Checking Up On You

8 Owen

I try to keep an open mind about school. As much as I hate it, I know that my future will be very enjoyable.

But it's currently the present and I'm leaving class, heading to hang out with Lorenzo for a couple of hours before getting ready for Nora's family reunion.

I was surprised when that's what she wanted. I was expecting something bigger. I can handle dinner.

I knock on the door of the house I used to live in. My dad made me give back the key before I left. I didn't want to fight about it so I left it alone but it worries me that I can't get in in case Lorenzo has an emergency.

Dad swings the door open.

"The fuck do you want?" he snaps, his breath drenched in alcohol. It takes all of me not to stagger back.

"I'm taking Lorenzo out for a bit. I haven't seen him since last week." I see Lorenzo at the top of the staircase with a bruise on his jaw and a scared look in his eyes.

"What are you doing to him?" I look back at my father.

"None of your business. Stay out of it." He goes to close the door but I stop him.

"It is my business. He's my brother. What are you doing to him?"

I am ashamed to say that I wasn't prepared for what happened next.

His fist lands on my cheek, close to my mouth. I fell backwards, catching my head before it could hit the concrete.

"Stop, leave him alone!" I hear Lorenzo crying inside.

Dad walks out, leans down and whispers, "Don't tell me what to do you piece of shit. If you don't want anything to happen to him, you'll stay out of it. And that means staying away from him."

The alcohol burns my eyes which helps me not look at his face. He'll be satisfied to see me crying.

He gives me a kick to the ribs before slamming the door.

I lay there, catching my breath and holding my side before walking to my truck.

I look up to the second floor window and wait a couple of seconds, searching for Lorenzo's face.

Nothing.

I start my truck and drive back to the dorms. I stay in the truck for a couple of minutes, leaning my head on the wheel and allowing myself to cry. To get it all out.

I can't go to someone yet. I need a stable living situation for Lorenzo. I need more money. The trust fund is nice but I don't want to use it all.

A knock on my window makes me look up.

Nora stands on the other side.

God, she's beautiful. I love how she doesn't care how others think she looks. Her hair looks like it's been run through her hands a couple billion times. She's got on sweatpants and an oversized flannel with slides and bright hearts on her socks.

Her face changes when she sees the state of my face.

I roll down the window.

"What happened?" She reaches up and wipes the blood from my lip that I left alone.

"Just some family issues. It's alright." I pull my keys out of the ignition and grab my stuff.

She backs up when I reach for the doorknob and get out.

I flinched but hid my discomfort. It hurts to breathe but I can't go to the hospital without someone asking what happened.

"What are you wearing tonight?" We start heading towards the building.