Yours Truly

Rain. That's what seemed to happen everyday. Rain. Rain. Rain. I didn't mind it, really. It was just depressing. The way the sky was always grey and gloomy. But it had a soothing, peaceful aura to it. I couldn't explain why, it just did.

I was sitting in the passenger seat of my sister's car for what seemed like a lifetime. We were on our way to our father's house in Los Angeles. After our mom's death, he decided that we shouldn't be alone in the house she died in and told us to come live with him. Well, that's what he told us but I knew a judge had made him do it.

"So." Courtney said breaking the silence between us. "You excited to see dad?" No I wasn't. He had abandoned us and let mom die. I'd be happier to see Satan. "Yup." I lied. "Thrilled."

Although I was looking out the window of the car, I could tell that she gave me a quick glance of disbelief. She knew I hated him. Ever since he left to be with his slutty girlfriend he cheated on mom with.

"Justin. How long are you gonna stay mad at him? He's our father. Mom forgave him. Why can't you?" I slowly turn my head and glared at her. "Don't talk to me about forgiveness. He doesn't deserve it. Not from me."

I turn my head back to the window. We passed a sign that says Beach half a mile. Our dad lived in a huge beach house. I never really spend much time inside because his girlfriend is always there.

Hallie drives down a long, twisty road surrounded by trees until we get to the house. She honks the horn twice and gets out of the car. A woman with short blonde hair comes running out smiling and hugs my sister.

"Look at you, Hallie! All grown up! How'ya been?" They make small talk for a few minutes and I slowly get out of the car. She turns to me and tries to hug me but I back away.

"Justin. You've grown. How old are you, now? Thirteen, fourteen?" I take a hair band off of my wrist and tie my auburn hair back into a low ponytail. "Seventeen." I cock my head up. "Is that close to the number of guys you bang on a daily basis? Not including my father."

I give her a sarcastic smile and brush past her. I walk up the long, zigzagging, wooden ramp and open the front door. I could hear my sister say "He didn't mean that." And yell out "Yes I did!" And close the door behind me.

The house smelled of flowers and sex. I really and truly hope they didn't have sex in my room. I head up stairs and turn a few hallways before meeting a door with a sign that read Justin's Room in bright, rainbow colors. I turn the handle and slowly open the door.

I was a little surprised when I saw how my room looked. I actually liked it. It was brightly colored and had posters of all my favorite artist in frames hanging on the wall. There was a keyboard next to my bed. I walked over and found that there was a note on it.

Hoping you still play.-Dad

I roll my eyes, ball the note up and throw in down. If this was his attempt to bond with me I wasn't going to give in to it. I hear someone call my name and rush downstairs.

It was Hallie. "What?" She gives me an annoyed look. "Dad will be here in a few minutes with dinner. He wants us to stay inside today." I fold my arms across my chest. "He's too lazy to cook us an actual dinner. And where's the slut?" I look around.

Hallie punches me in the chest. "Stop calling her that. She has a name." I roll my eyes and pull out my phone. I got a whole bunch of texts from random people from school wishing me good luck. I delete them.

"Look." She says, putting her hand on my shoulder. "I know this whole living with dad thing will take some getting used to. We have to adjust. I'm hurting too."

Just as I was about to speak, our dad walks through the door holding large bags of what smelled like chinese. Yaay...

"Glad to see you two are getting along. Get over here!" He puts the bags down and hugs Hallie. He then walks to me. "If you think I'm hugging you, you're wrong." He gives me a frown. " I wouldn't hug you if it cured cancer."

I take a box labeled eggrolls from one of the bags and head up to my room without speaking. I open the box and take a huge bite out of one of the eggrolls. This was my mom's favorite food. I could feel the tears streaming from my eyes. I know I would hate it here. I already do.