Alone

Chapter 1

The day my brother died, a part of me died with him.

I haven't been the same since.

I went from being outgoing, surrounded by friends, to becoming a loner, the quiet kid in the back of the class.

I used to be kind of popular, but now I'm just invisible.
And you know what? I prefer it that way.

I can't bear the thought of ever hurting or disappointing someone again.

So, I made myself a loner.
I was the one who distanced myself from everyone, cutting ties without explanation.
It's easier this way.

I'm currently sitting in a café next to the school on a Friday night, watching the clock tick closer to 8 pm.

I always stay out late at night, avoiding the inevitable confrontation with my parents.

They still haven't forgiven me.

My dad's eyes still hold the same contempt they did that day.

And my mom? She hasn't spoken a word to me since the funeral. Her silence hurts just as much as my dad's yelling.

"Olivia, you have to leave, we're closing up," the barista interrupts my thoughts.

They all know me here.
I've been coming to this café every single day since high school.
They probably think I'm weird for being here so often.

"Oh, sorry," I mutter as I gather my things and head for the door.

"See you on Monday?" the barista calls after me.

"Of course," I reply, the words feeling hollow as I step out into the night.

---

After leaving the café, I wander the streets until it's late, knowing my parents will be asleep by then.

It's a sad realization.
They don't seem to care where I am or when I come home.

I could disappear for days, and they probably wouldn't even notice.

At first, walking alone at night scared me, but now I've grown accustomed to it.
I even find solace in the darkness.

It's quiet, peaceful even, with no one around to judge or criticize.

Just me and my thoughts, alone in the night.

But right now I have to enter my home once again.
But my home hasn't felt like home for a while.

It's more like a hotel for me, a place to sleep.
Nothing more.

With a creak, the door swung open.

Terrified of waking my dad and facing his wrath, I stood there, paralyzed by fear.

The door has been making noises for a while now but I still freeze every single time.

I remember one time where he exploded in rage, striking me repeatedly as the neighbors called the police.

But they didn't do anything of course.
They couldn't have cared less.

But now, every time a door makes a loud noise I freeze up and shake.

As tears welled in my eyes, I stifled my sobs, pressing a trembling hand to my mouth to muffle the sound.

Finally, summoning every ounce of courage I had left, I forced myself to move forward.
With hesitant steps, I crossed the threshold and entered the dimly lit corridor.

As I went to go to the stairs I looked into the living room.

My dad was asleep on the couch with several empty bottles besides him.

He hadn't slept in their bed for seven years, ever since that fateful day.

And it's all my fault.

—

I know this is a short chapter but after chapter 2 the chapters will be longer, I promise:)