Love Across The Ocean : The Gap Between

7

I sat at the kitchen table, staring down at the bowl of cereal in front of me. My mind was elsewhere, still consumed with the intimate moment I shared with Chad the night before. As I twirled my spoon in the milk, lost in thought, my mother walked into the kitchen.

"Marie, your papa and I need to talk to you about something," she said gravely. I looked up, curious, but concerned by the worried expression on her face. "What is it?" I asked, setting down my spoon.

"We don't have a lot of money," my mother said, sighing heavily. "We're struggling to make ends meet." My heart sank as I realized the gravity of the situation. My family was going through a tough financial time, just like we had in England. Even though we had moved to a new country, it seemed as though our problems had followed us. However, I remained hopeful that things would eventually improve . 

"But don't worry Marie." my mother said, trying to reassure me. "We have a plan." 

"What's the plan?" I asked, intrigued.

"Well, your papa has been  offered a job opportunity out of town." She explained, "It's a temporary position  but it pays well and it will be enough to get us through this time." 

I nodded slowly, taking in the information "So, what does this mean for me?" 

"Well, you and your brothers apart from Leandro, as he is only 8 he will be coming with us, but you must take care of the house while we are gone." 

"Does Duke know about this, have you told him mom?" my mom looked disappointed in herself, "No, I have not told Duke or TJ yet."

My heart began to race at the thought of being left alone to take care of the house. How would I manage everything? The responsibility felt overwhelming.

However, I pushed aside my fears and decided to take on the challenge. "I can do it, Mom," I told her firmly. "Don't worry about a thing." 

What I was mad about was that she had left it last minute to tell me, they were leaving today and telling me today where is the organisation in that?

Hours later, with a heavy heart, I watched my parents and younger brother pack their bags and head out the door. I felt a sense of loneliness and abandonment, but I knew I couldn't dwell on it. I had to focus on taking care of the house, myself and my older brothers as they are childish and realistically speaking aren't any help.

As soon as my family left I heard the doorbell ring, Stacy? Duke dashed to the door as though he was trying to beat Usain Bolt in a race, while doing that pushing me over "Out of my way loser."  Common kind words from my brother. He ripped the door open, Chad ! 

Stacy walked in behind Chad, my two favourite people. I felt a small sense of comfort knowing that I had someone to rely on while my family was away. Chad could see the worry in my eyes and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Marie. I'm here to help, I'm moving in." he said with a smile.

Duke and Stacy held hands "We have an announcement!" I think I could tell what it would be. " Stacy and I are officially an item" I chuckled. "Well there's a surprise, I shipped you two so badly." 

Back to Chad,  I was relieved that Chad was there, but also felt guilty for burdening him with my family's problems. "Are you sure, Chad? I don't want you to feel obligated," I said.

"Of course, I'm sure. I want to help you, Marie," he replied, wrapping me in a warm embrace. I felt safe and comfortable in his arms, knowing that I had someone who cared about me.

Feeling a bit melancholic, I decided to take a walk around the house to clear my head. As I passed by TJ's bedroom, I heard loud music blaring from inside. Curious, I opened the door and was met with the sight of TJ dancing wildly to his favourite songs.

"Hey sis!" He yelled over the music. "Wanna join the party?"

I smiled and shook my head. "No thanks, TJ. I think I need to relax a bit."

But TJ wasn't hearing it. "Come on, Marie. Live a little!" he said, grabbing my hand and dragging me into the room. It was just him and 3 others, but I had a sudden urge to throw a rager. 

TJ thought about my suggestion and decided to go through with it. After all, what better way to forget about my family's financial problems for a night than by throwing a party? As TJ, Duke and his friends began setting up speakers and decorations,  I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness when I saw Chad's proud expression. He kept boasting about his family's wealth and possessions, making me feel uncomfortable and unhappy. It was clear that he came from a much more privileged background than I did, and I couldn't help but think how unfair life was. Why did some people have everything while others had to struggle to make ends meet? It was so selfish of him with knowing what was going on to be talking like that, it made me feel as though I was nothing which is not something you want from your boyfriend. TJ and Duke saw the look on my face, almost in tears, they comforted me the best older brothers I could wish for.

As the party continued, Chad's comments became more and more obnoxious. Finally, TJ had enough and confronted him. "Listen man, just because you're rich doesn't mean you can act like you're better than everyone else."

Chad scoffed. "I'm not acting like I'm better, I just happen to have more than you do."

Duke stepped in, ready to defend his sister. "You need to show some respect, man. Our family including your girlfriend  Marie are going through a tough time and she doesn't need your attitude and treating us like we are poor we aren't a charity or make a wish foundation, what's your problem."

Chad rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I don't need this."  TJ and Duke smirked "Hold up what's this  bitch saying, he giving us attitude, I think he giving us attitude what you think Duke?" The whole party was shouting "Fight,Fight,Fight!"  Duke smacked his lips "Yeah, let's show this n**** what he deserves." Everyone pulled out their cameras immediately, I froze I didn't want to stop them but then he was my boyfriend, I decided to let it be.

The atmosphere was tense as TJ and Chad faced off, their eyes locked in a silent challenge. Duke stood behind Chad for the ready and  they all circled each other warily, both waiting for an opportunity to strike. The crowd edged in closer, their excited shouts and cheers creating a deafening cacophony.

Chad's face twisted into a sneer as he threw a wild punch at TJ, who easily dodged out of the way. In response, TJ followed up with a swift kick to Chad's midsection, causing him to stagger backwards. Blood flowed freely from a cut on Chad's lip, and his eyes blazed with fury. Duke got furious Chad even tried to hurt TJ as he cared about me and TJ so much he sneaked up behind Chad and kicked him in the back. Chad fell to the ground, Duke the proceeded to kick his head multiple times and then stomp on it. " What you gotta say to Marie Chad?" TJ snickered, all the crowd cheering and posting it all over social media. "I'm sorry Marie" I was speechless . I barely made out the words "It's okay" Then went off searching for Stacy, my brothers were enjoying their 15 minutes of fame. 

I couldn't find Stacy anywhere, I went to go watch TV in my room and an hour later went back on the hunt for her, I checked a spare bedroom, and there she was sleeping with someone but that someone wasn't TJ...