Living A Dream

Chapter 3

     I wake up with loud banging sounds going throughout the house. I look at the clock reading 7:13. Not having enough time to process what was going on, the pounding continued and I got out of bed. I then quickly walked down the stairs.

     I opened a drawer to pull out a switchblade I had stashed in the back for emergencies. I walked to the door with the blade in hand.

     The pounding coming from the outside had stopped. I paused for a second before opening the door. Letting the silence heighten my senses.

     I swiftly open the door and back up, getting in a stance that would benefit me if I had to throw any punches. Before I got the chance to even try to swing at the person, I felt their hand on my shoulder.

     They roughly shoved me back and into the wall, the force knocking the blade out of my hand. The figure stepped inside and closed the door behind them. They then balled up part of my shirt and threw me onto the floor.

     "Don't lock me out of my house ever again, bitch." came a voice that was all too familiar.

     I looked up at the man above me. I saw his scruffy facial hair and his brown eyes. It was my father. The man I haven't seen in a month. He has the audacity to yell at me for locking him out.

     "Where is your mother, I need to speak with her." he said sternly, looking around at the empty house.

     "Obviously still at work so she can get enough money to put some food on the table. What the fuck have you been doing?" I spat at him, starting to stand up.

     He wrapped a big and calloused hand around my neck and lifted me up off the ground. He backed us up so he could slam me into the wall that's behind me.

     "You do not get to talk to me like that. I've been going out and winning earnings to come back to this? Are you not appreciating what I do for this family? For you?" he said, tightening his grip on my neck.

     I was struggling against his force, trying to kick myself off the wall. I grab at his jacket he's wearing. I can only seem to get a hold on the fabric around his arms so I pull as hard as I can, ripping it in the process.

     He lets go of me quickly and I feel my feet on the ground again. I put my hand carefully around my throat, trying not to irritate it more. Gasping for air I double over and look at the blade on the ground. I pick it up and put it in my pocket.

     "This is a new jacket." he yelled at me. "And you're going to pay for a new one. Oh? What's that bitch? You don't have the money to do so? That's what I fucking thought, you no good piece of shit."

     He marched down the stairs to the basement. Trying to catch my breath, I put my arms over my head and I walk to the kitchen.

     I run the faucet with cold water and start splashing it on my face. This isn't the first time he's done something like this to me.

     This is almost tame for him. I can't wait until he gets alcohol in his system from the beers in the basement refrigerator.

     I turn off the faucet and head upstairs to my room again. I go over to sit on my bed when I see my phone screen light up. One new message from an unknown number.

     I unlock my phone and look to see what the person had to say. I look at the text reading:

#: Hey Tobin, it's me Alex. I was just texting u like I said I would to get information for practice tomorrow. That's if ur still ok with picking me up

     I was relieved to see it was Alex. That's definitely better than it being a random person from last night. Of course I was down to pick her up. I save her contact in my phone and respond.

Me: Hi, yes I'm still ok with picking u up. It starts @ 12 so I'll pick u up at around 11:30. Sound good?

     Anxious for her response, I get up and go over to my storm trooper. I disconnect it from the charger and walk back. Taking about 5 hits before she responds back, I turn to pick up my phone again.

Alex: ok, that sounds good. What should I bring

Me: Some water, but we'll have a huge thing of Gatorade. A ball, shin guards, cleats and ur beautiful self :)

     I looked at what I just sent to her. Really? "Your beautiful self". What was I thinking, am I an idiot? Great job Heath. I'll be expecting a "You know what, maybe I just won't go for the first one" any time now.

     I sigh and puff on my cig again, this time swallowing all of the vapor and blowing it out though my nose and my mouth. Simple trick but it's a classic.

     I hear my phone vibrate on my nightstand and it startles me a bit. Looking over for a rejection text, I unwilling unlock my phone.

Alex: A bit of a flirt are we? ;) I'll see u tomorrow at 11:30 Heath

Me: Only a bit? That's insulting Morgan.

Alex: Aww, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings :((( Goodnight Tobin ;)

Me: Night Alex.

     Checking the time now it reads 9:36. I don't want to sleep right now in fear of what my dad would have to say about it. I connect my phone to its charger again and continue doing a few vape tricks.

     After making rings and pretending to shoot out fireballs like Bowser, I start to feel the effects of the nicotine.

     I continue making rings and shooting through them with another ring consecutively until I miss. 23, new personal best.

     I put my vape next to my phone on my nightstand and take off what I was wearing, leaving myself in some boxers and a sports bra.

     What can I say? Boxers are hella comfortable. I put on a tank top and close my door. Not really paying attention, I stepped on my pants and felt something hard in the pocket.

     I bent down to take it out and study it. I looked at the metal and realized it was the blade from downstairs. I tuck it between my bed and the wall so it's out of sight but close if needed.

     I lay down and turn off my lamp that's on the nightstand. I set an alarm on my phone for 10:30, that should be enough time to get ready.

     I relax into my bed and look up at my ceiling. I feel the rush of the nicotine again and I start to drift off into sleep.

A/N:
I was never really thinking about having Alex's perspective in this, however I was possibly thinking of maybe a different book following the same plot, just from Alex's perspective. Idk, any thoughts?