Hard to Love You

Chapter 3

" Daniel! Dad! I'm home!" I screamed.

I dropped my bag on the floor and walked into the kitchen. I grabbed a carton of orange juice and poured it into a glass.

" I'm in my room!" I heard my dad slur.

I sighed and grabbed my book bag and walked upstairs.

I threw my bag into my bedroom then walked into my dads bedroom. He sat in the dark with his tv lighting the room. There were beer bottles strewn all over the floor and one in his hand.
His black hair, so much similar to mine, was messed up and he had a scruffy beard coming in. Unlike mine, his eyes were a dull brown. I guess my eyes are from my mom.

" Hey dad." I said with a forced smile.

" Hey Ash." he slurred.

He patted his bed and I came over and sat down. I gave him a sideways, awkward hug, ignoring the heavy stench of alcohol.

" How was school?" he asked.

" Good daddy. How was your day?" I asked.

" Boring. Your brothers been at work all day." he said.

He faced the tv, telling me that he was done with the conversation.

I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower before going into my room. I lied down and played my music out loud, looking through y phone bored. I had a couple text messages from some friends but ignored them. I looked through my contacts and saw that Tyler put his name as Tyler The Amazing.
I laughed but left it as is.

I heard soft tapping on my door and told them to come in.

My brother came in and he smiled at me tiredly. He plopped down in a chair and sat there for a minute.
He had brown eyes like my dad but black hair like me. I guess my mom must have had black hair too.

" How was school?" he asked.

" Same. How was work?"

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

" Busier than usual."

He worked at a mechanic shop everyday except Sundays, for as many hours as possible.

We sat in silence for a while and I looked at him worried.

" What's wrong?" I asked.

" When's the next time you work and get paid?" he asked.

" Tomorrow."

" I'm going to need around fifty dollars for the water bill." he said.

I sighed.

" Yeah. I got you. I wish dad would work." I mumbled and closed my eyes, listening to the soft hum of music coming from the radio.

" I wish he could too. Get his lazy ass up and do something."

We sat in silence for a couple minutes and I heard him get up. He kissed my forehead and I smiled.

" Love you sissy." he said.

I opened my eyes and he was at my doorway.

" Love you too." I said and he smiled before closing my door.

I groaned and thought about how I would have to go straight to work after school so I could get the money we needed.

I sighed and turned off the music and sat in the dark.

My phone went off and i looked at it.

Tyler: Hey detention buddy(:

I rolled my eyes and decided to reply.

Me: Why are you texting me?

He replied quickly and I laughed.

Tyler: Wanna talk silly. So you still doing chores?

Me: Yeah. Lots to do.

Tyler: Like...

Me: Sweeping. Vacuuming. Washing dishes. All that shit.

Tyler: Damn. Don't you have some siblings to help you?

Me: My brother just came back from work and tired.

Tyler: Want me to come and help.

Me: No. I'm good.

Tyler: It'll get done quicker..

Me: It's ok. I'll be done soon.

Tyler: Alright. Well I guess I'll ttyl. See you tomorrow. Goodnight.

Me: See ya.

My heart was pounding at the thought of somebody coming over to my house. I've never had a friend come over. Ever. I've always went to their house and when people asked why I didn't invite them I told them that my house was dirty or my dad had the flu or something.

I decided to get up and clean up a little bit. I haven't helped Daniel in a while anyways.

***

I took another quick shower and put on my favorite sweats with a sweater and walked back down to my bedroom.

" Thanks. I was gonna do it later." I heard Daniel say from his room.

" Welcome" I said and went into my room and closed the door.

It was around midnight and my dad was snoring away loudly in his room with the door open. Daniel and I didn't dare turn off his tv or take his alcohol away.

I checked my phone and saw I had a new message from two hours ago.

Tyler: Done?

Me: Just finished.

I turned the brightness down and lied down on my side. A couple minutes later my phone alerted me of a new text.

Tyler: I could have helped.

Me: I don't need help.

Tyler: Everybody needs help. Even Ashley.

I could practically see him smiling.

Me: Shut up.

Tyler: Make me.

Me: You are such a child.

Tyler: It's what makes you drawn to me.

Me: Asshole..

Tyler: Lls. But how about that ride tomorrow?

Me: Why you pressed?

Tyler: I just made a new bestie.

Me: Your weird. Yeah I need a ride. After school too.

Tyler: I embrace my weirdness. Sure. Why?

Me: Gotta go to work right after school.

Tyler: Oh. Ok.

Me: Yeah.

Tyler: Well I'll pick you up tomorrow. 6.

Me: School starts at 6:40...

Tyler: I know. We going to have breakfast.

Me: 6:30

Tyler: 6 or no ride(:

Me: I hate you.

Tyler: I hate you too sweetie. Be ready.

Me: Whatever.

Tyler: Goodnight.

Me: Duche.

Tyler: Haha.

I didn't respond and set my alarm for five o'clock.

I groaned and tossed my phone onto my side table. Fucking bastard got me waking up early.