Compelled By Love

Compelled By Love

Chapter One-Welcome To My Life

~Ethan

Thunder echoed outside, lightning crashed and wind rattled our small wooden house. The house was dark, all except one lone light in the kitchen. The front door slammed open and there was dad. I slowly crept down the stairs to get a better view of them.

            “Stan, you’re late.” Mom said, concern in her eyes, “Please tell me you weren’t out drinking.”

            “What’s the big deal?” Dad slurred, leaning against the doorway. “I can’t do anything right, can I?”

            “Not when you’re like this.” Mom said coldly, glaring into his eyes, “You don’t have to see yourself like this! Do you know how hard this is on me?”

            “It’s not easy being a failure, Joanna! But you wouldn’t understand, would you?” Dad yelled back.

            “What are you trying to say?” Mom asked, pain in her eyes as she noticed me. “Ethan, what are you doing up honey?”

            “Why are you fighting?” I asked, my voice wavering. She rushed over to me and smoothed down my hair, whispering words of comfort. I was six years old.

-

            It’s dark outside, the weather in turmoil. I vaguely hear the door bang open and Dad’s boots hit the hardwood floor from my spot on the couch in the darkened living room. Beside me, Mom sadly shook her head as tears brimmed in her weary eyes. It’s been ten years, and it’s still the same every single night. To be honest, it’s ridiculous. Dad’s tearing this family apart, and doesn’t even care.

            “Why, Stan?” Mom asked wearily as she walked around him. Ever since my little sister Jenny died a few years ago, Dad drank more and Mom dove into an even heavier depression.

            “You know why.” Dad muttered, plopping down on the couch and looking sadly at a picture of Jenny on the wall. “Even God thinks I’m not worth it—he took my little girl from me…”

            “It’s not like you took care of her in the first place, dad.” I snapped, getting up and walking out the door.

-Alina

            “You forgot, didn’t you?!” My boyfriend, Aaron snapped. I winced at the anger in his sea green eyes.

            “I…I’m sorry. I can go grab some quick?” I offered timidly.

            “Now you’re just wasting my time, Alina. What part of ‘bring movies tonight’ is so hard to understand?”

            “I’m sorry.” I mumbled, looking down at my hands.

            “God Alina, I can’t rely on you for anything!” He yelled, punching the steering wheel in irritation.

            “I guess not.” I quietly agreed, a lump forming in my throat.

            “Get out.” He ordered, pulling to a stop on a random street corner. I hesitated slightly, struggling with my seatbelt. Aaron forcibly freed it from me and gripped my wrist tightly, slapping me across the face with enough force to make a grown man cry—but I didn’t dare. I grabbed my bag and stepped out into the pouring rain, no clue where I even was. “Stupid bitch.” He sneered, peeling off into the night.

            I started walking forward, my face on fire. I didn’t know where I was going, I had no insight whatsoever on my whereabouts. Thunder and lightning illuminated the sky and all I felt was numb inside. There was only one person I could even call, and I had too much pride to. Noah would just say ‘why don’t you dump him?’ and act all disappointed in me. I don’t need to be an even bigger disappointment than I already am. I walked a few more blocks and realized I was near Noah’s anyway. I had all the time in the world since I wasn’t exactly staying at Aaron’s tonight.

            As usual, I came right in and headed towards his room. I found him staring dully ahead of him, pain in his eyes and a half-full bottle of vodka in his hand. He glanced up at me, taking in the wet clothes and vulnerability deep in my eyes. He half-smiled a patted the bed, inviting me to join him. He passed me the bottle and I took a long swig.

            “You shouldn’t take that kid’s crap, Alina.” He commented, his voice raspy and low, as always.

            “You aren’t the one he hits.” I reminded softly. He closed his eyes and shook his head slowly, playing with his lip ring.

            “I like the hand print he left on your face.” He said, shooting me a look. “I’m going to do something about him someday.”

            “Heh, I’m sure you are.” I said, rolling my eyes. “Love hates me.”

            “Yeah, I think we’re on its blacklist.” He agreed with a smirk.

            “I need somewhere to crash tonight—I can’t deal with what waits for me at home.” I confessed.

            “Welcome to my life.” Noah said, chuckling and patting my knee, “You know you can stay. You always can.”

            “Thanks, Noah.” I replied, hugging him, “I can always count on you.”

            “Hey, none of that sappy crap.” He teased, smiling nonetheless.