Exposed (#wattys2016)

chapter four

I got home around sunset, groggily opening the door after my long day. Missy was the only one home, and she sat upright at the kitchen table alone. I squinted my eyes, trying to get a better look at her.

"Missy?" I sat down across from her, tilting my head as she stared forward. I turned around to look at what she was staring at. Nothing was there.

"You okay?" I waved my hand in front of her face.

"I'm sick, Hale," She tried to hold back tears, blood shot eyes quivering like her lips, "I'm sick and I can't drink for two weeks."

I noticed a bottle of pills on the counter.

She started to cry, a single tear rolling down her cheek. Her lips were pressed shut forcefully until I noticed them shakily part again, "I'm going to die."

I sat back in my chair, crossing my arms as I watched Missy's tears. I laughed under my breath, "Really? You're fine."

I stood up and pushed my chair against the table, taking a few steps into the kitchen to fill a glass with tap water.

"I'm dying," Missy exclaimed now, throwing her head down onto the table.

I casually sipped my water, watching her get even more upset with each breath. "You're not dying, Missy. You're ok, just a little sick. Time to face reality."

I thought about the children, the money, the emotions the kids have towards their mother.

She didn't speak a word, her head against the table.

"I can't stay here forever, Missy. I got somewhere to be," I gave her a solid pat on the back, leaving again through the kitchen door. She was a sad excuse for a mother.

The cool air felt good against my skin as I started to walk. The streetlights flipped on, illuminating everything under them. I scanned the numbers on the houses as I passed them.

4391, 4389, 4387... 4385

I climbed the stairs of the house, hearing them creak with each footstep. Lights were on inside, so I knocked a few times. I heard muffled shouts getting closer to the door with each second. The door finally opened.

"Why are you here?" Caspian scowled, opening the door fully, "come in, I guess."

He stepped to the side, letting me enter the house. It smelled like cigarettes and sweat. I slipped my hands into my pockets, looking around at the mess which made my home feel like a castle.

"Ya gonna speak or not, bitch?" Caspian slammed the door shut behind me.

"I'm here for Liv. I don't really want to talk to you," I arrogantly told him.

Caspian backed away with his hands up like he was guilty of murder, calling for Liv up the stairs.

"I'll leave you two alone," Caspian winked, shoving a cigarette in his mouth as he walked into the kitchen and onto the back porch, a smirk escaping somewhere between his lips and cigarette.

I turned towards the stairs and Liv slowly walked down each step, looking at me with a confused expression.

"You're here for me?" She mumbled, arms crossed against her chest again.

I nodded, "Can we talk?"

She nodded again in reponse, sitting down on the step.

"I need to get something off my chest... to you. I'm gay," I told her with confidence, feeling the words flow just as freely as when I told Levi.

I watched her expression change, a half smile crawling onto her face.

"I'm happy you told me, Hale. Now I know. Every fucking guy I like is gay," she rolled her eyes, laughing to herself at the thought.