Keep Your Enemies Closer

Give me a chance

"After we finished eating, I want you to tell him that you have to go." I heard Chandler whisper in my ear, before I settled down. I rolled my eyes and simply nodded. I actually thought he was being a gentleman when he pulled out a chair for me.

Tobias was right behind us with the steaming casserole. He smiled and put it on the table. I breathed in the scents and closed my eyes. I couldn't believe I was about to eat with Tobias Hawkes. My mom would be so jealous.

"Smells delicious." I said.
"I sure hope it is. You're not a bad of a cook, young lady. Don't let anyone tell you that." He smiled kindly and I nodded.

"She didn't actually cook it." Chandler's words made me stop smiling. He was acting like a dick and the fact that he wanted me to leave made me feel uneasy. His father was nice, so what's the problem? I wasn't this rude to him when he first ate with my family.

"Does anyone want to say a prayer?" Tobias successfully ignored his son's statement and was now looking at me expectantly.
"A prayer? What for?" Chandler scoffed and my confused gaze snapped to him.

"To thank god for giving us this food." I said in a duh tone and he glared at me.
"If this is god's food, I don't want it." He pushed his plate away from him and I flinched when I heard Tobias' flat hand slap the tabletop.

"What is it with you? Where are your manners, young man. I have tolerated your behaviour for way too long! This will end now. Stop acting like a little child and grow up!" He yelled at his son. Chandler looked enraged and was red in his face as he locked gazes with his dad.

The legs of his chair made a sickening noise as they scratched the tiles beneath them. He stood up and glanced at me.
"We're leaving, Allie. Get your stuff and meet me at the car." His tone held seriousness and no way was I going to disobey. I shot Tobias an apologetic look and stood up, before walking upstairs to get my things.

CHANDLER'S PoV:

"I'll stay at aunt Bella's house tonight. Call me when you leave." I said and turned around to leave. My father called out for me, but I just continued walking. This was the most disrespectful I've been talking to him in years.

But usually we don't even get to talk that much. When I got to my car and turned around, I felt slightly scared when I saw my father coming out of the front door and approached me. He wasn't drunk, so he wouldn't hurt me, but he was forever going to be my biggest fear.

"Son, I wanted to tell you this for so long. But you would never be there. And I didn't want to do it over the phone." He rushed out as he came to stand in front of me. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for him to continue.

"Last year, I went to this therapy that somebody recommended me. I haven't drunken any alcohol after that. I'm finally okay. I can fall asleep without drinking and I know this doesn't make up for anything. But just- please give me a chance to prove myself. Give me a chance to show you how much I love you." His eyes were hopeful as he stared at me.

I couldn't comprehend what he said, I needed to leave. I was too mad that Allie instantly liked him. And of course she didn't even know what he did to me all those years. I shook my head and watched his face fall in disappointment.

"Not now. Not yet. A year isn't good enough, father. What makes you so sure you won't start drinking again?" He gulped at my words.
"I know it is not much, but it's a start. I did this for you, because last time..." He didn't dare finishing this sentence and my eyes started to hurt.

"Because last time I stopped breathing?" I finished for him and he lowered his head in shame. Last time when he drunk and beat me up, I was dead for a while. I woke up in the hospital with several bruises and broken bones. I just turned seventeen.

"It's too late. You should've stopped drinking when it first happened." I said and looked away. We heard footsteps and looked towards the front door. I watched Allie walk up to us with a small frown between her eyebrows. She smiled at my father and I saw him smile back.

"I am so sorry for my son's behaviour, Allie. I hope next time we see each other, he knows how to behave." Dad stuck his hand out and she took it.
"I am sorry too. That casserole really looked good. Tell me how it tasted." She smiled politely and he chuckled.

"Hold on, dear. Don't go yet, I'll wrap you some of it up." He rushed inside and she finally looked at me. But she wasn't smiling or anything, she had a disappointed look on her face. I didn't know what to say, because I knew she had a right to be disappointed.

"Here, darling. Hope it's good." My dad came back outside and handed her that food wrapped in a tinfoil. She smiled kindly and they said their final good bye. I opened Allie's door for her and she got in without a word.

"Bye son. I love you." I heard him say when I closed the door to my car. I glanced at Allie beside me and she shook her head, before looking away from me. I sighed and started the engine. We soon were on the road and drove in silence. I kept glancing at Allie, because I wanted to talk to her.

I had to talk to her, I needed to. I needed to make it clear that I had my reasons for my behaviour. But I wasn't ready to tell her about that. I would only appear weak. Weak like all those years when he kept hitting me. I couldn't tell her about it. But I needed to hear her voice, even if she was mad.

We were having such a good day, until my dad appeared. He only brings chaos. I sighed and slowed down a little bit. I wanted more time with her. Half an hour and we still haven't talked to each other. Her street was almost coming up and I had to start making conversation now.

"You got your casserole." WHY THE FUCK WOULD I SAY THAT?!