We'll Be Fireproof

Chapter Twelve

Trigger Warning

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I don't know what to wear. He's going to look amazing no matter what and I'm going to look like a nerd. Why do I only own band tees and baggy sweaters? Nothing looks good. I'll never be enough for him.

I pull out a grey t-shirt, with rolled sleeves and an alien printed on the breast pocket. I tug it over my head and pull on some black jeans. I check my appearance in the mirror and sigh. My hair is a tumbleweed of blonde curls and it looks atrocious. I grab a burgundy beanie from the top of my closet and tug it over my curls. Better than nothing.

I push my glasses up my nose and sigh. I look like a fucking nerd. But, that just happens to be my natural look, I guess.

I trample down the stairs and turn the oven off. I made pizza, something easy and something my dad loves. Which means, a little-to-none chance of anything going wrong. Perfect.

Dad walks in just as I'm cutting the pizza. He throws his bag on the ground and storms to the fridge, pulling out a beer and cracking it open. I try not to act on edge.

"Hey dad, did you have a good day?" I ask, bluffing a smile. I get out a plate and serve him a slice, sliding it across the counter towards him.

"No. Kevin fucking Sanders messed up the godamn orders again. That fucker doesn't know a godamn thing." He takes a swig of his beer and leans back against the wall. I take a slice off the pan and take a bite.

"It's a good thing I made your favourite, then," I smile, my mouth full.

"I don't want pizza." He grumbles. Another swig.

"Oh, come on. I'm sure it'll make you feel better," I take another bite, still trying to cheer him up.

"I said I don't fucking want pizza!" He shouts, throwing his bottle of beer at me. It misses me by an inch and smashes on the wall behind me. I drop my plate in shock and he stomps over to me, grabs me by the shoulders and shoves me against the wall.

"You never fucking listen, do you, Simon?" He growls.

"I-I'm sorry I just-"

"Don't say a fucking word you godamn useless piece of shit." He leans down in one swift motion and all of a sudden there's a shard of glass pressing against my neck. I whimper, closing my eyes. Tears are falling down my cheeks and I try not to make any noise. He hates that.

"You never fucking listen. You only care about yourself. Isn't that right?" I don't dare to say a word. I know how it will end. He punches me. Hard. At least it's not the hand that holds the glass.

I wince and keep my eyes shut. I'm praying I get out of this okay.

"You're the reason Lucy is dead. My dear Lucy is dead because of you. You're a worthless piece of shit. I don't know why I've kept you for this long. All you do is cause me pain and inconvenience." He pulls his hand away from my neck. I breathe out and open my eyes.

"I'm sor-" He shoves the glass into my abdomen, his face streaked with tears.

"You killed Lucy you fucking piece of shit. You killed her." He punches me again. I can barely breathe.

He's hitting me. Over and over and over. It's never been this bad. I don't know if I can make it out alive, this time.

I can't breathe. I'm choking on blood and tears and I can't make a sound.

I think it finally kicks in because he stops hitting me. Maybe he sees the blood. I can feel it pooling out of me.

"Shit Simon- fuck oh god." He stands up and stumbles over to the phone. I hope to god he's calling an ambulance. I don't want to die today.

"Please come. My son- was attacked by a robber. Please. He was stabbed in the stomach. There's blood everywhere." He gives the operator our address then hangs up. He walks back over to me and cups my wound in his hand. I can't feel anything.

"Simon. My rosebud boy. Simon please- I'm so sorry."

My vision is blackening. All I can hear as I lose consciousness is him crying.

My rosebud boy.