Last One Standing (wattys2017) (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Alex, Are You Doing Okay?

My father stared at me for over ten minutes before he finally set the rag on the back of his futon and bowed his head a fraction, awaiting the blows he knew would be thrown his way.

"I don't think now is a good time-"

"Never is a good time for you, Dad." I dropped my hands to my sides with a glare.

"Alexis-"

"What right do you think you have hurting Eliott?" I cut him off, "It's one thing to ruin my life, but you can't go and ruin theirs too. They deserve the world, not being beaten by their father."

I saw anger beginning to ignite a fire in my dad's eyes, "I did not beat Eliott. He threw the first punch."

"So you thought it was okay to hit him back?" I shook my head in disgust. The room stayed silent for a while before I finally spoke back up.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I finally broke through the tense air, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't know what you-" he began, eyes lingering on the bloody rag his hand rested on.

"That's a bunch of crap, Dad! You know exactly what I'm talking about." I did my best to keep myself from breaking, but the feeling kept pushing up my chest and begging to be let out.

"What was I supposed to say, Alexis? That your mother didn't want you? That she was the reason my entire life went to shit?" He slammed his fist into the futon so hard it moved forward a few inches.

"Ruined your life? You're seriously going to play victim, Dad? She was a seventeen year old girl who had to give up her ki-"

"I'm a registered sex offender because of her crazy ass parents. I lost my wife because. . . because. . ." he trailed off, cursing under his breath when he saw my expression.

"You lost your wife because you cheated on her, Dad." I whispered, "It takes two to make a child."

"She was selfish." he shut his eyes.

"Melissa or my mother?" I gripped the corner of my father's desk to keep my knees from buckling.

"Your mother threw you into my life with no consideration on how it might affect it. She didn't care about you or me, Alexis. She cared about herself." he made a sudden move in my direction, forcing me back against the door.

"Are you sure she's the only selfish one, Dad?" I laughed hysterically, "Because I sure as hell know I'm selfish. God forbid you be told that you are too."

"Excuse me?" Dad grimaced at the insult.

"You know what's sick, Dad? Sicker than you and my mother and all this bullshit that's going on in my life right now?" I paused, "The way I feel about Lucas and the life that's waiting for him in New York."

When he realized I wasn't done, he slowed to a stop in the middle of the room.

"Every time he mentions Kat or his daughter, I think to myself 'You know, he was mine first and you don't deserve him. You left him two years ago without an explanation, you can't take him away from me now.' Do you know how sick I feel every time the thought passes through my mind. When I can't think about his feelings, but only my own? He needs me as much as I need him right now and I'm being selfish sitting here and pretending that I'm the only one that's hurting." I collapsed against the door, pushing my hair out of my eyes.

"Alexis, it's normal for us to be selfish once and a while. It's human nature." Dad outstretched his hand, a clear peace offering. I refused to reach out and take it.