"Young love tends to be based on nothing but feelings. The couple has not yet faced and overcome a challenge or difficulty together. They are passionate about each other. They think about each other constantly and want to spend all their time"
Isaac...
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It was the first day of school, and I made sure I was out of the house before my dad was even awake.
I liked getting ready alone, wandering through the house while it was quiet. Even if it meant being extra early to school, sometimes I'd just walk around the neighborhood too.
Anything to stay away from that house.
I never really liked calling it home. A home's supposed to be somewhere you feel safe, and I don't think I've felt safe there in years.
Once upon a time, it did feel like a home — back when my mom and brother were around. But now, with them gone, all that's left is my dad, and he ruined that feeling a long time ago.
Since then, I haven't really found a home. It's not like there are a lot of places or people in my life to even find one.
I have the same routine every day. I wake up early when I know my dad'll still be passed out, probably drunk from the night before. I get ready, maybe eat if I have time or if I can manage it without making any noise.
By now, you've probably figured out that I avoid my dad as much as I can. But the truth is, it's impossible to avoid him completely — especially when he's basically the only person I ever talk to.
Sounds messed up, right? But it's not a lie.
I don't really have anyone else. Not at school, not anywhere. You'd think I'd try to talk to someone else, anyone else, given the person my dad is. And believe me, I want to — but it's not that simple. There's just no one.
So I bike to school alone. I usually take the long way since it's too early for school to start, unless it's a day for morning practice — if I even get put back on the team this year. I managed to make it last year, but this time... I don't know.
And if I don't?
Well... let's just say I don't want to think about what my dad'll do. But it's kind of impossible not to when it's the one thing gnawing at the back of my head.
The only small bit of comfort is when my neighbors are home. When they're around, he's not as bad. Too afraid someone might call the cops.
When I finally got to school, I thought that was the only thing weighing on me. But I was wrong.
I stopped my bike next to Scott McCall's, just in time to see him getting yelled at by Jackson Whittemore and Tyler Miller — the captain and co-captain of the lacrosse team.
They didn't even notice me. Scott was an easier target. But if he hadn't been there, it would've been me.
That's the other thing I'm worried about. It's bad enough getting bullied at home — now I've got school for that too.
