The Unusual Thoughts of November (On Hold)

Chapter Three

:- C H A P T E R  T H R E E -:

Leo knocks on the door. I know its Leo because Chris always tries to keep his distance from me.

“Come in,” I say. The door opens.

“Dinner,” he says shortly before leaving.

We all eat in silence. Come to think of it Leo has been quite quiet all day.

“Fuck this,” Chris breaks the silence. “I’m going for a drink,” Leo and I watch as he takes his plate to the sink and walks off. The slam of the door echoes through the flat. Leo stands up and leaves as well so I am the only one sitting at the small table in the kitchen. I don’t know what to do with myself. There’s nowhere to go in this shitty flat. Well, actually that’s not true. There is one place.

Sixth floor. Eyes locked onto the ground below. The cars look like matchbox toys. The wind gently strokes my hair away from my face. My right hand holds me up against the wall. I stand on the railings of the balcony. My heart pounds steadily. In my chest. In my head. Even in my fingertips. Adrenaline shoots through by body making me quiver. I feel so alive and it feels so, so good. Leo’s red car is parked around the back of the building. He worked so hard to buy that second hand red car. My bike is chained up next to it. Slowly, I sit down on the railing. The wind picks up and my heart beats faster. I shut my eyes. Everything spins slowly. I loosen my grip on the railings but as I do so a tighter grip spreads across my shoulder.

“Please don’t,” the voice is shaky and unsure. Its breath rattles. I turn slowly. The wind strokes Leo’s hair back too. He has the same expression I saw on his face in Andrea’s room. I smile.

“I wasn’t going to-”

“Please come down then.”

“Okay,” I whisper, swiveling myself around and landing gently on the balcony. He takes a step back as if he’s scared of me.

“Why?”

I don’t know why so I stay silent. Leo sighs.

“Come inside.”

The kettle bubbles, boiling water scalds the mugs and teabags bathe in the hot liquid.  Leo sets a mug down in front of me. It burns my mouth but I’m past the point of caring. Leo just looks into the mug. He opens his mouth to say something but suddenly the lock on the front door clicks. We both flinch. Chris is home, and he’s drunk.

“What are you two still doing up?” His words are slurred and aggression laces his voice.

“It’s only ten o’clock, Chris,” I mutter. He walks steadily over to me. His hand grasps viciously around a chunk of my hair, I hiss in pain.

“Shut. Up,” he says the words slowly with his mouth close to my ear. I flinch. “Stupid bitch. Do you think I even want you here?

“Let go of me,” I whisper.

“Just let go of her,” Leo adds.

“Oh, piss off Leo,” Chris’ voice raises and he pulls my hair tighter.

“LET GO OF HER,” Leo shouts it, standing now. He’s shaking and his breaths are shallow. Chris smiles.

“Fine,” he lets go of me. I rush over and hide behind Leo. “Just get out the both of you.” Leo follows me into my room. As he closes the door slowly the sound of Chris’ slamming can be heard simultaneously. Leo’s forehead grazes the door as a sigh of relief escapes his mouth.

“November?” He asks, the sound of his voice partially absorbed by the door.

“Yeah?”

“Can I sleep in your room tonight?”