Always You

Enza

I sprang up, sweat dripping down my face, yet another nightmare. It's insane how this happens every single night, messing with my sleep and throwing off my routine. You see, I'm on the Autism spectrum, but it's not that severe. One thing's for sure, though - I can't stand it when my schedule gets messed up.
Everything has to be timed perfectly, no room for last-minute changes. It stresses me out big time.
Glancing at the clock, I saw it was 5 am. Might as well start getting ready for school. I got out of bed, grabbed my towel and a change of clothes, and made my way to the bathroom down the hall, hoping to avoid running into my dad or siblings. Sneaking into the bathroom without being noticed, I took a deep breath and began my morning routine.

After my shower, I put on my underwear and lotion, wrapped the towel around me, and went back to my room. I chose a pair of sweatpants and grabbed Jace's jacket that she had lent me. Looking at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but smile at the fact that I was wearing her Nike tech. I have a crush on Jace, but I have no idea how to handle it or if I should even do anything about it.

I'm scared of what it might do to our friendship and how she would react if I told her. I don't want to ruin what we have. Plus, she would never be interested in someone like me when she could have anyone at school.

I made my way downstairs and found my older siblings and dad gathered in the kitchen. Trying to be polite, I whispered a quiet "Good morning." As I glanced at my phone, I noticed a text from mom saying she had to leave for work early. I walked over to the fridge and grabbed the milk, intending to have some cereal. Just as I placed the milk on the counter, my dad approached me with a stern expression.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"I'm hungry," I stammered, feeling a bit nervous. Suddenly, he knocked the cereal box off the counter, causing me to jump in surprise.

"You're already fat enough, you don't need to eat!" he yelled, making me tremble with stress. I took a step back, fighting back tears. I tightly gripped the bottom of my jacket, trying to distract myself from the urge to scratch my skin. It's insane how my dad always behaves like this, but I still can't get used to it. Even when mom is around, he physically and verbally abuses me, and although she tells him to stop, she never truly stands up for me.

"Oh, and by the way, you're walking to school," my older brother Alex smirked, adding insult to injury. Our school was a good 30 minutes away on foot. I grabbed my bag and headed towards the door. If I wanted to make it to school on time, I might as well start walking now.

I strolled down the street with one of my AirPods in, keeping the volume low to avoid getting overwhelmed. A group of kids from school zoomed past in a car, hurling insults, but I brushed it off - I was used to it by now. Arriving at school, I made a beeline for my locker. While I was organizing my books, Jace snuck up behind me and playfully grabbed my waist.

"Hey Enza, why didn't you text me back?" Jace inquired, spinning me around.

I chuckled, shaking my head at her jealousy and protectiveness. Maybe, just maybe, she had feelings for me.

I had a rough morning, barely even had time to check my phone," I mentioned, gently nudging her to give us some space. "Oh, I've been searching for this jacket everywhere," she replied, adjusting the hood so it sat just right on my shoulders. "It suits you, Enza," she added, planting a quick kiss on my cheek before heading off to her class. I shut my locker and popped in my headphones. Jace never seemed to mind, but having her around always attracted unwanted attention that made me uneasy. I could sense the stares as I hurried to my next class. Running into my sister, she shot me a death glare that sent shivers down my spine. I quickly picked up my fallen book, meeting her gaze. "I'm sorry," I mumbled. She smirked and walked away. Finding my seat at the back of the classroom, I tried to calm my racing nerves. Once I settled down, I focused on the lesson. I always found criminal justice class intriguing, delving into the minds of criminals.

After the final bell rang, I couldn't wait to get out of school. It was a boring day, but I was excited to hang out with Jace later. My mom said she could come over since it was Friday, and that was the best part of my day. Jace had basketball practice first, so I knew she'd be a little late. As I stepped outside, I saw rain pouring down from the sky. My sister and brother walked out of the building, looking up at the dark clouds. "Can I catch a ride with you guys?" I asked, hoping they'd say yes. They just shook their heads and walked away. I felt so alone sometimes, even with my older siblings around. I sat under the covered area, waiting for the rain to stop.

As my phone buzzed, I quickly fished it out of my back pocket. The message on the screen made my face drain of color. Without wasting a second, I sprang to my feet and sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me, desperate to reach home before my dad. Deep down, I knew my luck was about to run out.

When I finally arrived home, my heart sank as I saw my dad's car parked in the driveway. To my surprise, my mom's car was also there. Maybe, just maybe, she would come to my rescue this time. I cautiously stepped into the house, only to be violently yanked by my hair. My dad forcefully pinned me against the wall, causing a nearby vase to crash to the ground. My mom appeared from around the corner, her face filled with confusion and concern, trying to make sense of the chaos.

My mom pleaded with her husband to let me go. "She's out late, she thinks it's fine to be out like a slut!" my dad shouted at me, pushing me to the ground. My hands landed on the broken glass from the vase, cutting my palms. I quickly got up and ran upstairs to the bathroom. I locked the door, not wanting anyone to disturb me. There was banging on the door, making me hyperventilate. "Enza, baby, it's Jace. Please open the door," Jace said with concern.

I held the door open for her, and without hesitation, she enveloped me in a tight hug. She didn't seem to mind the blood staining my hands, which could easily ruin her pristine white shirt. "What happened, baby?" Jace asked, concern evident in her eyes. I didn't answer her question, but tears streamed down my face. She gently guided me towards the sink, standing behind me. Jace took over, rinsing my hands and tending to my wounds. She carefully applied gauze to cover the cuts, ensuring they wouldn't become infected.

"I don't want to stay here tonight," I whispered, burying my face in her chest as she held me. Understanding my distress, she nodded and led me downstairs. The living room was empty, so we quietly made our way outside and started walking down the street. Luckily, her house was just two streets away, so it wasn't a big deal. The rain had finally stopped, leaving a calmness in the air. "Once we're at my house, go straight to the shower. I don't want you getting sick," Jace said, her voice tinged with anger.

"Are you angry with me?" I questioned. As we neared her front door, she halted and faced me. "Enza, I could never be angry with you. I'm only furious at those who hurt you. But we won't let them ruin our evening. I rarely have moments like this where I can truly be with you, so I'll ensure you have a great time." She planted a few kisses on my neck while speaking, causing a smile to spread across my face. "You make me feel jittery," I giggled. She smiled and gently kissed my cheek, dangerously close to my lips.