There's Always Second Chances

Introduction

"Adrian!" called out my younger sister. The room was filled with giggles as she jumped onto my bed. "Adrian! It's morning!" her voice chimed again. I kept my eyes closed, fighting the smile that wanted to appear. I felt her lean in really close before I pulled her into a big hug. I started tickling her sides and my heart swelled at the sound of her laughter.

"Addy stop!" she called out. I stopped and let her catch her breath. I loved making her laugh. It was always my goal to make my family happy especially since Dad walked out on us. I heard a low rumble of a car. Moments a heavy banging at the door interrupted the silence. I hastily tugged on some shorts and walked out to see Mum telling Jess to go and get the kids and take them out the back. 

I scowled. I knew exactly who it was. "Lauren I know you're in there." called out a voice. Dad. Mum opened the door when she knew the kids were out of sight. Jess and I could handle whatever happened but the younger ones would end up being scared. "Adrian! How nice to see you." remarked my Father barging passed my Mother. 

Sneering, I pushed him away. "Don't touch me." I snapped. I wasn't in the mood for his games. Especially not when he keeps trying to get me to live with him. The laugh that came out of him was bitter and he just smirked at my defiance. Everything I did seemed to be defiance in his eyes. I couldn't do anything right. 

He turned to face my Mum with balled fists. "I need more money Lauren. You know how good to me you are," he cooed. I saw Mum shaking as he lurched towards her. "No." she responded timidly. I hated what he did to her. I hated that she was being abused constantly by this prick. He never got the hint that we didn't want him around and we didn't want him to keep coming back. I knew he never really cared about any of us. 

We were born just so he could appease Mum and make her stay with him. I watched as he raised his hand, readying to hit her. Within a blink, I had placed myself between him and Mum and took the brunt of the hit. I opened my eyes, I was now facing towards the way I was just standing. Looking back into the face of my Father I saw the smug look on his face. I wanted to wipe it off so bad. 

"Look at little protector Adrian." he cooed bitterly. Protecting my Mum was merely a pathetic joke to him. "Mum go to Jess." I stated. I didn't want her to accidentally get caught up in this. I didn't want to even think about what would happen if she got hurt. Just as she was about to leave from behind me, he reached out to trap her wrist in his hand. 

I grabbed his wrist and stopped him. "Get the fuck out of our house," I snapped. I had little to no patience left with him. He swung his right arm to punch me. I ducked and I extended my own punch towards his face. He still looked smug as he wiped away the blood trickling from his lip. A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. "I'll fucking kill you the next time I see you." he snarled before pushing me backwards. 

He left in a fit of rage and once again we were safe. At least until the next time he came barrelling into the house. "Let me look at you," Mum cooed pulling me towards her. The saddened look in her eyes was heartbreaking to say the least. I was sat down on one of the bar stools in the kitchen as she dabbed at the cut on my face. Was it wrong that I was used to this? 

"He means it you know." she started to say but I hushed her. I knew what she was going to say. Things about how he's going to press charges and try and declare her an unfit Mother. I also knew that he wasn't saying an empty threat. For all I knew he would beat me within an inch of my life the next time we crossed paths. As soon as she finished patching me up, she smiled weakly. 

"I'll be going out to do some errands, look after the little ones." she said. It was less of a request and more of a order. She was scared that he'd follow through on that twisted promise of his. I didn't know what she was going to do. I just know that she was going to go out on her own and I didn't like the idea of that. "I don't want you to go by yourself. What if he's waiting for you?" I asked. 

Maybe he was waiting in his truck across the street, hoping that he'd catch Mum as she's coming out. Or even one of the little ones. "I'll take Jess and I'll call you when I get there. Okay?" she seemed to know what to say to lessen my worries. At least I know Jess can handle herself. And I know she can scream really loud just in case there's trouble. Mum kissed the top of my head before leaving with Jess. I looked towards my younger siblings who had wide eyes and pouting lips.

"Let's watch a movie?" I suggested. I ushered them towards the living room and built a pillow fort. I hoped that this was going to calm them down and forget about what happened earlier. 

Hours went by and I fretted that the worst had happened to Mum. She didn't call like she said she would. I paced back and forth, my eyes switching between watching the door and watching my younger siblings's sleeping figures. The door clicked open and I immediately calmed down upon seeing my Mum and Jess step through into the hallway. 

They were chattering happily between the two of them. It made me happy that they had relaxed. I busied myself with taking the bags from them and put them in the kitchen. "Put the kettle on Adrian," Jess mused with a soft smile. I nodded and flicked the switch on. I left the kettle to boil as I put away the stuff they bought in the cupboards and neatly folded up the clothes they bought on the table. "Real little housewife you are," joked Jess coming in to make the tea. 

"Shut up," I grumbled. She laughed and nudged me. "What girl wouldn't want you?" she teased me further. "I said shut up," I responded with a frown. I sat down in the chair at the kitchen table. Mum sat in front of me on the opposite side. "Have a look at this," she said placing a booklet in front of me. On the front of it was some large looking school. I realised once I looked through it, that it was a brochure for a boarding school. 

I hoped she could tell by the look on my face that I didn't know what was going on. "I know you're confused but I spoke to Mr Johnson and he suggested that instead of charges, I'd send you away to this school." she spoke softly. I frowned. I couldn't take my eyes off of the fees. It was too expensive and we didn't have that sort of money. 

"It's a lot of money. Why can't I stay at the one I'm at?" I asked. Mum looked at me with a worried smile. "I know. We're doing this as a precaution to what you're Dad said. Not to mention you're suspended for getting into a fight," she murmured. I nodded. I felt a little sheepish. The fight at school wasn't exactly my fault.

I looked over it again. I noticed the scholarship option. It would be decided on the level of work they could produce. "What about Dad? What will happen if I'm gone?" I asked. I didn't want to even think about the possibilities. He could come and try and take Jess and the others. He could try and hurt Mum. 

Mum placed a soothing hand over mine. "It's okay Adrian, we're going to be okay. I know it's expensive but you need a clean slate. I looked down at the papers, seeing the application tucked behind the other sheets of paper. I guess I did need the fresh start. Everyone at school seemed to know what was going on between my family and my Dad. They also seemed to make fun of the fact that I'm not well off like they are. 

We spent hours making sure we knew everything about this school. It was 4 years of intensive education and I wouldn't be finishing the school until I was almost 19. I watched as Mum put my information in the boxes and ticked any requirements that I might need. I just realise something. "I won't be coming back during the holidays will I?" I asked. Mum shook her head. 

4 years no Mum or kids or annoying older sister. I didn't like the sound of that. "I'll miss you," I murmured. Mum laughed, something she rarely did now. "We haven't even sent the forms off yet," she mumbled. I shrugged. I guess I just like it here. I like looking after them as boring as it sounds. I didn't care. I preferred that they were looked after than Mum having to stress about doing everything. 

If this is for the best then I hope I get accepted into this school.