You promise?

Chapter 17

Char

The noise in the hallways is louder once the students get out of class.

It's been a week and a half since Alex arrived at my house.

Exactly a week and a half since his birthday.

It was two days later, when my anger and sadness over what happened faded, that I remembered that I completely ruined his birthday. I promised him a gift, I promised him a good day to remember, but I was the one who did nothing for him other than get mad at him for being there for me.

Being the only person in a long time to be there.

But the fear that I've ruined it has left me paralyzed so many times in front of his door.

I look at the display case full of awards in front of me, and I see the photo right in the middle.

Alex's beautiful smile hasn't changed over the years. I force myself to see only him, holding up a trophy, and not my brother, who is next to him, just as happy.

So happy.

I watch as my father's car parks, watch as he gets out of the car and slams the door into the house, and wait half an hour until the light in his room goes out as I start walking towards the gate.

I jump over it, careful not to make any noise. I climb up to my window with a ladder hidden under the weeds, enter my room, run to the door, making sure it's closed, and sigh with relief.

I see my empty room, with only the few clothes he couldn't grab because of his fit of rage.

I see my unmade bed and head over to it to curl up against the only pillow still available.

Before sleep overcomes me, I set an alarm early enough so that I have enough time to get out of the house before my father notices I've slept over.

Alex

"I know, I know, I need to bring all that stuff; don't push me; I just need to buy that stuff to get everything ready. I know, enough, Mosi, I'm hanging up!" I hang up the call, sighing, and grab my wallet and car keys before running to the door.

I open the door and step out, turning around to close it.

Before I know it, I bump into a small body.

I'm quick enough to steady us both before we fall.

My eyes closed in shock. I look down and freeze as I recognize the small head.

Char's eyes watch me nervously as she pulls away from me.

"Are you about to leave?" Her words leave me speechless. Her small smile, the wobble of her legs, and the movement of her hands tell me she is nervous, but stating the obvious is all she manages to say.

"I have to buy some things."

Almost three weeks, again.

It's been almost three weeks since I saw her lying in front of her house, completely soaked, crying after her father's violence.