The Bad Boy Across The Street (ON HOLD)

Eight- Men: Walking Drama Magnets

I slowly turn around and walk back down the stairs gingerly. When I reach the bottom I peek around the doorway reluctantly. I can see him standing in the kitchen making a sandwich.

"Brice?" he calls again. I grimace.

"Yeah, Dad?" I awkwardly say. He turns around to face me with a smile on his face. What the hell?

"I just wanted to see if you were okay," he says with the smile still on his face.

I clear my throat uncomfortably and shuffle my feet. I haven't been asked this question in a long time and I don't know how to respond.

Oh yeah, I'm totally fine! Not like you practically have abandoned me since your wife died and we barely have talked except for you yelling at me drunk! Or that our new neighbors' kid is a jerk that tries to make my life a living hell!

Yeah, not the best way to start off a conversation.

I just shrug as an answer. He still looks at me and guilt starts to show in his expression.

"I, um, have a lot of uh, homework," I say. "So, uh..." I jerk my thumb behind my shoulder to signify I'm going upstairs. He nods, a little disappointed at my dismissal.

"Oh. Alright," is all he says and I practically sprint up those stairs and into my room. I slam the door and just stand there for a moment dumbfounded.

Why the hell was he acting like he cares about me? And how dare he act guilty! What is going on?

He leaves for about a week and a half then suddenly shows up and acts like a different person? Is he trying to make me feel bad for him?

My head fills with questions, then one weird thought pops into my mind. What will Tony think?

Woah! Slow down there brain! Why would I care about what Tony says? And even if I did how would he find out my dad is an alcoholic? My father's never here except at night. Weekdays he's at work all day and comes home late so he doesn't see me. Weekends he's at the bar until they kick him out.

I decide to do my homework to distract me. It doesn't work that well. I only need to half pay attention to the math problems and my English paper on Shakespeare. I finish everything and sigh.

Men. Or a better name: Walking Drama Magnets.

Change into some plaid pajama pants, not bothering to change my shirt also. I grab the new book I'm reading and sit at my desk again.

A few minutes of trying to read, my stomach rumbles loudly. I look up and see it's already gotten dark. Huh, time flies when you're avoiding your dad.

I hesitantly crack open my door and look down the hallway. The door to my father's room is shut and I quietly open the door fully and creep out, feeling like a complete idiot sneaking around my own house.

I make it down stairs without a hitch but then look left into the living room and see lights flashing to show the tv is on. I sigh exasperatedly. He can't even turn the fricking tv off?

"Brice?"

I freeze. I thought he was in his room! Abort mission! Abort mission! Code red!

"Brice? What are you doing?" my dad asks confused. I curse under my breath then tell him I was getting something to eat.

"Oh. There's some spaghetti I made on the stove if you want," he says. Wait, he cooked?

"Ok," I say. "Thanks." I quickly walk to the kitchen and get a bowl of the food. I try to dash upstairs without anymore conversation but my luck shows itself again.

"Brice, can I talk to you?" My dad is standing in the kitchen doorway, blocking my only escape. Well there is the window, but I'm not that desperate.

"Umm... sure?" I say but it comes out more as a question than a statement.

"Maybe you want to sit on the couch?" he asks. That window is starting to sound more appealing now.

"Yeah," I manage. What's wrong with me? Why can't I just talk normally? I'm not scared of him.

But you're scared of talking to him.

You know what brain? I think it's time for you to shut the hell up.

My father motions for me to walk ahead of him. Damn it. Now I can't run. If only I could jump out the window without hurting myself. If only I was Batman or one of the Shield's master assassins. If only.

I suppress a sigh of sadness for not being an awesome superhero and walk to the living room. Why was I cursed with being a useless and puny mortal? Such a cruel world we live in.

"Brice," my dad starts with a sigh. "I-"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound of someone knocking on the door interrupts whatever my father was about to tell me. Thanks be to my heaven sent hero! Whoever they may be, I shall be eternally grateful!

"I'll get it!" I practically shout, anxious to get away from my father. I run out of the room and take a left into the narrow hallway towards the front door.

I throw the door open with a rare smile on my face, ready to hug the person that saved me from the horrors of being in a room alone with my dad. But alas, my unexspected short burst of luck has run out. There in the doorway was no savior. Of course Chris Evens couldn't have been the one to save me. Noooooo. Instead of a knight in shining armor I get an idiot in tinfoil.

There stood Tony. And as only one surprise can't be enough for me, he had multiple cuts on his face and a bruise was starting to form on his jaw. Damn it. And I was really hoping for Chris Evens.

~Hey!

Sorry I haven't updated in a while! Dance practice and homework. But on the bright side competition is this week then our recital is in two weeks! Then I am finished! But that is also depressing when I think about it...

I'm so excited! I get to go to Japan with one of my best friends this summer!!

On the side is Liam Neeson who I picture as Brice's dad. He is so badass.

Anyways Tell me how you liked it!!