Below Average

Chapter 1

Toni's Pov.

"Toni! Where's my dinner?" My mom yells up the stairs.

She just got home and that's all she says. Seriously? No, 'Hi Toni, did you make dinner yet?' but no, of course not. I just get a 'Toni! Where's my dinner?' The day my mom will be nice to me again, is the day I'm dead and it's too late. 

Instead of answering my mom, I peek into my little brother's room to see him sound asleep. Good, he's asleep before my mom can do anything.

Scooping him - my little brother Reed - into my arms, I check the hallway to make sure it's clear. Once I see that it is completely clear, I rush into my room. My room, it's the room that I basically lock myself in after school unless I have to get out. Where would I be without it? 

I set Reed down on my bed before locking the door and then walking over to get a head start on my homework. I'm already three weeks ahead of the game, but with work and taking care of my brother, I don't have much time to work on it. 

I put the pencil that I took from the public library down on my desk. Pulling off my glasses I walk over to the bed, laying down on it next to Reed. 

Reed. My loving, outgoing little brother. It's hard keeping him away from society. I don't want him dragged into this mess for not being like everyone else. He's too young for that, hell, he'll always be too young for that to me. 

"Ton?" Fuck, I was lost thinking again.

"What's up, Trooper?" I say using the nickname I gave him. 

"I don't want to live with you hiding me from Mumma anymore." My chest aches for him. Of course, I don't either. I just have to save up enough money until I can move out with him to keep him safe.

"Reed, I don't want to either, but you have to stay strong, okay? I have to stay here and do my duties, so I can get deported to a new place." Don't ask me why, but Reed loves army type of stuff, I guess I do too, so we're always talking in our own way to each other. 

"Sir, yes sir!" He says saluting. 

"Go to sleep, sergeant Red." I say right before we both yawn at the same time, making him giggle halfway. 

~

"Alright, my little Trooper, it's time to go inside and have fun with Sister Karen! I'm working an extra shift today, so I won't be able to pick you up tonight. Sorry, Bud." I say while crouching down to his height. I then ruffle his hair, kiss his forehead, and leave. 

On my way to school I notice an accident on the opposite side of the road. Two words, drunk driving. It happens all the time around my area. Arcadia is honestly a beautiful place, but not the people. We're always having criminals, drug addicts, you name them all. 

~

I'm walking the halls of my school when all of a sudden I bump into someone. 

"Fuck, watch where you're going."

"You should really watch where you're walking." The person and I say at the same time. If you're wondering who said what, I said the first one. 

I look up to see the one and only school jock of the school, Adrian Montes. 

Sure, he's an okay athlete, but his personality is terrible. 

Scowling at him I mumble a few curse words before I try to walk away. 

Being the asshole he is, he blocks my way. 

I move to the right, so does he. I move to the left, so does he.