The Beginning
We were paired up a few times in group projects in class, nothing more. I saw him a few times in the hallway. I had a boyfriend at the time, we were good together. I had a solid group of friends and did well in school. I participated in some after school activities and mostly had issues with my family. The normal teenage shit.
I think it was closer to Summer when it happened.
Upstairs, I was calling my boyfriend at the time, Eli, when I heard a really loud crash downstairs.
My parents fought a lot.
I hung up on Eli and tip toed over to the top of the stairs. We had an L-shaped stair case, so I remember trying to peer over the railing at the top to see into the living room.
A vase was shattered all over the floor and my mom was trying to sweep it up.
"Why the FUCK is he giving you flowers now?!"
"How the hell would I know? I don't have control over what he does! You have no right to be this angry at me."
"Are you serious!? I can see how he looks at you! I always have! You think I'm fucking stupid? What, you think its okay to cheat on me now?"
"I never said that, and I have never been unfaithful to you! You know that it's always been your fucking fault that our marriage is so torn! Get over your god damned self!
Maybe if you didn't drink so FUCKING much-"
I heard something; like a slap
or a punch-
I wasn't sure.
I stepped back from the railing, I didn't know what to do.
My entire body went cold.
My breathing slowed and I started to freeze up
Calm down, damn it. think.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry honey-"
"NO! Get the FUCK AWAY FROM ME! Don't touch me! I hate you, I swear to god I hate you."
I could hear her work heels hitting the ground as she made her way to the door. It slammed.
A car started up, then swiftly drove down the paved driveway and onto the road. My younger brother was napping upstairs thankfully. I heard more glass breaking downstairs.
I went to my room and laid down.
Staring at the ceiling is something I often do.
I overthink things and sometimes dissociate from reality completely. This is the best way I deal with it.
I listened to music for a bit and decided to play a game to purge all the thoughts racing in my mind.
Shortly after, I remember opening up my old laptop and seeing a message pop up
hi. do you remember me?
I think to myself for a minute.
yeah, we had chemistry together, right?
another response
actually, i was wondering if you wanted to catch up sometime. i'm moving senior year and just want some company, if that's alright with you :)
I type up a response after a bit.
I'll let you know if I can! Thanks for reaching out.
I thought of him and how we were never that close. I contemplated making an excuse, but how bad could it be? I knew Eli would be upset if I were to meet up with this guy alone. I debated telling him the truth or lying to him. He didn't deserve to be lied to. Maybe if he knew the circumstances he would change his mind? Either way, I didn't really know this guy all that well.
It was monday so I figured I would have the rest of the week to figure it out and put it to the side in my mind for now.
School felt really slow the next day, I felt like every minute took an hour to pass. English and math went alright, science and history kind of kicked my ass though.
I decided to walk home from school that day.
My mom still hadn't been home. She had texted me a few times checking on my brother and I, telling us should would come get us soon when she could. I knew that a lot was about to happen. I felt so drained.
My laptop dinged again
hi, gen.
Oh, hello again.
hi, jack.
