Blondie | Steve Harrington

VII

Eloise

Waking up to the sound of screaming isn't always an enjoyable wakeup call but to me? I've been getting used to it. Words flew out of my father's mouth faster than you can say a singular word, even though the thoughts in my head tell me to go rip him away from Susan and make this all end for her before she has the idea of leaving just like my mother did and abandoning Max. Instead, I've been standing frozen in fear in the hallway praying to God that Max does not exit her room and witness her mother pinned against the wall with tears threatening to fall down her cheeks to show weakness and fear.

"You!" snapping my mind out of the frozen trance, the yelling my attention is grasped quickly from me as my body is dragged into the hallway by my upper arm "Spying on an adult conversation is for children! I don't want to ever look down that damn hallway and see you wondering what the hell is going on out here since none of it is your business in the first place!" Shoving my body against the wall mimicking the actions towards Susan he placed his hand firmly against the wall slamming it and making me jump he stared me in the eyes with nothing but a cold and empty soul. "I wasn't spying on either of you." I mumble "I-I'm getting ready to meet up with some friends." I stuttered out trying to distract and move the conversation away from the previous topic.

Scoffing, my father placed his hand on my cheek allowing my body to react in fear "Your male friends?" my eyes opened in disbelief as if he had been watching my every move. "You whoring yourself around just like your pathetic mother?"

I shake my head not wanting to speak another word in case it all comes out wrong and the words of my mother's past come blurting out of my mouth. "Neil, she's just going to meet up with some of her new friends. That's all she's doing." Susan backed me up with the words I wish I could say to the monster who stood in front of me.

He watched as Susan slowly made her way over hoping that nothing would cause him to react in a way no one wants their father to be in. Speaking ever so soon the palm of his left hand came towards my face as it left my cheek before contact allowing the gold band around his finger to press deeply beside my eyelid making my fast reaction to holding my hand to my eye. "Neil!" was loudly screamed as Susan helped me regain my balance from the force. "If I ever so catch a damn boy in that room of yours a palm to your cheek isn't the only thing that will be turning red." with the cold stoned voice he had, he left those words with me as he exited out of the house slamming our door closed allowing to glass cups in the cupboard to shake. "I'm so sorry sweetie." Susan's soft voice rang through my ears as she softly ran her hand down my hair ever so calmly. Moving my head away from the floor my eye began to pulsate with a rush of blood allowing it to swell.

Helping me over to the table, Susan pulled out a chair so I could sit down as she insisted on an icepack and a bottle of Tylenol with water down in front of me. "Oh gosh," she whispered to herself as she sat down pulling her chair in front of me and wrapping the ice in a cloth before softly holding it to my face. "Sweetheart I-"

Before she could say anything else I shake my head as I take over the icepack which now sits on my eye gently. "Don't worry about it." Sighing I reached over grabbing the pills from her hand as my hand shook placing each one in my mouth followed by water "I tried to come and help you I tried. It's just-"

She cut me off holding my hand "I know, I know sweetie. Don't be sorry for something you had no control of happening."

"Can I ask you something?" My eyes shoot up and look at her as she leans back into the chair nodding. "You won't leave her will you?"

Her brows furrow in confusion not understanding what I meant "Max. If you decide to leave here please take her with you." Taking the ice pack off my eye and placing it on the table I grab her hands "The worst thing I ever had to go through was my mom leaving me and my brother behind and never coming back to get us. Please don't leave Max if you ever have to get out of this house and let me tell you, I won't blame you if you do. If I could I would too."