When Can I Hear Your Voice?

Dinner -Jace

"Thanks for having me over for dinner"

"No problem, you are always welcome here."

"Why?"

"Because, Matty was a jerk to you so this is our way, as his family, of saying sorry about him."

Matt looked really lost in thought so I started talking with his brother. His sister, at least I assume she is, brought us out food, "My name is Trix, enjoy the food mkay?"

I stare at the plate of food. There was so much, I smell it. It's freshly cooked, "Thank you so much for the food!"

I must have been eating too quick because Otto was giving me a funny look, "No one is going to take the food from you." Then he smiles, "Don't get enough at home?"

I know he meant it as a joke but I answered seriously, "I haven't had a decent meal like this is a few weeks. My father's pay got cut and we barely had enough to pay for the rent so we have been living on instant noodles and take out." I trail off as the three look intently at me.

Matt had snapped out of his own world and rejoined us, "Really? I had no idea." guilt spread across his face.

Otto glared at him then warmly looked at me, "Then we are happy to feed you. Eat as much as you want and we'll even send some home with you."

"Th-thanks"

After the long dinner, which felt like forever, we got into the car. On the car ride home I sit in back and stay quiet. I looked at my phone and saw a text response from my dad. I told him I was going to be home late. When I 'called' him earlier I wasn't actually on the phone with him. Cause I can't actually h-

"This is your stop. I hope to see you soon. It was nice meeting you."

"See you tomorrow Jace."

"Bye Matt, Bye Otto."

"He was a total freak! My brother made me have him over for dinner! I was so mad; I tried not to talk to him."

"If you are going to talk bad about me, could you at least wait until I am not around?"

"Jace?" there was a slight redness in his cheeks.

"Yeah?" Matt stood up and walked over to me. We were in the school yard before class started.

"You really piss me off you know that?"

"What did I-"

He punched me in the stomach; the blow knocks me to the ground. He proceeds to kick me and hit me. I curl into a ball, trying and failing, to protect myself.

"You" kick, "really" kick "fucking" kick "piss me off!" He furiously kicks me over and over.

I begin to silently cry he stops beating me, "Le-leave me a-alone M-M-Matt!" I get up and limp, run away.