I was shook awake by Zoe and we walked inside my parents house. Of course this is were Zoe would choose to stay. She's the favorite child. We all got out of the camper van and my stomach rumbled as everyone laughed at me. Probably because of what Caspar did to me. Whatever. We walked inside and my parents hugged everyone but me. I dont know what I was expecting. I ran away from home every other day just to get some air and collect my thoughts. I stood at the foot of the stairs as they were talking about sleeping arrangements.
"Your dad and I were actually about to go on holiday so Jim and Tanya why dont you take our room? Zoe, Im sure you want your old room. Its still like how you left it. Caspar why don't you take Joe's room. Its not that bad. Marcus you can have the guest room and Jor sweetheart, you can sleep on the couch." My mum hit me in the back as her and Dad left the house.
Everyone was heading to there rooms as I dragged my suitcases into the lounge. I sat them against a wall and then unzipped one of them. I took out my folded clothes and sat them on the shelf were we'd put our christmas village. Its November so it only figures they'd have the shelf up. I plugged in my charger and hooked my phone too it. Pretty much it. I figured I wouldn't have my room so I didn't pack much.
I looked out the window to see them all climbing into the old tree house. I sighed at all the memories of them pushing me out and laughing when I'd cry. I'm younger and I can't change that. So I have to deal with the consequences. I walked up the stairs since no one was inside and looked down the hallway. The bathroom I usually used was at the end of the hall. When I'd walk by Zoe's room her and Tanya would scare me causing me to pee my pants. They always thought it was so funny. But it honesty wasn't and looking back on it, it's still not the least bit funny.
I looked at my bedroom door and realized my mum had ripped off the bubble letter sign I'd made that read, Joe's room: don't come in unless I say you can. Please follow that rule. Thank you. -Joesph. That sign took me a week of art class. I guess the memory is what really matters. I guess what hurts most about it, is that fact Zoe's one minute sign is still on her door. I could hear Alfie and her giggling when they went upstairs. That's probably why.
I knew I shouldn't look in my room. It was Caspar's now. Mum and Dad always liked Casp more than anyone of Zoe's friend. She used to put me in the guest room when he was over. I just stared at the door remembering what my room used to look like. They probably remodelled it. Got new wallpaper, sold my desk. Emptied the box of artwork I'd made at my desk. They probably told all there new friends Zoe drew them. But I don't see why people would buy it once they know me. I drew short comic books and video game ideas. Of course nothing big happened with them but they were fun.
I hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen as I got my call from Oli. Only meant to be expected at this point. I answered the call as I grabbed a pitcher from the cabinet. Seeing how hot it was I decided to make some lemonade for everyone.
"Hey Joe. What's up?"
"I just got here. I unpacked my things already. I'm making some lemonade right now."
"How does your room look? Same as when you left it?" I felt my heart break as I poured the powder into the water in the pitcher.
"Joe? You there? Joe?"
"I... Dont get to sleep in my room. Caspar does." I explained, sitting the pitcher on the table as I grabbed a spoon. I heard silence on the other end and looked at my phone to see he'd ended the call. I turned off my phone and sat in the spot I'd always eat at the dinner table and began to stir the lemonade.
I sat in between my Mum and my dad. If I didn't eat what they wanted me to, I'd be hit by them both as punishment. Same if I sang, burped, talking, gulped my water, had to hiccups etc. Eventually Zoe and I both got used to it. When Zoe did any of these things she got a warning first. I just got what was coming to me. I always have. When I go to Oli's he tells me I can talk at the table. When we have dinner and I burp I expect to get hit. I wince and then realize he's not going to hit me. It's just what I do. Thats whats normal for me. Expecting to feel pain for no reason. Sometimes I scare myself thinking about them. I know that shouldn't be normal but, oh well.
I finished the lemonade and opened the front door.
"I'VE MADE SOME LEMONADE, IF YOU'D LIKE A GLASS YOU CAN COME GET IT!"
I waited for a few minutes the realised no one was coming.
"If they all want to hang out with Zoe that's fine." I mumbled to myself as I went inside to get myself a glass.
