Sterling's Home For Troubled Boys

Chapter 3

When I'm finally done packing (for real this time) I walk to the kitchen to get a water bottle. I'm thirsty as fuck. I make my way to the kitchen and open the fridge, getting a water bottle and opening it before turning around. It was dead silent. I look up and see my parents, some older guy, and two guys who look like their in there late teens. I glance at them before ignoring them and I start to make my way to my room.

"Atlas." I hear my father's cold voice, it makes me flinch slightly before stopping in my tracks. I slowly turn around, glaring at him. I'm not going to let this asshole talk to me like that.

He glares right back, giving me his dead eyes. Younger me would be shitting my pants right now. "Here. Now." he demands coldly. I roll my eyes and walk over there, the water bottle still in my hand.

"What?" I ask, my eyes glaring into his. "Inroduce yourself. Haven't I taught you any manners?", he growls.

"No. You haven't. That was Tio José." I glare, a smile plastered on my face. He knows exactly what that man did to me, but he chose to ignore it. Color drains from his face before he grits out "Just fucking introduce yourself".

I look at the strange people "Uh...hey? I'm Atlas, I guess..." I say awkwardly. The two boys chuckle, looking amused. What's so fucking funny? I glare at them before walking away.

"Atlas!" my mother shouts at me from the table. "Holy fucking shit, is my name just in everybody's fucking vocab today!?" I snap. The house goes dead silent for a good few seconds before my father speaks "Atlas...this man is the owner of the institution you're going to, these young men right here are the patients you'll be living with. Please be respectful." he says icily.

"Amazing.", I say sarcastically as I roll my eyes, "You're sending me away already? So eager to get rid of me, huh?" I chuckle to myself.

"Mijo...we don't want to do this-", I cut her off. "But you are. And who the fuck is 'we'? Dads been wanting to get rid of me since 8th grade.", I scoff. She gives me a sad look, "Lovebug...please just get better...for me?" she says, looking at me with hopeful eyes.

She knows how much I hate it when people say "for me", she's just using it against me. "...fine", I say quietly, but audible enough for all of them to hear me.

"Well that's great!" I hear an unfamiliar voice remark. It's the older man. "Well I'm very glad he's agreed to go willingly, we wouldn't have wanted to use force...but still, he will be in great care!" the man smiles at my parents. They both nod their head and look at me

"So...I'm going now?", they nod their heads once again, my mother looks sad, but my father's face remains cold and hard. "Damn dad, try not to show too much emotion", I say snarkily.

That's when he had enough and got out of his seat, and slowly started walking towards me. I don't want to show him I'm scared, so I stand my ground and look up at him. He is pretty tall, I think he's like 6 foot 2. I inherited my mom's height.

"Sir, why don't we all just settle down..." I hear the man suggest. But my father didn't hear him. He raised his hand and slapped me across the face. The pain shoots across my face quickly, it fucking stings. Everybody is alarmed by that and the man, who I assume is Mr.Sterling, steps infront of me, his arm shielding me.

"Sir...you are in a bad mood right now, and we get that, but please refrain from hitting your child." he says slowly. Several pairs of eyes are on me, and my cheek hurts like a bitch.

I glare at my father before lunging at him, my fists swinging wherever they can hit. I hear alot of yelling, and I'm getting pulled off of him.

"FUCK YOU!", I yell at him.

Two pairs of hands grab me from him, saying things I couldn't comprehend in the moment, one was in front of me, holding my wrists in his grasp, the other was holding me back by my waist.

"Do NOT touch me!", I snap, pushing the both of them away. They look suprised, but they let me go. I see Mr.Sterling helping dad to the kitchen, my mom is crying, and the other boys just look out of place.

Fuck. It happened again. I couldn't control my anger and ended up hurting someone I care about. Well...partially care about.

My mother looks at me with red eyes puffy eyes which let me know just how shitty I am and says, "Get your bags Atlas...you're going right now", words won't come out of my mouth, so I silently go to my room, one of the boys were directed to follow me.

"So this is your room, huh?", he ask curiously, his eyes scanning the room and I get my bag. I still can't say anything, so I just nod my head. He wants to say something, I know it, but no other words leave his throat.

After making sure I have everything, I look at him, gesturing that I'm ready. He chuckles and starts walking out of the room, I follow after him.

I see Mr.Sterling at the door with the other boy along with my parents, who are apologizing. I hate it when they apologize for shit I do. It makes me feel like I can't take accountability...which I partially can.

They both look at me, sadness no longer in their eyes only coldness. My father speaks first "Goodbye Atlas. We will see you when you're better. Until then, don't contact us. Or even try to for that matter.". Damn is he finally disowning me? Probably not. Not yet atleast.

I can't find the words to speak, so I just nod my head. My mother reaches out to touch my cheek, but I don't find comfort in it, only a sharp pain. Damn...this bitch just slapped me. Everybody looks at us in shock. I think they expected me to hit her back, but I don't, I just nod my head and walk outside, my nails digging into my palm.

My fists clench, and my eyes are watery and my throat starts to burn. But I don't blink, I am not about to look weak. After a few seconds the Mr.Sterling and the boys come out, he offers me a warm smile.

"Let's all get in the car, okay?", he says, one of the boys guide me to the car and I get in.