Worth Fighting

Chapter 1 : The Beginning

I jerk up from my bed heaving with sweats. The clock on my desktop shows that it is already eight in the morning. I overslept again. Thank god it was my day off from work and school. With a sigh I get up and straighten my hair before checking myself in the mirror.

A loud gasp escape my mouth as I look myself in the mirror. My face was bloated and my eyes were puffy. I realized that I must be crying again in my sleep. Ugh that stupid nightmare.

Its has been a long time since I got one of those nightmare.

Then a sudden loud thump and crash downstairs snap me out of my daze. What the hell is going on down there.

Curious as to what the sound came from I open my bedroom door and sneak my head out to see the hallway clear and quiet. Too quiet for my liking. I live with a younger brother and I swear that kid is the Satan spawn himself so it's so unusual for him not to make any ruckus in the morning.

"Mom! Dad! Ethan! Are you guys down there?" No response at all. "Ethan if this is one of your joke stop it or I will crush your head when I get you. Like literally!" For a few minutes I thought he was hiding somewhere waiting for me too loosen my guard and attack me but no. Nothing.

I took something that nearest to me to act as a shield which is a pillow. Yeah great survival instinct you got there Kylie I mutter to myself.

Slowly I went downstairs to take a look expecting a burglar or something but all I see was something more horrifying. I let out as scream and shield my eyes with the pillows.

"Euww euww euww! My eyes , my poor poor eyes!" I grimace at the image of Mom and Dad kissing. I need holy water to purify my eyes. "I thought we had rules in this house oh my god," still trying to get the image out of my head.

"Oh don't be so dramatic Kylie." I hear my Mom speak and carefully I remove the pillow from my face. She was grinning like a girl and Dad was trying to act cool. I thought I'm the teenager in this house.

Trying to change the topic I ask "What's that crash sound I heard and where's Ethan?" I try to find anything broken or shatter but there isn't anything.

They both exchange a look and Mom moves towards me and put her hands on my arm. "I send Ethan out for an errand and honey there's nothing broken. Now go up and get ready for breakfast." she said as she usher me to upstairs.

Maybe it's just my imagination I think to myself. Well that was awkward.

Before I climb the stairs I heard Mom whispers to my Dad. "She's doing it again..." I try to listen further but that's all I can hear.

Giving up I finally went in my room to have a nice warm shower.

***

Before I get out of the bathroom I take a quick glance at the mirror. My eyes are less puffy now. I let out a tired sigh and lean against the sink.

Those nightmares started to haunt me when I'm at the age of 15. Back then I thought it was only just a bad dream that normal people have once in a while but after a while of crying in my sleep I know something was wrong. As if this nightmares are trying to tell me something.

Sometimes I can remember the nightmares clearly but at times I just woke up feeling so sad knowing that something had happen in those dreams but I can't remember a thing , just like today.

I try so hard to remember but all there is just some hazy memories.

The knock on the door snap me out of my daze. "Kylie, Mom wants you downstairs for breakfast," from the voice I know it's Ethan.

"Okay give me a minute."

I quickly slip on my white dress and pull my hair into a messy bun. I put on some light make up to finish off my look.

When I went downstairs there were no one so I look into the living room but still none. Then I heard muffled sound coming from the backyard. "Hey guys wh--"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLIE!"

Standing just inches away from me was Mom and Dad and a sour face Ethan.

I don't know how to react really. Is it because I'm shocked that I even forgot my own birthday or the fact that my parents still thinks birthday surprise are that exciting for teenagers my age. But I couldn't say that to them as I took in the surrounding. They even decorated the backyard for me.

So I gave them the warmest smile and pull them for a big hug. "Thank you." I whisper.

"Ugh let go already," Ethan try to pull away but I firm my grip on him and let out a chuckle. No wonder he was so sour. Mom must had force him to help make this birthday surprise a surprise.

Mom kiss me on the cheek while Dad pull something out from his pocket. A thick envelope.

I took it and was not expecting a large amount of cash was in it. I look up at Dad with a disbelieving face. "Dad what's this? I mean I can't take." I try giving him back the money but he push my hand away gently.

"I know that you are big enough and responsible enough for that money. It's our decision to give it to you." He say as he pull Mom closer to him. She gave me a convincing nod and I held back a tear from escaping my eyes. I jump for a quick hug and they return it.

I know that Mom and Dad are both doctors and are capable of giving me such amount but to expect them giving this much as a birthday present overwhelms me.

Mom pulls back slowly when she realized someone was here. She nods her head and before I could turn to see who it is I can feel someone hugging me from the back. "Hey there ugly duck." In an instant I knew who it is.

I try to shove him off me but he has grown a bit stronger than me since he hit puberty. Ha.

"Charles call me that again I will shove your stupid ass with a cactus." I earn a warning from Mom to speak more lady like and control my language.

"It's okay Mrs. Hood that's just her way saying that she miss me," with a smug smile he lean closer to me and whisper "Happy Birthday." His warm breathe tingles my ears as his lips brush my ears.

I push him and turn away busying myself with what ever it is around me. Charles Crawford. He's one of the most important person in my life. Our friendship goes way back since middle school. He was popular with girls back then and now too but that doesn't get in the way of our friendship until I accidentally got a little crush on him.

Since then I try to distance myself from him but that boy just won't stop bugging me that finally I learn how to hide my feelings and be my usual self around him.

I turn and saw him chatting with Ethan and I let out a sigh. I'm glad he didn't notice it. The way my heart beats when I'm with him. Deep down I knew he will never notice it.

"Hey Kylie! Hurry up we're going out." Charles voice capture my attention.

"What?"

"Your parents ask me to take you out since it's your birthday. And I got a little surprise for you." He winks at me and pull my hand into his, dragging me out of my house.

Before we left he shout "Mr. Hood I'll take good care of her. I'll return her in one piece." He grip my hand a little softer now as he lead me to his car.

"So what's the big surprise," I gave him a look as I closed the car door.

He lean closer and closer until we were inches away and only God knows how my face turns a bright red then. "Before that..." he moves his hand closer to my face and instantly I close my eyes. I hear a chuckles then I feel something tightening against my body.

I open my eyes and look a seat belt was put on me. "Don't forget your seat belt was what I'm going to say. But you gave me such an interesting look I feel the need to tease you." He laugh as he start his engine.

In that moment all I want to do was strangle him right there.

***

So how's the chapter so far? :D