Pretty Boy

16

"No," I whispered. "No! I don't wanna go home!"
"Dan, you have to. My family can't support you forever,"
"What if I get a job? A-And pay rent. What if-"
"Dan, we cannot legally keep you at my house until you're a legal adult," Phil said. "I'm sorry but, it needs to be done. I need to take you back."
"I don't wanna go," I cried.
"Come on," he tugged at my hand.
"Can we stay here for a bit longer?"
Phil flashed me a warm smile and lightly held my hand. "Of course."

***

"I don't wanna go," I mumbled. "Can you come in with me?"
"Do you want me to get killed?"
"Phil," I whined.
"Dan, I love you and you know I'm always there to support you but, this is something you need to do, on your own,"
"But-"
"Go," he kissed my forehead. "I'll be right out here I'd you need me. Okay?"
"Okay..."

I slowly stepped out of the car and hesitantly walked up to the front door. I slid my key into the door, but it wouldn't budge.

Fucker changed the locks

I angirly shoved my keys into my pocket and lightly knocked on the old, wooden door. I tapped my foot as I anxiously waited in anticipation

Ba bum
What if he kicks me out for good?
Ba bum
What if he disowns me?
Ba bum
What if he blames me?
Ba bum
What if-

"Dan?" Adrian answered. "I thought dad kicked you out,"
"Yeah, for a week...may I come in?"
"Yeah, yeah, of course," he showed me inside.
"Where's dad?"
"Work," he said.
"Does he know I'm coming back today?"
"I don't know...probably not..."
"When is he getting home?"
"Ade!"
"Now," he whispered. "Hide, if you want,"
"No...no. I-I'll be fine..."
"Adrian, answer me! Where are you!"
"In the living room!"
"How was..." he trailed off. "Daniel..."
"Dad..."
"I didn't think you'd be home so soon..."
"Well, it has been a week..."
"Alright Dan," he sighed. "A lot happened the day your mother died. I'd like to start by saying sorry. Sorry for the way I acted, sorry for blaming you, sorry for kicking you out," he took a minute to pause. "And...and I'm sorry for what I'm about to say..."
"Why?"
"Daniel, when your mother died, I received a hefty life insurance bill,"
"Where are you going with this dad?"
"You're going to a boarding school, Daniel...one far away from Phil,"
"What...no!"
"You have two months to break up with him."
"Dad," I cried. "This isn't fair!"
"I'm sorry Daniel-"
"Stop calling me that! My name is Dan! Not Daniel!"
"I'm just doing what your mother would have wanted. Besides, it is his fault."
"How! How is it his fault? He didn't do anything! He wasn't the jackass that crashed into mum's car!"
"Daniel-"
"Stop it!" I cried. "My name is Dan! That woman was the only person who ever called me Daniel, and I hated her!"
"I am your father and I will call you whatever I damn well please!" he yelled. "You have two months and I don't want you going over his house anymore unless you need to. For a project or something along those lines,"
"This is bullshit!"
"Watch your mouth! Just for that, you're resigning from that shitty garden club and I'm blocking his number on your phone,"
"No..." I whispered.
"What was that?"
"I said no! I'm not breaking up with Phil! I'm not blocking his number! And I'm not going to a fucking boarding school!" I yelled. "I hate you!" I cried as I pushed my way out of the house; luckily, Phil was still waiting in my driveway.
"Drive," I sobbed.
"Daniel! Get back here!" Dad scolded.
"Drive!"
"Okay," Phil whispered as he backed out. "Your dad is gonna call the police on me...I hope you know that,"
"I know, and I'm sorry,"
"So where are we going?"
"Anywhere but here..."
"What the hell happened?"
"A lot," I mumbled.
"Care to tell me? I might just cheer you up," he smiled.
"Highly doubt it,"
"Try me,"
"Dad said that it's your fault my mother died,"
"I already knew that," he sighed. "What else?"
"I'm getting sent to a boarding school next year..."
"What..." he whispered. "We'd never see each other..."
"I also," I trailed off.
"You also what?"
"My dad says we have to break up," I cried.
"When?" he choked out.
"I have two months,"
"What if we don't break up by then?"
"I don't know...I honestly don't want to find out but at the same time, I don't want to break up..."
"I don't wan a break up either..." he whispered as he held my hand.
"Let's run away together,"
"Alright," he shrugged. "Where would you wanna go?"
"I wanna go back to London..."
"That'd be nice," he smiled. "But, we still have one more year of secondary. After that, we'll run away together,"
"You promise?"
"I swear."