What we could have been

Chapter 2: The New Neighbors (Aspen's POV)

Tw: mentions of abuse (readers discretion advised)

(It is around 4pm)

Richard and mom were fighting. Again. Nothing new. He came home from work not too long ago and got upset that mom hadn't started dinner yet. He immediately poured himself a drink and sat down in front of the tv and started watching the football game. It's been his routine since the office cut down his hours, from 8-5 to 8:30-2. He hasn't been happy. He drinks more, which means he's more angry, which also means he takes it out on mom.

Mom and Richard have been together for 13 years. He came into my life when I was around 5 years old and just stuck around. He was good at first because he wasn't our source of income. Mom had a job, whilst also being a single parent. Meanwhile, dad was always traveling around for work. I hardly ever see him, but when I do, it's nice. I miss him. He's currently in Wisconsin working on a record deal. Anyways, yeah. Mom quit her job once Richard moved in because he made good money and he just wanted her to be a housewife and to be around for me. It was nice for a while but then he had his hours cut, so money has been tight. Mom offers to go help and get a job but he just blows up in her face and says she's calling him incompetent and whatnot. Its honestly really stupid.

I go up into my room and play Guns n Roses on the record player my dad got me for my 16th birthday, to sound out the noise. Their fights tend to get fairly loud, and dangerous. Something always ends up broken. Always. It never fails. They argue for hours. It's just become background noise for me at this point.

Sometimes I wish dad was here. He says after he seals this record deal and makes more money, he said he would take me away from this all, and it would be just the two of us. I feel like he forgets about me sometimes, though.

I lay down in my bed for what feels like forever, but I decided that I was going to go hangout with Jonathan and Argyle. Mom and Richard's arguing got worse and i didnt feel like being home. I sneak out through my bedroom window and walk across my front yard. I notice a moving truck drive away and this guy, with dark brown curly hair, wearing a Dio jean vest. Maybe he wants some company...

"Hey! Are you new neighbors??" I sit myself down next to him and grab the cigarette away from his lips and throw it on the floor and step on it. "Also, just fyi, smoking is bad for you."

I could tell he was annoyed, but this neighborhood isn't a place to smoke. If any of the moms in the neighborhood saw, they would have his head. I was only saving him from the crazy moms here. They are absolute health nuts. It's annoying. He looked like he had a long day, considering he probably is my new neighbor and has been moving in all day.

"No, I'm actually here to rob them :D". He finally replies and lets out a forced smile.

I couldn't help but chuckle. He's got some sense of humor at least. That's a good thing. "Well, good luck robbing an empty house! I'm Aspen Sawyer-Brown, by the way. What's your name, robber?"

"Eddie."

"Eddie? Does Eddie have a last name? Middle name? What's Eddie short for or is that just your name? OH! Where did you move here from? I'm sure where you came from is much more exciting than California" I asked.

"Eddie Munson. Also 'Eddie' is short for 'Edward', but everyone calls me Eddie. You ask way too many questions, Aspen Sawyer-Brown. Would you like to know my social security number as well?" He smiles once more, but this time, it didn't seem forced. Maybe he was warming up...

"Nope, just your number, Edward Munson." I didn't actually want his number, but he gave me the perfect line to slide that joke in. I laugh, thinking maybe he would laugh as well, but instead, he just lets out a small grin.