Badass s.m.

Now: Part 5

"When we can't dream any longer, we die."

-Emma Goldman

"So since I know your real name isn't Mia, what's your actual name?"

"Why on Earth would I tell you my name?"

"Fine. Pretend we're on Mars then."

"Oh my God. You're so f.ucking cheesy. Fine. My full name is Michelle Aliyah Brennan."

"Wow. That's really beautiful. I have a sister named Aliyah."

"Does she know you do all this shit?" I say, gesturing to the cigarette in my hand.

"No, never. I raised her. I'm still raising her. I would never want her to find out what I'm doing."

I nod in understanding for a moment, taking the cig between my lips again and inhaling it slowly. "So, if you don't mind my asking, mommy or daddy issues?"

"Mom. My dad left before I was born. It gets pretty crazy sometimes."

I raise an eyebrow questioningly and blow out the smoke I've been holding. He continues after a little bit of thinking. "My 'mom' tries hitting me a lot, mostly because she's always drunk, and I'm usually pretty capable of holding her back. Sometimes I just let her hit me so she'll stop fighting it. She never hits Aliyah though, thank God. She really doesn't care about Lee. She wouldn't hit her because she knows Lee would fight back. And with much more force. I taught her just in case she would ever need to know."

"Smart. You don't want the kid having to be afraid of her own home." Shawn mutters a small 'no kidding' at that and takes the cigarette from me, breathing it in and closing his eyes for a moment before letting it out. I grab his wrist and lead him forward, towards the steps.

"So Michelle, mommy or daddy issues?"

I roll my eyes, but answer him anyway. "Neither. My parents barely come home once a year. I haven't seen either of them in months. Not like I need either of them home, anyway. They're just a couple of drunks who spend their nights in cheap hotel rooms and shitty bars." I look down at my feet for a few seconds, then speak up. "Why did you come over today?"

"I just thought you could use a friend."

Yayyyy! We finished the beginning of the story!! And now it's summer break so I have time to do whatever I want, meaning writing more. The picture I tagged with this chapter is the story line which is why a lot of it is blurred out. Anyway, I'm really happy. So I'll see you lovelies latah!

All the love -K. Xx