My Safe Haven (BxB)

Chapter IV - My Life

A picture of Christian King.

Christian's POV

As I walk away from Andrew, I can't help but chuckle at how easy it is to get this boy flustered. Now, that I think about it, Andrew seems to be the only student I've made an effort to talk to. What can I say, Pretty Boy sparks my interest.

Now, this interest grew earlier today in the history class because I know that his bruised face is not a result of some street fight, and you're probably wondering, "How do I know?"

Well, I've lived nearly 7 years with my step-father Antonio Perez, along with my mother and baby-sister, Isabella. Shortly after my mother, sister and I moved in with him, the abuse ensued. And no, my sister and I were never on the receiving ends of his violence, but unfortunately, my mother was.

Now, 11 year-old me knew nothing then, but I could tell something was happening with my mother. She wasn't as caring as before, as jolly, as happy. She started to shut me out. Sometimes, I would feel like I'm spending time with a complete stranger, but that stranger was my mother.

When my sister Isabella turned 4, my step-dad started going on what he called "Daddy's adventures". He would disappear for days, and as time progressed, days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months. Now that I think about it, it's been roughly 5 months since I last saw him.

Now, many would think my mother would get better with her abuser not being around her and her children anymore, but she got worse. The pain was evident in my mother's eyes but I couldn't pin point what the root of it was. I remember the day vividly, when I finally decided to man up and confront the woman I called my mother about her change; and as soon as I asked if Antonio abused her, the look she gave me confirmed it all.

Sometimes I wish I never asked, because I feel like her acknowledging the fact that she was a victim of abuse, led her on a downward spiral that she is still on till this day. My mother gave her life to drugs, and she has not recovered. So, she started neglecting my baby sister and I, and that was when I had to sacrifice being a child so I can fend for us.

And that is the story of how I found myself working at my uncle's club at age 13. I had begged my uncle for days until he finally caved in when he saw the situation at home. I'm very grateful for him and what he has done for us.

The job at the club paid enough for me to be able to cover my family's basic needs, but it was very demanding and unpredictable. I mean, today for instance, I went home from work, took a shower, and came straight to school. That's why I sleep in class, because I don't get a chance to relax.

But any who, that is how I know that Andrew has a lot he's hiding. The pained look I once saw in my mother's eyes, is the very same look that I saw when I asked him about his face earlier. I wonder what he could be hiding.

My train of thought comes to a halt when I find myself outside of the Nurse's Office. I knock, then enter the room.

"Why do you even bother knocking if you're going to barge in anyways?" Pamela, the school nurse asks with a small smile. Pam was my mother's best friend before everything went tumbling down.

"Sorry, Pam...I'm just here for a small favor" I say sheepishly.

"I hope you're not expecting me to give you a sick note so you can skip classes" she reprimands.

When she sees that I paid her a visit for that exact reason, she sighs. "Christian, you're turning this into a habit and..."

"I know and I'm sorry. I've been working so hard lately and I'm not feeling well. I just need to go home and rest" I plead.

"Fine! But this is the last time Christian!" she says, as she gets the note ready.

"Thank you Pam, I'll never bother you again" I say with a small smile.

"You do know that you said those very words the last time you were here" she says jokingly. "Anyways, how's Cora? Is she doing any better?" Pam enquires about my mother.

"She's gotten worse over the past few weeks but, it's nothing I can't handle." Her eyes fill with sadness, as she stands up, pulling me in for a hug.

"Things will get better Christian, I promise you" she says sweetly. "But if you don't mind me asking, I just need to know, what are your grandparents doing to help you? I mean, Cora is their daughter after all and it's only fair that they help you out."

I freeze when she mentions my grandparents. I don't have the best relationship with them because my mother married my dad when she was only 18, and her parents did not approve of him. When he found out that my mother was pregnant, he bailed on her, so she was left to struggle raising me, alone. So when I was born, the resentment that my grandparents had for my father had a new target, me.

"Well, they haven't been helping. It's just me against the world, I guess" I say with a shrug, attempting to ease the tension.

"You'll get through all this Christian, just hold on a little longer" she says, handing the note to me.

"Yeah, I really don't have a choice but to hold on. Thank you once again, Pam. Enjoy the rest of the day" I say with a small wave as I leave her tiny office with the slip in my hand, once again letting my thoughts consume me.

With this note that I just got from Pam, I can skip school without having to face repercussions tomorrow. And if I'm being honest, exhaustion is not the main reason why I want to head home, but the idea of being surrounded by my peers who get to enjoy their teenage years bothers me. While I work throughout the night, they are out partying, living the life, socializing, making friends.

The only person I can consider a friend is Pam, even though she's my mother's age, talking to her always makes me feel better. She's just so easy to talk to and I know she always has my back. If I ever need to talk, she's always available. But talking to her often times left me with more questions than answers. Will her promises ever reign true? Will life ever take it easy on me? If it does, when? There's been times were I've contemplated ending it all, but who would look after my little sister if I ever did that? So, I have to persevere in times like this, if not for myself, then for Isabella.

Soon, I find myself standing in the parking lot, were I parked my Acura CSX that I was given by my uncle when I turned sixteen. It's not the best looking but it sure is reliable. I get behind the wheel, start the engine, and take off.

///////

I arrive at home to the sight of my mother sprawled out on the couch, sleeping with a picture of our little family in her grasp. If my memory serves me right, we took this picture shortly after we moved in with Antonio, before the abuse began. Gosh, I miss those good times.

I ponder on whether or not I should wake her, but I soon decided against it, leaving her on the couch, as I make my way into the kitchen to start with tonight's dinner, knowing very well that if I left the house without cooking, my now 11 year-old sister would die of hunger.

And this ladies and gentlemen, is just a glimpse of my life.