The Space Between Us

twelve <3

TW: Abuse, SH

Caelums Pov.

I stood still outside her door holding the bag of first aid kit items.

I can hear her crying.

I can feel the pain erupting from her chest.

I turn around and grab the handle, but before I can open the door I hear her bathroom door close.

I should leave.

I walk downstairs through a home I've become so accustomed to being in. It hurts knowing I won't be here for awhile.

Astra has become such an escape from reality for me. She always has been.

Ive only ever seen a mean and annoyed side of her. Until recently.

When we sat and talked in my car I realized how truly beautiful she is. Her smile shines so brightly, its so contagious. It always makes me smile too.

I feel bad for what I said back there, but I had to. She was asking questions that she can't know the answers to.

I can't tell her about my dad.

I know that I can be honest with you, there's no way that you can tell her what I'm about to say.

So, here goes nothing.

It started legitimately at birth. My mom died giving birth to me.

Ever since then my dad has felt nothing but resentment towards me.

Nobody knows she died because I've had a stepmom since before I can even remember. She took my dads last name and nobody questions him.

He's a blue collar so naturally, what he says goes.

He used to beat me everyday up until I started actual school in 5th grade. He had my stepmother homeschool me. Once the schooling started to become serious, he realized he had to send me to public school. Which meant he had to back off with the beatings.

Every now and then he beats me. Sometimes it's for no reason, others it's because of grades, or just simply looking at him funny.

This time it was because of Astra.

I don't blame her or anything, it just happened to be because I asked for her to come over.

"What the hell did you just say to me?"

"I just wanted to know if my friend could come over to work on a project."

"You don't deserve to spend time with any friends." He takes a sip of his beer before finishing, "You don't deserve friends, period."

He threw the glass bottle at me, it smacked me right in my head.

"Now get the fuck out of here, I don't want to see you again for the rest of the night." He shouted

"Okay." I replied.

"Did you just talk back to me?" He yells again.

"No Sir."

He then grabs me by my jaw and brings my face so close to his that I can smell the alcohol on his breath. He takes an eternity before letting go and bringing his fist behind his head. Then he punches me, right in my eye.

"Thats what the hell you get." He scoffs at me.

I reach for my freshly bruised eye and walk out the front door. I make my way to my car before turning on the ignition and driving off.