Monochrome beat (boyxboy)✔

Beat 10

Orlando's POV

The worst thing about having one leg was that people suddenly thought you were stupid too. They treated you like you were incapable of doing simple tasks like cut vegetables. Normally I would have been happy not having to do something like that and wouldn't have volunteered, but I needed something to do or I was going to lose my mind.

"Go sit in the living room. Dinner will be ready soon", mom said dismissively the moment I asked if she needed any help.

She was simultaneously peeling potatoes while tending to the pot on the stove. It had nearly boiled over.

"I don't mind peeling the potatoes", I said pointing to her half-done potatoes on the kitchen counter.

"Orlando, you know you shouldn't be doing any strenuous work. Go sit!" she said and opened the fuming pot on the stove, causing her to drop the lid.

"Strenuous work? How is peeling potatoes strenuous?" I said with a frown.

"Where is your other crutch?" she asked, stopping all movements. You'd swear I was bleeding from a giant hole in my head.

"Somewhere in the house", I said shrugging. "Can you explain to me how peeling potatoes is strenuous?"

"Go get your crutch before I beat the hell out of you! In fact, sit", she said. "McKenzie, go look for your brother's crutch!" she yelled.

McKenzie appeared at the kitchen entrance. "He left it in the living area. Why am I looking for it?"

"Bring it here and stop asking questions! God, you could have just brought it with you", mom said and walked in the direction of the living area. It was clear she was going to get it herself.

Kenzie looked at me. I shrugged.

Mom came back and handed me my crutch. "Now go sit. Kenzie will peel the potatoes".

"But mom..." Kenzie said with a pout.

"McKenzie, the potatoes aren't going to peel themselves".

I walked away from the ensuing argument. Mom would win. She always won. It didn't matter if she was going against her own daughter, her husband or a judge; she found a way to win.

I hopped over to the living area and took a seat on the couch. My leg was sore. I couldn't massage it to make it better. I couldn't do anything. I needed something to drown out the pain, but there was nothing.

Music was all it took to make me feel better, loud music that blared in my ears. It made me numb to my surroundings and the pain that had no origin.

I couldn't listen to music though. I didn't have my iPod and mom would scream the house down if I brought my laptop with me to the living area. You would swear it was possessed by some evil spirit.

I put my hand on my thigh and massaged even though I knew that wouldn't make it better.

Jax's POV

For once since I set foot in Rittertown, I slept peacefully. I had Orlando's iPod nestled in my hand and my earpods safely in my ears. It was late afternoon. I was playing one of Orlando's playlists. I got lost in the songs and felt sleep creep in. It was wonderful. I let go and curled up on the bed in fetal position and dozed off.

I didn't dream, or if I did, I didn't remember. Just that alone was pure bliss. For once in a while my sleep wasn't tainted by anxieties or nightmares about my little sister. There was just nothing with the sound of birds or beats in the distant background. It felt peaceful.