Hiding in the Dark

Chapter 1

Waking up with yet another day without my little sister home, I drag myself out of bed. Today is the ten year anniversary from when my mother left our home with my sister. I still remember the day that mother came home from the doctors, delivering the news that she was pregnant with a girl. Even though I was only six at the time, I knew that it was hard on my mom that she only had sons; she always wanted a little girl that she could spoil. To be honest, that was all that my family wanted, including my five brothers. It hit Lorenzo the hardest when she left, mainly because he was the eldest child. None of us were the same.

Realizing that I was just standing next to my bed, I make my way to the bathroom before getting ready for school. I get dressed in my school uniform before going downstairs and getting something to eat.

In the kitchen, I see my father, Lorenzo, and Savio all on their phones while eating. Savio was only a year older than me, but Lorenzo was three years. The minutes I walk into the room, all of their heads turn to look at me.

"Good morning, mijo (son). Would you like for me to get the maid to make you breakfast?" my father asks. I've always hated the fact that he hired somebody to do all the chores in the house. Cooking is something that we could easily do on our own, but father thinks that it is "too much work".

"I'm okay. I'll just get a bowl of cereal." I say and go into the pantry before pulling out the Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Father shakes his head disapprovingly. "You need to eat more. Get some more fat and muscle on those bones. People will assume you are weak if you have that skinny appearance. Look at Lorenzo. Hell. He has a tough build and strong. Nobody would want to go anywhere near him with his intimidating appearance."

"Well, I am nothing like him so stop comparing us." I snap and begin eating the cereal.

"It would do you some good to be like him. Unlike you, he understands his responsibilities and what he must contribute to this family. Isn't that right, mijo?" Father says, placing his hand on Lorenzo's shoulder. He gives a quick nod, not even looking up from his phone.

"Lorenzo is 21 and in college now. I'm still in high school and have a year before having to 'contribute' to the family."

Father rolls his eyes. "That's not true. You are eighteen and could begin working now if you wanted. Just on the small stuff, of course, but it would make your transition to the business more smoother."

"I just want to focus on school right now. If I try to take on a job in the business, I'll probably begin to fall behind on school." I said, not mentioning the fact that I don't know if I want to work with family.

"Fine. Go get ready for school. Savio is going to drop you off today since your car is in the shop."

I place my bowl in the sink before going back up to my room. Grabbing my backpack, I place the books I need for the day and make my way back downstairs. Savio was waiting under the staircase and we silently go to the car.

The drive was filled with mindless chatter as Savio and I were not that close. We used to be when we were younger however when our sister left, we drifted apart. Savio now hung out more with Lorenzo and the twins and Luca hang out more with each other. I've always been on the sidelines since I never wanted to work with the family and never wanted to socialize.

It wasn't until he cleared his throat that I began to listen to what he was saying. "Lorenzo is dropping off the twins and Luca off at school today because I need to discuss something with you."

Raising an eyebrow, I say, "What do you want to talk about?"

"Father is beginning to notice that you are acting weird. He says you have been very secretive and have been keeping to yourself. I've noticed that behavior as well, so what's going on?"