Boring Romance

Chapter 2: Welcome Home

I pulled into the gravel driveway. The neighbor's dogs were barking at my appearance. As I stepped outside a gust of wind sent chills down my spine. The blood from the fight had dried on my skin and I knew I had to explain myself. I didn't want to go inside, so I decided to smoke another cigarette. The taste isn't as good as marijuana, but it does make me feel a little light headed, which is nice.

The cigarette was about finished so I threw it on the ground and walked to my front door. I took a deep breathe then opened it slowly. The smell from inside was overwhelming. Nothing but beer, trash, and body odor. Once inside I could hear chattering coming from the kitchen. I knew that it was my step dad, Eric and his whore, Trina. He and my mom actually got married a year ago. Eric is an alcoholic who basically lives off my mom's welfare. Trina is a drug addicted whore who has sex for money. Eric is kind of her main squeeze, if that makes any since.

I don't know why my mom wants to be with him. She knows that he has sex with other woman and constantly brings them to the house when she's not here. How can anyone be with someone like that? I just wish she'd end it with him and move on to someone better. Someone who can actually provide for her. What a load of bullshit.

I was stuck in the living room thinking about what I should do. I decided to just walk downstairs and go to my room. I made my way into the kitchen and as soon as Eric heard me coming he said, "Where the hell have you been, boy?" So fucking annoying. I stepped in the kitchen and he looked up at me from the table then said, "You smell like weed and cigarettes" Does he even notice how I look. 

"Aww baby look at him he's covered in blood" said Trina. Her hair was short, really thin, and a dirty blonde color. She smiled at me and it showed off her yellow teeth. I think one was missing, but I'm not sure. 

"You get in a fight or somethin'?" asked Eric. He's a genius.

"Yeah" I said then started to walk past them to the basement door.

"Now hold on" he grabbed me by the shoulder and pulled me toward him. He reeked of beer and sweat. I wanted to vomit. "You been fightin'. Did you get yo ass kicked like a little chump or what?"

"It doesn't matter" I shrugged his arm off my shoulder and headed down stairs. 

As I walked down the steps I heard him say, "Yeah you got your ass kicked. Hahaha!"

Then Trina said," Don't laugh at him it ain't his fault he's a pussy" 

I made it into my bedroom and finally had a moment of peace and tranquility. It would be a couple hours before my mom got home from her job as a teleoperator. I didn't want her to see me like this. It would just upset her, but my left eye was swollen and there's no way I could hide it. I'd have to deal with it when the time came.

Before I went back upstairs to take a shower I wanted to play a few chords on my guitar. I'm not very good, but I still enjoy the sounds that it makes. I thought about Kimberly for a minute. Wondering what today was all about and if she hated me for fighting her boyfriend. Not that it matters. I never really knew her until today. I just thought that maybe I could have gotten a new friend, since clearly she doesn't want to date me. She's already dating that Corey guy, I feel bad for hurting him too. He came out a lot worse than I did, but he did kind of start it. Well I did call him a pussy. Whatever none of it matters. I'm not even going to try to talk to them.

I set my guitar down then grabbed a towel for my shower. I keep everything I need in my room because I don't want Eric or Trina to fuck with it some how. I really hate going upstairs and dealing with them, but whatever I have to. 

I walked up the stairs as slowly and quietly as possible. I stood at the top of the staircase and listened carefully, It sounded like they were on the back porch, so I quickly opened the door and went straight to the bathroom. Once inside I locked the door and took off my clothes. Our shower doesn't have heat so I have to take cold showers, but its alright I'm used to it. The freezing water ran down my face and then my body. I rubbed my hands together to remove the blood that hardened against my skin. It came right off after that. I might have a scar or two on my knuckles from the punches. I used soap to wash my whole body then rinsed it all off, I finished cleaning myself in maybe five minutes, but I like to stay in longer anyways. Its refreshing