Finding My Family **ON HOLD**

Ch 17, Part 1: A Glimpse Inside

Nathan POV

"When the fuck is dinner going to be ready?"

"Just five minutes" I shout back into the living room where my father is drinking another beer. I made lasagna and it's been cooling off before I cut it and plate it. I would have started earlier, but I had to run to the grocery store for some extra supplies. I didn't know my dad would be staying this long and I wasn't prepared for dinner. I usually just pop something frozen into the microwave, but ever since my mom left it's like I'm his new wife. I cook, clean, take care of the kids...aka myself...ever since I was a kid and my mother left.

Why did she leave? More importantly why did she leave me behind? Did she not want me? Did she not want to be a mother? It had to be that. If it was only that she couldn't handle the abuse from my father she would have taken me with her. If she loved me enough to prevent him from hurting me she wouldn't have left me here. But she did.

My dad has finally calmed down from this morning. He's always worse with a hangover. It's like he's taking his pain out on me. Kota stopped by to check in and told me Sang was worried about me. She wants to do something about my dad, but what can we do? I don't want her involved, my dad can be dangerous and I don't want Sang's parents involved it might ruin my chances of joining the Academy. I need to join so I can get out of this hell hole. It's my only chance.

LUKE POV

Mmmmm these cookies smell great. They're just about ready to take out and start cooling. I wonder if North will want some....nah he wouldn't eat sugar. I take a look out the kitchen window and notice Silas is here. He might want some cookies. I'll take a few out to North's trailer once they cool. Then someone will appreciate my baking skills!

After waiting for the cookies to cool and stacking them on a plate I walk out to the trailer. I can hear North's gravely voice, "Did you kiss her?"

Oooh gossip! I sneak closer quietly, not wanting them to stop their conversation. North never talks about girls with me. I'm sure if I showed up him and his best bud Silas would stop their conversation all together and then I won't get all the juicy Sang details. Like are her lips soft? Does she taste like chocolate?

"No. It's against the rules." Silas replies.

"Yeah, but I thought we decided to fuck the rules and kiss her."

Well no one told me...

"I would've, but I fucked up. I doubt she wanted me too after what I told the football guys." Silas sounds frustrated and angry at himself. He's beating himself up over something he said to the football team. Was it about Sang?

"Fuck. She found out?"

Found out what? I want to ask, but don't because that would give away the fact that I'm snooping.

"Yeah and now I have to fix it so none of the others feel left out when people start calling her my girlfriend at school. And someone stole my wallet."

"What?" North asks. "I thought you bought dinner and that smelly soap Sang wanted? When did your wallet get stolen?"

"After that. I had it that entire time, but when I got home I noticed it wasn't in my pocket."

"Fuck. And you sure you didn't leave it somewhere?"

"It's possible, but there was this one moment Sang and I got jostled by some kids running through the marketplace. One of them bump into me. I think that's when it happened. It was right before we headed back to my car."

I stay quiet listening to them chat. My legs are getting cramped, but I don't want to get up and miss something. I want them to keep talking about Sang. Who cares if Silas lost his wallet!