a shower. Once finished, I swing my bag over my shoulder and make my way about out.

Carter leans against the front desk but pushes himself off when he sees me approach, an approved look on his face. He slaps a hand on my back, "say hi to your mom for me."
I mumble an alright to him before I leave the gym. In the car I shove my bag into the back seat before I leave the parking lot. I can start to feel my muscles begin to tighten and I curse myself under my breath knowing how sore I'll be tomorrow. Ten minutes later I reach home but I don't go inside. The car is off but I keep my hands on the steering wheel, I don't move an inch. I don't know why I don't but in reality, deep down I know why I never want to go inside, I just don't want to admit it to myself. I get the courage to finally go inside, all the lights are on and the house is silent until I get further down the hall.

Giggles and screams come from my little siblings as they do who knows what. "Kashton," I turn and look at my mothers small fragile structure. "You're home," She hugs me and I freeze but slowly hug her back when the guilt makes its way through me. I'm hardly ever home when everyone is awake and you can tell it's hard on her. She gives me a tired smile when she pulls away and brings a cold hand up to my cheek. "You look just like your father."

The pain makes me look away but I'm quick to cover it up. "Why don't you go to bed," I take her hand off my face. "I'll take care of them." I nod to the kitchen.

"That won't be necessary," she continues to smile. "What about you? Are you hungry? There's food in the fridge if you are."

"Kash!" I turn my head at the sound of my little sister, I smile and pick her up.

"Hey princess, I missed you."

"I missed you too," she grins at me, her front tooth missing making it hard to speak. She grabs a strand of her hair and twirls it around her finger, the tips of her light hair now purple. "Look what mama did to my hair, isn't it pretty?"

"It's beautiful, but guess what, it's time for you to go to bed."

She lays a head on my shoulder, "do I have to?"

"Yes," I take a last glance at my mom before heading up the stairs to Kate's room. "But I promise you tomorrow we can stay up and watch a movie."

In her room I set her down on her bed, she's quick to get under her covers, clearly ready to sleep. "Really?"

"Yes really," I move and lean against the door frame. "You brushed your teeth?" She rolls her eyes and nods. "Alright, good night."

"Night Kash." I turn off her light and close the door, leaving it open just a little. Back downstairs I find mom in the kitchen, unpacking a box. I tell her again to go to bed and after going back and forth a little she finally agrees. I look at the box of plates and bowls she was putting into the cabinet. It's weird to me, moving old things into something new. I finish the box, hoping to help her a little before heading downstairs.

"Aye look who it is," a voice calls, making me backup. "Finally decided to show up little bro?" I don't respond. "You know, you can't keep hiding. You can't keep avoiding all of us when mom needs you the most just so you can throw yourself a pity party," Lewis snarls.

I walk away, not having the energy to fight with him right now, "like you're any better." I mutter, slamming his door behind me.

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Little bit of a shorter chapter, don't worry it's going to get better. Any thoughts?

~ Paislee 💕