And So Romeo Forgot His Lines

And So Romeo Forgot His Lines {10}

***Seamus’s POV***

It was intense. Both of us needed the last spot to win. Lizzy drew a card and I swear I watched her wipe sweat away. I placed down a chip and drew a card as well. I kept my poker face but inside I cheered. I had won.

Lizzy placed a chip down and drew. I grinned. “Shame, no!” she cried as I slapped down my chip. “In your face bitch! I won!” I cheered, pointing to the Sequence board. “NO!” she cried. I didn’t cheer too much though. I had lost last week.

You see, every Friday, Lizzy and I played a game of Sequence. Loser had to clean the dishes, mow the lawn, vacuum, clean the bathrooms, and wash the counters. Winner only had to make the beds and clean their own room. Sequence was the fairest way we could decide since it was a game of chance.

She looked defeated. “Shame, it’s going to take me hours!” she moaned. “Well, it took me hours last week,” I said, sticking out my tongue and lighting a cigarette. The front door opened as we put away the game.

Alex thought I didn’t know where my mom was. Oh, I always knew where she was. She was always at work. She liked to lose herself there. I couldn’t blame her. My mom wasn’t an alcoholic or druggie or anything. Oh sure, she liked to have a drink or two every Friday at 5 but that was it. And she smoked sometimes but she was trying to quit.

Mom walked in and gave us a tired smile. I never really got used to her not being around, but I dealt with it. I wasn’t a little kid anymore. “Who lost?” Lizzy miserably raised her hand. Mom chuckled. “I’ll do the dishes okay?” Lizzy sighed in relief. “Hey! No fair! You didn’t help me last week,” I snapped. “But I mowed the lawn for you 2 weeks ago,” she pointed out. Dammit. She was right.

She ruffled my hair. “Stop doing that!” I cried and flipped it into place. “Aw, little Shame is just jealous that mom loves me more!” Lizzy said, sticking her tongue out at me. I glared, anger rising. “SHUT UP!” I roared and stomped upstairs.

I hated it. My mom did favor Lizzy. I glared at the chipping wallpaper. Alex’s voice calling my house ghetto echoed. My house wasn’t ghetto. It just looked it because we never took care of it anymore. We had a lot of money. Lizzy had been through college and lived with us just to care for me. I felt bad about that.

Mom’s job made enough money where if I wanted something, I could get it. I heard a knock on my door. “Leave me alone Lizzy!” I yelled. The door creaked open anyways. Lizzy came in, looking upset. “I’m sorry Shame. That was really mean of me.” Lizzy and I were actually pretty close.

She came and sat next to me. “She wants to talk to you,” Lizzy said quietly. “Well, I don’t want to talk to her,” I said acidly. I turned on my speakers to listen to Papa Roach’s “Last Resort”.

Lizzy rolled her eyes and got up. She left my room and a few minutes later, mom walked in. Oh joy. “What happened to your arm?” she asked. I glared at the stupid sling. “I burned it.” “A cigarette?” I shook my head. “Some bastard in school spilled acid on it.”

Mom’s eyes widened. “What the fuck kind of school did I send you to?!” she cried. I glared. “Oh shut up. You don’t care. Just go back to Lizzy. I don’t want to talk to you.” She sighed. “Seamus, I don’t favor her. I love you both the same.”

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.” I took a long drag and closed my eyes. “How is school?” mom asked, sounding pathetic. “Wonderful mother. I’ve got all A’s and they’re planning to have me graduate early. I have more friends than anyone, was voted most popular, got a personal invite from the president, am going to Harvard, and all the teachers adore me.”

She sat down next to me. I handed her my cigarette and she took a drag before handing it back. “What about Richie?” “What about him?” “You’re still friends?” “No shit Sherlock. Oh and Alex Arnold has to come over to work on a project with me every day.” Mom looked amused. “I remember her. Lizzy and I always had to go to school to get you out of trouble for picking on her.”

And dad. He got me out of a lot too.

I instantly cursed in my head. I never mentioned dad. Ever. Not even in my head. It was like The Game. Think of it, and you lose. I glanced at my covered wrists quickly.

Mom stood up. “What do you want for dinner?” I shrugged. “Ask Lizzy,” I said bitterly. She sighed. “Seamus, I don’t favor either of you.” Got that right you selfish old bitch.

Actually, my mom was pretty. She was just an older version of Lizzy. Long red hair that reflected whatever light it could capture, wet green eyes, white skin that managed to look good, and a solid form. My mom and Lizzy had different eyes than me. Different colors. I had dad’s eyes and facial structure.

Dammit.

Why was I thinking of him?

He was gone.

Mom was watching me. “Are you okay Seamus?” I shook my head. “No. Now leave me alone.” “Well, what’s wrong? I can’t read your mind.” “Then I’ll dye my hair back red!” I exploded and regretted it when I saw the hurt on mom’s face. She took pride in the whole red head thing.

But I never apologized for anything unless the apology was me kidding around. “Get out,” I said coldly. She looked at me with sad eyes before turning to leave. I locked my door and sighed before heading over to my bed to sit. I pulled out my pocket knife and put out my cigarette.

Revenge for thinking of dad.

Thoughts of him brought intense pain I could never describe.

I slit my wrists then. As I drew the blade across, I shuddered at the wonderful pain. It distracted my mind away from thoughts of dad. Blood dripped steadily to the floor. I wasn’t sure how long I had been doing it, but mom called us down for dinner.

I pulled my sleeves over the slits and went down to eat.