Martinez Twins Fanfiction

Chapter 2

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Once detention (for being late) ends, I rush out the door and go to the tree where I left my bike.

You have got to be kidding me.

It's not there.

I bang my fist against the tree in frustration. UGH. I should've tied it up.

The temperature warmed up a little bit since this morning, but it's not enough to melt the snow that still covers the ground. What a great day to forget my coat.

As I start my long walk back home, I think about which song I'm going to sing for the Team 10 audition. Ariana Grande? Rihanna? I'm not a big fan of pop songs, so I wonder if I should sing a country song. Besides, Tessa always listens to country music in the car in her vlogs.

I turn the corner and see my house coming up. I haven't even made it to the driveway yet and I can already smell alcohol.

When I was younger, my dad never touched anything that contained alcohol. Then, my mom ended up in the hospital one night and my father found that a good time to start drinking. Once she passed away, he never stopped. I don't think I've ever seen him sober after that night.

By the time I make it up the front steps, my nose is stinging from the stench.

I hold my breath and sprint as fast as I can into the house and up the stairs to my room. I grab my camera and a coat and sprint back down.

I make my way out to the backyard. I keep walking until I reach the rungs of a treehouse ladder. I climb up into my safe haven.

My mom built my treehouse for me when I was 3, and it's pretty much all I have left of her. Plus, it's the only place on our property where the smell of alcohol doesn't reach.

It's a small treehouse, but it is perfect for me. I worked at the general store in town two summers ago and saved enough money to make a more comfortable sitting area. I have a small fuzzy rug, a bean bag, a crate filled with books, two lanterns, a Spongebob blanket, and a tiny desk that is meant for toddlers. I couldn't fit a real desk in here, so I just sit on my bean bag and do my homework on the toddler desk, since it's close to the floor.

I push my backpack to the side and set my camera on top of the desk. I press record and begin talking.

"Hi, Team 10. My name is Laina Jones. I'm going to sing Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood."

I close my eyes and think of my mother. It relaxes me, and I begin to sing.