Neglect

Chapter 1

Ma

Maeve

Ma practice ended. Are you on             Sent at 5.10 pm
your way over? xx

Ma?? The coaches offer to drive
me home because you're not here yet.
Everyone else is gone home.                 Sent at 5.17 pm

I've told them you're parked down the
road. I will try to catch the
bus that passes by our road.               Sent at 5.23 pm

Ma

Oh, sorry, love, I was at Johnny's
game. You get home okay?                Sent at 5.30 pm

Maeve

Yeah, I just walked through the
door now.                                                Sent at 5.33 pm

I sighed as I placed my bags by the door. It turns out the bus's last stop by my house is at 4.40, so isn't that just my luck?

My clothes were soaked through, and I heard the squelch of water every step I took through the house. I was greeted by my 4-year-old dog Murphy, who greeted me with a wagging tail and his tongue sticking out.

I immediately smiled. Even when my own Ma forgets about me, I knew Murphy's loyalty to me would never sway.

"Hey, Murph," my dog whined in response and turned onto its back while sticking his tongue out.

"Oh, you wanna belly rub, huh?" I asked as I started scratching his stomach. I stopped as I felt my stomach grumbling.

"How many pounds do you think Maeve gained over winter break? Like 10,15? Her thighs are like way thicker now."

The voices of those girls in the hallway echoed in my ears as I walked by the kitchen and up to the room.

Skipping dinner once won't hurt.

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I had She Will Be Loved by Maroon Five playing in my ears as Johnny burst through my door into my room

My pencil swooshed across my paper, ruining the perfect notes I had been writing.

"Why are you barging into my room? I could've been getting changing for all you know."

"What the hell are you doing sitting on your lazy ass doing nothing? Ma's been busy all day, and you don't even have the decency to check your phone and see her texts?

My heart churned painfully at his first sentence. Being sensitive sucks.

"Oh, so I texted her, and she didn't respond, but suddenly she texted me, and I didn't respond, and it's the end of the world? The double standards in this house are crazy, Johnny." I replied bitterly

"Stop being so fucking selfish just go downstairs and apologize and do whatever her text says," Johnny sneered at me.

He's always in a bad mood lately. Unfortunately, I'm normally the one he takes it out on. I mean, Gibs is his best friend, Ma and Da are well, Ma and Da, and all his friends would drop him if he talked to them like he does me.

I guess that leaves the spare one: me.

I finally looked down at my phone and saw two messages from Ma. One said Johnny had won his match. I rolled my eyes internally. Only Ma knew to tell me about Johnny's successes every chance she could.

The other one asked if I could set up the table for dinner and let Sookie and Murphy out for a run with Bonnie and Cupcake.

I looked up regretfully at Johnny. "I'll go do it now. Sorry, I didn't realize she texted. I would've done it immediately." I tried to reason with him, but Johnny was stubborn in that way. If he had one thing set in his head, it wouldn't be budging.

"It's already done. The least you can do is apologize to Mom and then come for dinner."

The word dinner set my mind on a whirlwind thinking about those girls from school earlier.

"I already ate," I blurted out.

"You already ate?" Johnny stared at me, confused. "None of Ma's food has been touched, and no plates or bowls are in the sink or dishwasher?"

Shoot, I didn't think he would ask me about it. I thought he'd nod his head and go back downstairs.

"I got something on the way home" was the only logical excuse I could devise. Johnny's piercing eyes stare and analyze me, freaking me out beyond belief.

Johnny's questionable eyes didn't stay for long as they quickly changed to anger.

"You don't answer any of Ma's texts, and then you dare to get your food knowing damn well there's an entire meal cooked here?"

I looked down in shame. "I was tired and hungry on my way home, so I just walked. I got the chipper and grabbed a quick bite. I didn't think it'd do much harm."

"God, you're even more selfish than I thought. You're not needed at dinner anymore." With a final retort, Johnny spun on his heels and slammed the door behind him.

I quickly looked down at my notes—the looming effects of Johnny's hurtful words echoing in my head.

After finishing my notes, I got into bed and closed my eyes. My arms hugged my waist tightly, trying to stop my stomach from grumbling.