Black

chapter thirteen.

Song:
Am I Ok by Rivver ft. Milk & Bone

It's been abnormally quiet.

Naomi went to bed early so I decided to unpack a bit. Todd still hasn't come back from work.

The clock on the bedside table reads 10:03pm.

I sigh as I sit on the end of the bed and look at everything in my old bedroom. A variety of photography posters are tapped to the floral walls, my Polaroid collection spread out on my desk the way I left it. I curl my toes against the soft carpet and play with the comforter on the bed. I realize now how much I truly missed it here.

I missed sleeping here, knowing I was safe.

I missed Naomi and Todd. I missed hearing them laugh together in the other room while I tried to fall asleep at night.

I lay back on the bed and stare up at the ceiling, remembering looking up at it when I was younger.

                        •••

"I don't want to go. The other kids won't like me." I complain as I look up at the ceiling of my bedroom.

"How do you know that?" Todd asks, sitting on the bed with me. "Maybe you'll make more friends than you ever thought you would."

I shake my head.

"Raina. I know coming into middle school is scary for you but everything will be fine." He shifts. "I'm going to be honest with you. I was scared, too, when I went to middle school."

I turn my head. "Really?"

He nods. "It is scary but I got through it. I was friends with the right people and I learned a lot from them. You'll do the same." He smiles.

"I don't want to be bullied." I cross my arms.

"I can't promise you you won't." He breathes a small laugh. "But whatever happens, just know you have us, okay?"

I sigh.

"Okay."

                         •••

My eyes snap open at the sound of a door shutting. I look over at the clock again.

11:25pm.

I must've fallen asleep. I sit up and make my way out of my bedroom, silently taking the stairs.

I jump slightly at the sound of the wooden chair in the kitchen skidding across the tiled floor.

"Shit." I hear Todd say. "Fucking chair."

He's drunk.

I slowly enter the kitchen and find his head in the fridge.

"No fucking alcohol." He says under his breath.

"I think you've had enough." I say. He jumps, bumping his head on the fridge. He turns to look at me, his hand on his head as a smile spreads over his mouth.

"You're here." He says, drunkly walking towards me.

"I'm here." I smile softly at him before I wrap my arms around his waist, leaning my head against his chest. I shut my eyes as he wraps his arms around my shoulders and kisses the top of my head.

"It's been hell around here without you." He pulls back and smiles at me.

"I know." I say. "Naomi told me."