𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬

7- Ricardo

When I arrived home I immediately spotted Miguel's crappy car standing in the driveway. I could hear music blasting from inside the house and I knew my dad invited some friend over to get drunk and party. I made my way into the house and quickly turned around ready to speed to my room and lock the door, when I felt a pull at my hair. I didn't have to turn around to know it was my dad who pulled my hair. I smelled his from alcohol reeking breath and his muffy smell.

"Give me your fucking money slut. I need new alcohol and you have to get it for me."

I froze and tried turning around to see his face but wasn't able to since he was still pulling my hair. I whispered silently not wanting to make him mad:

"I don't have money to buy alcohol." I knew damn well he knew I earned money from somewhere, he just didn't knew from where. If he would find out I got the money from illegal fighting he would do anything in his power to keep me home. He obviously didn't want me to get stronger or else he was afraid I would fight back next time.

He slapped me across the face making me fall to the ground and whispered in my ear:

"I know good enough you earn money for being a slut. What? You think I wouldn't notice you sneaking out of the house to blow some old dude? You're a fucking whore, Zina. And If you dont believe it, I would be happy to remind you again. Or did the words on you arm fade? Do I have to remind you again that you're a slut? Do I have to crave those words in your flesh again? Huh, do you want me to do that again bitch?"

I shook my head in fear. I would rather have him thinking I was a prostitue than him knowing about the illegal fighting.

"Now I'm going to ask again. Go fucking buy me alcohol!" He gave me a last kick and walked away. I slowly got up, still sore from the new beatings and the old ones and limped up the stairs to my room. I searched trough the pile of clothes until I found the money. I still had about two thousand dollars left to buy things with. I just took it all with me, in case I saw something I wanted to purchase for myself. It has been a long time ago since I bought something for myself. I remember the last thing being a pair of leggings, which I needed to fight in, but I threw them away when they got dirty from my blood and never had the chance to buy a new pair.

I quietly get down the stairs. Miguel can't see me now because he will discover the money and take it away from me. I successfully make it to the door unnoticed and lock the door behind me. Even tho it's spring, it's still really cold outside at this time. I immediately regret not putting on my jacket but stop when I think back about the possibility of Miguel seeing me. I need to get over it. I try my best to make my hands feel warm and start walking to the towns center, since there are night shops where I can buy Tito's Vodka and some lone star beers. I know my dad prefers those and wouldn't be happy if I come home with other alcohol.

It's getting dark and I know the street light will soon spring on. I walk trough the town square, and look around while I walk, making sure no ones watching me. When I arrive at stars nightshop I finally feel like I can breathe again. I have known Ricardo for a while since it's definitely not the first nor the last time I come to buy alcohol for my parents.

I enter the nightshop and hear a ring, making my presence known. I got 20 dollars from my parents to buy them liquor. I hope I can find the liquor they want and I hope the owner of this shop will let me buy it. I don't look remotely close to 21 after all. I'm only 5"1 and I don't act or sound mature. I'm still a child and even a blind person could know that. I walk around the shop looking out for Tito's Vodka and lone star beers. I see them standing next to all the other alcohol. I never knew there was so much different brands of alcohol; there are really colorful ones and really boring ones. There are fun names like 'moonshot' and there are boring names like 'shiner bock'.