Opposites Attract

Chapter One - The Ugly Truth

Chapter One - The Ugly Truth

   "So, why do you have a blanket in you car?" my voice shattered the silence that hung over us. After the call with my mother, things fell into an awkward silence. The only sounds to be heard were his steady breaths and my sharp intakes of air when lightning flashed across the dark sky.

   "I'm spending the night sleeping in my truck," Alex answered, seemingly unfazed. This answer only caused more questions to fill my mind up and in my sleep deprived state, I apparently had no filter.

   "Oh, why is that?" oh my god, I was pushing for answers. I bite my lip and play with my thumbs. It was obvious I was getting on his nerves my the way his grip on the wheel slowly tightened.

   "My father wanted me gone while some business associates were over." They way he said it made it perfectly clear he was irritated. Why would his dad want him out of the house though? In all honesty that seemed pretty damn harsh.

    "Is your truck even that comfortable?" I shimmy my hips slightly and grimace. "Because my ass is numb."

   "No, it fucking sucks. Why else would I be awake at two in the morning?" Well someone was grumpy today. It made sense though. I was somewhat surprised that his only option was for the truck. Alex's father was like some business legend.

   "You're right," as soon as those two words leave my lips, another wave of silence covers the two of us. A soft yawn escapes my lips and I rest my head gingerly on the window. Walking really did pay off in the end I guess.

   Fifteen minutes later, the excruciating silence finally ended as we pulled up to the front of my house. What really caught my attention though was the fact that my mom's car was gone for once and the front door was wide open. "No," I say, hardly above a whisper as my heart fell into the pit of my stomach.

   "What's going on?" Alex's voice caught me off guard and I jumped visibly at the sound of his voice. Shit, honesty or lie? Against my better judgement, I opted for honesty. It is the best policy after all.

   "I don't know..." It was like I didn't even have control over my body as he shut the ignition off and hopped out of his side. My door opened moments later and Alex watched my cautiously. With a feeble thank you, I slowly trudge towards the agape entrance. In fact, I was so out of it that I didn't even notice Alex was following me.

   Reluctantly, I flick on the switch and the main entrance filled up with light only seconds later. The buzz are thing was that everything looked normal. My grip on the duck slippers released over the shoe rack and a wave of anxiety hit me when I notice that none of my mums shoes were there.

   "She couldn't have meant it." I all but hoped my thoughts were true but as I toured each and every room within the house, it seemed less and less likely. The last room to go was actually my mother's bedroom and as slowly as I could, I twisted and forced the door open.

   "No," my voice betrayed whatever facade I was trying to pull because it was obviously raw. Her room was literally empty aside from the furniture and the smashed bottle. That must have been what shattered on the phone. Moments later my legs have out and I fall to my knees on the hardwood floor.

   "Leah, what the fuck is happening?" Alex's voice rang clear from behind me and as tears pricked at my eyes.

   "She's gone," I finally said, my face becoming void of my conflicting emotions. Underneath my skin however, was the exact opposite. I was a bloody mess and I was so damn tired. Leaning forward, I gently rest my forhead on the cool floor as my emotions betray me and let three tears free fall.