𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤 | 𝘙𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟔

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤 |
𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐞?

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐍'𝐓 𝐌𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏. After school, I needed to let off some steam, so I headed to the boxing gym. The suspension didn't sit well with me, even though l'd do it all over again.

It was quiet when I walked in, but it never stayed that way for long. As soon as I closed the door, I heard him—my father's booming voice echoing through the halls. His anger was unmistakable. My mother's softer, murmured responses were barely audible, as usual.

I sighed, kicking off my shoes, and headed for the stairs. Maybe if I moved quickly enough, I could avoid him altogether. But, of course, luck was never on my side.

"Rafe!" His voice snapped through the air like a whip. I barely made it two steps before his hand gripped my arm, yanking me back.

I turned to face him, already bracing myself. His face was flushed, his expression a mix of disappointment and fury. "Suspended? After a- what? A month?"

I pulled my arm free, glaring back. "It's nothing serious, dad."

His eyes narrowed. "Do you think this is acceptable behavior?Did we really raised you like that?"

"I did it because of Catalina," I snapped.

The moment her name left my lips, his face shifted slightly. The anger was still there, but something else was mixed there too. Catalina's name carried weight, and we both knew it.

"For a girl?" he said, his tone softening but not entirely losing its edge. "You threw punches for a girl?"

I glanced at my mother,  her sad face making my chest ache.
"Yea, I actually throw punches for a woman and not at a woman, dad."

By his face expression I knew that I hit a nerve and that probably in the next few seconds I was gonna be the one that is getting hit.

Before he could respond, another voice cut in.

"Stop screaming at him all the time!"

I turned to see my little sister standing on the stairs, her small frame radiating defiance. Sienna was young, but she wasn't afraid to stand up to him.

My father's demeanor changed instantly. She was his favorite, and she knew it.

He softened his voice, addressing her like she was fragile glass.
"Your brother did something wrong, beautiful. I'm just trying to make sure he understands."

She crossed her arms, her expression stubborn. "He protected his girlfriend so he didn't do anything wrong."

"Girlfriend?" my father echoed, turning back to me.

"It's not official yet," I admitted, running a hand through my hair. "But I like her."

For a moment, he said nothing, just looked at me. Then he sighed, rubbing his temple. "Catalina's dad is a good friend, Rafe. If you're serious about her, this could be good for you. For us."