Family

FIFTEEN

He was drowning, but nobody saw his struggle.

Present || Leonardo

Pretending as if I hadn't heard him, I carried on limping, trying to straighten my leg but a burst of pain shot through it, making me whimper.

Heavy footsteps walked closer to me and a pair of hands grabbed my shoulders and turned me around.

"I asked you a question. What. Happened. To. Your. Leg?" Father stared at me, his grey eyes burning with anger, lips forming a thin line.

He was angry.

My eyes travelled to the door behind me and as if he knew what I was going to do, Father warned me in a low voice," Don't."

My body trembled as I looked my father dead in the eyes, before sprinting out of his bedroom. My leg felt as if it would snap off any second but I carried on running. I couldn't let him find out.

In the midst of my panic, I didn't notice the figure in front me and collided with them. I fell to the ground and whimpered, rubbing my ankle in a soothing motion before trying to get up again.

"Stop him Antonio." Came father's cold voice.

My eyes widened as my older brother reached down and grabbed my collar before yanking me up and wrapping his arms around me.

I struggled in his hold, trying to make him let go but he had a death grip on me. His arms tightened and he carefully picked me up, dropping me over his shoulders.

"Don't move Leonardo." He coldly instructed me.

Fear overtook my survival mode and I stopped moving instantly, trembling over his shoulder. I didn't want them to find out. They couldn't find out.

We entered father's office and Antonio sat me down on the leather couch, warning me with his eyes to stay where I was.

My back straightened, feeling father's eyes on me and I fiddled with my fingers. Why did he notice?

"Leonardo."

I raised my head to be met with father's piercing stare.

"Your leg." It wasn't a question anymore and it was clear his patience was running out.

Antonio glanced at father," Dad you know kids these days, he probably fell down somewhere. You're worrying over nothing."

Well that was true, I did get shoved down the stairs the other day but I doubt I should mention it. Not like either of them would believe me, or care to even listen. 

Father's eyes narrowed at Antonio," Your his older brother, I'd expect you to show some more concern towards him." 

I wanted to laugh. Antonio? Showing concern towards me? That wouldn't even happen in my dreams let alone reality.

"Show me your leg Leonardo."

My face drained of colour and I slowly shook my head.

Father sighed before walking up to me and in one swift motion, raised my trouser leg. Two pairs of eyes widened at the sight of my ankle. The entire area looked swollen and my pale skin was covered in a dark purple. It hurt just looking at it.

"Who did this?" Antonio asked in a dark voice. His jaw was clenched and his shoulders were tensed.

Tears welled in my eyes at the memory.

I was on my way back to the dorm room after just finishing class, all the energy I had this morning had been used up on that maths lesson.

Groaning, I rubbed a tired hand over my face. Derek's maths homework still wasn't completed and it must've been overdue by now. He was going to murder me.