The Eighteenth Birthday

Chapter Two

I got off the bus and the first person to greet me was the person that cared about me most. Piper Franklin, my amazing girlfriend. Most of my friends on the soccer team have girlfriends too, but unlike them, I don’t treat mine like shit. I mean really, they act as if its an honor for their girlfriends to even be seen with them, let alone be dating them. Speaking of shitty boyfriends, Piper has been dealing with her ex lately. He used to be my best friend, you know, until he dumped Piper for my sister. Then, it was as if he had always hated me. I’d rather not talk about it.

“So Ryder called me again last night.” Wow. Great conversation starter.

“Do I have to murder him? ‘Cause at this point he’s really on my nerves.”

“No! Don’t you dare!”

“Well why not?”

“Because I don’t want you to go to prison!”

“What’s wrong with prison?” I ask a little annoyed. She knew how much I looked up to my dad. He just slipped up one time and was sent away. I overlooked that because, well, it’s no big deal. It was something small, and who cares anyway? I still love him, he’s my dad. And Piper knew this.

“I just...don’t think I can deal with not being able to see you.”

“Fine. I won’t kill him. But he better back off, or he’ll get whatever comes to him.”

“Cole...”

“I promise.” That got me an eye roll, but it was the perfect opportunity to steal a kiss. I guess I win after all.

The next thing I know, I’m making out with Piper behind a bush by the stairs. As always, the bell interrupts. Stupid school.

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I head home after the final bell. My head hurts like hell. It’s awful! Am I supposed to get my period or something? Because as I recall, that’s a symptom, but only girls have periods. I’m a guy. This is not normal. So I ditched my girlfriend just this once to go home and turn in early. Way early. But who cares? I’m exhausted too.

As soon as I walked in the door, guess who was waiting for me? That’s right, the guy I most despise. My step-dad, Will. Why do I hate him so much, you might ask? He isn’t my dad, no matter how much he tries to be. My mom pretends as if he’s always been here. That he’s my real father. It disgusts me.

“Hey sport, how was school today?” Will asked.

“Why do you care?” I said bitterly.

“Look, Cole, I know you aren’t fond of me. But-”

“It’s not that I’m not fond of you, it’s that I hate you.” I spat.

“Well, Cole, I advise you not to talk to me like that. I am your parent and-”

“No! You aren’t my dad! You’ll never be my freaking dad! So stop trying so hard! I hate you! You ruined my life! You’re the reason my dad isn’t here anymore!”

“Cole...that’s not true. You know that your father wasn’t a good parent. He let your brothers beat you....”

“That’s not true at all! He stopped them! He didn’t know! He was outside mowing the lawn! Like Mom asked him to! He came in for a drink and saw what happened! I pushed the twins’ buttons! I pushed them over the edge! It was my fault!” I cried. Without even thinking about it I grabbed Will by the throat and pushed him against the wall. “You weren’t there! My father was a great parent! So don’t you ever talk about him that way.”

His face was losing color. He struggled, but I maintained my grip. This was until my mother walked in and pushed me off of Will. I hit her. All in all, they had bruises, and I was sent to my room. I had no idea what had come over me. What was worse, Cody stood in the doorway and saw me hitting our mother. He look horrified. I looked at him and he stumbled backward. Great, now my little brother is afraid of me. This day just keeps getting better and better.