Talia

iv

i swore i'd never come back here.. so why the fuck am i parked outside?

i groaned, running a hand through my hair before turning the car off and getting out. i muttered under my breath before pulling out a pack of cigarettes from my jacket pocket and lighting one up as it was placed between my lips.

i leaned against my car as i took a drag of the stick, trying anything to ease my mind and calm my nerves.

to lost in my own actions i didn't hear the door to the house open, or hear the footsteps leading out to the porch.

"rainer?"

i glanced over in the direction of the house, my brow raising as i blew out the smoke. my eyes landed on my mother and her sympathies facial expression.

she smiled softly as she walked over to where i was standing. once she was in front of me, she reached up and placed her hand on my cheek.

"are you okay sweetheart? you look distraught." she spoke softly, her eyes never leaving my face.

"i'm fine mom. where's-"

i was cut off by the sound of someone clearing their throat, causing me to frown and grimace.

"rainer." the voice spoke sternly.

i rolled my eyes and pushed past my mother, walking up to the house.

"mark.." i spat angrily before pushing past him and waking inside. "nate?" i yelled out, looking for my brother.

"that is no way to address your father." mark spoke as he crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

"you're not my father after you tried pulling that fucking stunt years ago." i hissed as i heard a door slam and the sound of rushed footsteps. just then my brother appeared from upstairs.

"raine?" he called out, a huge smile on his face.

"heya brat." i called out with a smile.

nate ran over and practically tackled me to the ground. "i've missed you asshole." he spoke against my chest, causing me to chuckle.

"so i'm still asshole huh?" i questioned as i looked over my shoulder, seeing my mom smiling softly. that was before my dad stood beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"let's go to your room, i don't really wanna be around your shitty father right now."

nate nodded and dragged me to his room.

"i thought we agreed he wasn't allowed back until he was sober..completely."

"mark he's our son. he's going through a lot especially right now with the anniversary of her death in a few days."

"i get that claire but he's a drug addict! i don't want him tainting nate like that."

"drug addict or not he's still my son. if you don't like it then leave. no one is forcing you to stay here and you know that."

"i'm staying for nate. he doesn't deserve a broken home."

"and rainer does?" claire asked as she crossed her arms, staring at her husband accusingly. the room fell silent as the two stared at each other.

claire shook her head as she stood up, walking toward the stairs.

"he needs to go to rehab." mark said matter of factly.

"i will decide what my son needs." clair hissed before ascending the stairs. once in front of nate's room she went to knock, but that was before she stopped hearing the two boys talking.

"so how've you been little bugger?" raine asked as he laid on the floor, staring up at the ceiling.

"good, just avoiding mom and dad honestly." he spoke as he laid on his bed, staring down at his brother.

"ah yeah, understandable." raine hummed.

"mom and dad are getting a divorce."

raine sat up and looked at his brother confused. "what?"

nate nodded as he sighed. "all they do is fight. dad doesn't want you hanging around me because of what happened. he's afraid you'll try to get me to take drugs with you. n-not that you're still taking them."

raine stayed quiet before looking at his lap. he sighed and laid back down, rubbing his face as he groaned.

"maybe he's right.."

"what?! no way! you're my brother for crying out loud i wanna have you around like the old times!"

"like the old times? i was having you lie to mom and dad about knowing where i was when id disappear and get high for days! id fight with you and beat you up when i was going through withdrawals. id yell at mom and threaten to hurt you and her!"

"yeah but that was before. you're clean now so it's different."

"..yeah.." raine said softly.

just then a knock was heard and the door opened.

"can i come in?" the boys' mother asked with a smile.

nate nodded just as raine stood up.

"i'm gonna go.. i think i've overstayed my welcome. see you around mom. be good nate..and promise me something. stay away from the shit i did." he said before quickly leaving the room.

raine walked down the stairs and out the door. he walked over to his car and opened the door. just as he was about to get in he felt a hand on his arm.

he turned and looked back seeing his mothers teary eyes. "what're you-" before raine could even finish his sentence he felt his jacket being ripped off and his arm being exposed.

"what the hell are you doing?" raine grumbled as he yanked his arm back, glaring at his mother. "nate told me about the divorce. it's safe to say i'm the cause."

his mothers expression turned to one of discomfort as tears filled her eyes. she slowly looked up, meeting her sons gaze.

"you never stopped.." she said between gasps.

"what?" raine spoke, confused. he watched as his mother reached forward and gently caressed her sons arm. "you never stopped doing drugs did you?"

"just drop it mom.."

"you're going to kill yourself rainer!" she cried, sobs erupting from her lips.

"so fucking what?!" he screamed glaring at his mother. "it would be a fucking good thing for you if i was dead somewhere!" he shouted, not aware of the eyes watching him.

"just go back inside. you want me gone so you can save your marriage. nate..he'll forget about me sooner or later. i'm just a fucking junkie anyways."

"rainer that's not true, you're my son."

"i'm your fucking screw up that's what i am! it should've been me that overdosed instead of layla!" raine screamed at his mother.

"why're you still abusing drugs raine? we want you to get better. we don't want to see you like this."

"there's no fucking saving me mom. just go back inside and wait to get a phone call that rainer jacobs died of an overdose."

claire stood still as tears streamed down her face.

"i think you should leave.." mark spoke as he walked over and wrapped his arms around his wife's shoulders before pulling her into a hug.

"yeah.." raine spoke as he turned to get in his car. he stopped seeing something out the corner of his eyes. he looked seeing his little brother, standing in the doorway of the house, tears in his eyes as he watch the scene unfold.

raine stared at his brother before he opened his mouth to speak. "nate.."

nate sniffled, before running back inside and upstairs, disappearing into his bedroom.

"shit.." raine whispered under his breath before getting into his car.