Just Give Up

Chater Two: She's A Handsome Woman

Chapter Two: She's A Handsome Woman

It took a few more days than I'd first anticipated for me to get back to normal. I was right about needing some sort of tube, but luckily it wasn't for peeing, it was a straw for eating; my nose was so fucked up that every time I bit down it felt like it was being pounded on all over again. My face was masked with yellow and purple bruises, and my mouth was left in a permanent smirk for the past week due to the uneven swelling of my lips.

For a few days my ribs were giving me shit. They would sting like a bitch every time I took a deep breath or even breathed out too much.

I had to wait a good five days before Cole let me get out of bed without him staring at my rib cage, and then it took me another two days to get back into my routine. By the time I was recovered enough to go back to school, it was a Friday and I'd already slept in till two in the afternoon like the lazy arse I am, so there was no real point to going back just yet.

Instead I changed into my work shirt and a pair of baggy jeans, careful not to stretch my arms behind my head or put too much pressure on my ribs. I looked in the bathroom mirror and sighed at the boy staring back at me.

The once happy features were now drained of emotion and tired. I remember a time when my eyes were lively and excitable. Now they just show the regret and sadness I constantly push to the back of my mind.

They've been like that for the last three years.

I shook away the memory. Rubbing my rough hands against my bruised face, I left the bathroom and headed down stairs. Passing the pictures hung up on the wall following the stairs I looked towards the floor to prevent a glimpse of her face and strolled into the kitchen. Colton was sat in his usual seat nursing a cold beer bottle in his hands while leaning against the rest of the chair with his eyes closed.

Quietly I shuffled over to his side and prised the bottle out of his hands, taking a sip. Sighing as the liquid slid down my throat. I saw Colton's eyes cracked open to look up at me before he shook his head. Tilting the bottle towards him I mumbled a 'good morning' before taking another sip.

"Hey, you're not even eighteen yet mate. No drinking." His stern voice was well practiced but I could hear his chuckle as he tugged the beer from my hands.

I let the beer fall from my hand before taking a seat beside my brother, situating my body to face his.

"I do seem to remember a certain fifteen year old lad coming home one night completely bladdered..." Cole chuckled at what I'd said and groaned while he placed his head in his hands.

"Oh god, please don't use my past against me. That's just cruel." We both chuckled together at the memories of foetus Cole, until he looked up at my grin and his lips warped into a sad smile.

He pointed at me while stating "you should smile more, brother."

I was silent for a moment, taking in his facial expression. After a minute I mimicked his pose and retorted with "you sound like a girl, brother."

He rolled his eyes and leant back in his chair pushing the beer towards me, which I gladly accepted before downing the last of it. Nodding towards my brother I occupied myself with searching my pockets for gum.

"I'm serious Bren, you have mums smile," He sighed "It's just nice to see it again."

I felt a stabbing pain in my chest and closed my eyes for a second.

"Thanks for the beer." I mumbled, quickly standing from my chair and leaving the house. Before I could close the front door I heard Colton call my name but I ignored him and headed down the street towards the corner shop.