Pretty Boy- discontinued sorryyyy

• Chapter Ten •

Alex was surprisingly good at cooking. Wildly chaotic, don't get me wrong but his pancakes were really fucking good. Only Ellie, Ethan, and Jayden actually came down to help, Owen disappearing after going off to drag them down. And of course the drama queen himself didn't bother to show until food was actually done.

"Perfect Aiden! It's like you were born to cook!" Alex exclaims looking over at the batter I've mixed together.

"I literally just stirred all the ingredients together, I wouldn't call that cooking."

"But," Alex smiles, "we couldn't make anything if you hadn't mixed it all together! It's a crucial step and you've completed it!" I just chuckle and hand the bowl over to Ethan who is helping El pour all the pancakes into the pan.

"Thanks Alex, what else do we need to do?"

"Welll," he dramatically draws out his words as if in deep thought, "I'll be in-charge of flipping the pancakes, maybe you could start getting plates and such ready at the table?!" I nod with a small smile before following his instructions and navigating through the extremely messy kitchen.

"Are you done yet? I'm starving," Blake's voice coming out more like a whine.

"Patience dear brother, patience," Alex retorts in a fake posh accent, "we are nearly done, no thanks to you of course"

Blake, being the eloquent communicator that he is responds with a scoff and an eye roll.

About five minutes later Alex flips over the final pancake and we waste no time digging into our creations, ignoring the extreme mess of the kitchen in favor of food.

"This is really good Alex," Ellie mumbles through a mouthful of pancake, "you should make all our meals."

"Hey! Is my cooking not good enough for you?!" Jayden laughs out, repeating Blake's words for dinner but without the anger behind them.

"Sorry," Ellie shrugs out but with her mouth still full it comes out extremely muffled and I let out a quick laugh watching her along with everyone else.

Alex, thankfully noticing my small appetite, only gave me one pancake without me having to say anything. I slowly chew each small bite trying to eat as much as I can so I don't draw more attention to myself here. Owen still hasn't joined us for a meal, I've only ever really seen him eat at the mall... come to think of it Alex didn't even bother to make him a plate. I'll just ask him about it later.

Despite Blake's bitchy attitude breakfast is going well. Too well. I can feel something about to happen before it even does, my body going stiff with anticipation.

And then Blake reaches across the table for the syrup. But instead of picking it up his hand "accidentally" knocks the open bottle over, spilling it all over my shirt.

"What the fuck!!" I jump up, knocking my chair over in surprise, feeling the sticky syrup with every move I make.

"Oops," yea sure real sincere Blake. Everyone freezes for a moment not sure what to do as a stand there dripping in this disgusting sugar. Finally Jayden at least says something.

"Blake what the fuck?"

"What it's not like I meant to?"

"I'm not an idiot! I was giving you some slack cause I know this is hard for you right now but you can't just be a complete asshole Blake! You're a fucking adult, act like one."

"Whatever, they can't just waltz in here after all this time and pretend like their family Jayden! I'm done with all this fake family bullshit! They aren't my family, and they sure as hell aren't yours." I see Ellie flinch at his words and I step forward. I hate him. I really fucking hate him. Ellie deserves this. She deserves a family.

"Don't worry I don't wanna be your "family" anyways." My voice is low, trying to cover my fear, "who'd wish to be related to such a prick."

His glare hardens as he turns his head back towards me, "you think you're so tough don't you? You're nothing more than a pretty boy without a family." I stumble back my courage completely gone as he says that.

Carson

Shit, shit I need to get out of here. I can't break down in front of them all.

Turning around to hide the tears in my eyes and rush up the stairs, wishing I had the courage to slam my door or even just the energy to be angry. I just feel fear. I shut the door gently, carefully pulling off my shirt at straight up throwing it away. There's not saving it with that much syrup on it. I collapse onto my bed, hugging my knees to my chest and trying to block out all the memories.

Pretty boy.

Come on pretty boy, you know you like it.

I've got ears everywhere.

He's already found me. How did Blake know just the thing to say to hurt me, is he... no he can't be working with Carson. Not after everything Carson has done to me. Even if he hates me Blake wouldn't.. he couldn't.

He's going to hurt Ellie.

You'll never be safe.

I dig my nails into my arm, trying to ground myself to reality. Trying to pull myself away from the memories. I can feel the trickle of blood from where my nails dug into my skin but it's not enough. It's never enough to keep me safe.

I hear the shouting continue downstairs but I can't make anything out. I need to put a shirt on. I can't let anyone see this, see me. I stumble over to the dresser, leaning onto it for support as I look for another long sleeved shirt.

And then the door clicks open.

"Aiden, he didn't mean that I-" Alex stops in his tracks, all the blood draining from his face as he looks over my scarred body.

Fuck.