Love and Hate

The Effects of Leaving

Michael's POV:
My brothers and I were all sitting around in a circle in the living room, chatting. However, I started to get rather irritated at my brothers when they started arguing over who gets to ask her out. Jackie was the one annoying me the most...
Jermaine: Did you see that bathing suit though?!
Marlon: And the way she walked...
Every one of my brothers oo'ed at the thought and then laughed.
Jackie: But let's not forget her...yeh know...
Jackie created an hour glass figure with his hands in the air and everybody practically screamed in excitement. I snapped. I stomped over to Jackie angrily and slapped him hard across the face. He held his now-reddened cheek and stared at me in shock. My teeth were clenched and there was unbelievable rage in my eyes so he'd get the picture to stop it now. I then hurried into my room and slammed the door behind me. I heard them whisper, "What's his problem?" from outside. I sat down on my bed with my arms crossed and my head down. No one should talk about a woman that way, so immature...
The next day we were packing up the last of our stuff and shoving it all into our van to finally head the airport. I didn't speak to anyone. I didn't want to start crying in front of them. I tiredly stuffed my last suitcase into the trunk and shut the door. I sighed. Suddenly, I heard someone call my name from a distance and I turned.
Scarlett: WAIT!
Scarlett bolted out her front door and sprinted across the street towards me. I parted from the van and went to her. She and ran into my arms and loudly sobbed as she tried to speak.
Scarlett: *crying* Y-You're coming b-back right?!
Michael: I will! I promise.
Scarlett: *sniffle* I wish we had more time!
I covered my eyes with my hand to wipe away the tears about to fall.
Michael: *choked up* Me too.
She cried harder into my shoulder and I held her tighter.
Jackie: Michael, come on!
I had to release her, being one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, and grasped her shoulders. I gave her a meaningful peck on the cheek then backed away. She held her cheek in awe. I nodded then ran to the car without another word. I got inside and looked out my window, she was still standing there. I gripped the window with my hand as the engine started. Scarlett was still crying and waved. The car started to move and I watched behind me until she was out of sight. I closed my eyes and tears trickled down my face.
Scarlett's POV:
He was gone. It was too soon, it was just too soon. I thought about chasing after the car, but I knew it wouldn't bring him back. So, I ran back into my house, sprinted upstairs to my room, and slammed the door. I threw myself on my bed and cried, getting my makeup all over my pillow. I felt pain in my heart, no ordinary pain that I've never felt before...
Michael's point of view:
My family dragged me to the airport, but I didn't want to fly. I've always had a fear of flying. Tears were streaming down my cheeks and everyone was trying to convince me to get on the plane and how safe it is. I didn't believe them, I don't trust planes and I didn't want to leave home. My father on the other hand, wasn't so gentle. He took my arm and led me out the door, my family followed not saying a word.
Michael: NOOO! I DON'T WANNA GO!! PLEASE, STOP!
Joseph was beyond done with my behavior and finally picked me up and put me over his shoulder as I was kicking and screaming out of fear.
Michael: NOOO!! HELP ME!!
He brought me up the stairs and into the plane and I practically felt faint. I may be 14, but I was screaming like 2 year old. My mother let me sleep on her lap during the flight to New York and I did to calm myself down.
Scarlett's POV:
Michael had been gone for a few days now and I decided to write him a letter;

Dear Michael, days without you have been horribly boring. I miss you dearly. I have a bruise on my arm now from my father...

*Flashback*
I moped up the stairs, still sad Michael was gone when I saw my dad at the top, with a beer bottle in his hand, and my 5 year old sister on the ground in front of him against the wall, crying. My eyes widened and I ran over to her, being the mother figure of the family.
Scarlett: *picking Katherine up* What the hell are you DOING?!
Father stared at me with an evil look and I clutched onto Katherine fearfully, seeing if she was hurt in any way. Emmy suddenly walked up the stairs, but stopped dead when she saw what was going on. I turned to her and she looked at me worriedly. I spoke to her calmly so no one would panic.
Scarlett: Emmy, take Katherine into our room and stay there...
Emmy didn't move.
Scarlett: Now!
Her eyes worried for me, both of us knowing what would happen next. She finally took Katherine from my arms and ran into my room, shutting the door behind them. I turned around and my father slapped me hard across the face. I nearly lost my balance, but was then grabbed by my shirt collar and slammed against the wall, hard. The wind knocked out of me and I saw stars. My feet hovered off the ground and I instantly experienced lack of oxygen.
Father: WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT DISOBEYING YOUR FATHER, HUH?!
Scarlett: *choking* I-I-!
I felt light headed, and just when I was about to lose consciousness I was finally dropped onto the ground. I was kicked in the stomach. I grunted in pain and rolled onto my other side. My father walked away and mumbled, "Stupid kid..." taking another swig of his beer.
I stood up and wiped a tear from my throbbing eye, staying strong. What on earth was he on about? I shook my head and limped into my room, only to find Emmy and Katherine sitting on my bed, absolutely petrified at hearing all that happen from outside the door. I decided for them to sleep in my bed tonight. It was the biggest anyway, so we could all fit. I tucked in Emmy and Katherine and kissed their foreheads goodnight.
Emmy: Are you okay Scarlett?
I sighed tiredly.
Scarlett: Never better baby, now you go to sleep Miss Emmy Rossum. You need to sleep...
Emmy: Okay...goodnight...
Emmy gave me a warm hug and I laid down next to them. Katherine was already out, sucking her thumb and snuggling into my back. I relaxed when I heard my father's door shut from down the hall and I finally fell asleep.
*End of flashback*

I miss you Michael, I'll count the days you're away.
Love, Scarlett