Reversing Roles

Chapter 18

Another two months flew by, and slowly but gradually, our favourite, beloved power couple, Grayson and Alyssa, began spending less and less time with each other. By the end of two months, the pair hardly saw each other walking the halls of East High, anymore. They had gone on such different routes, like Alyssa had started studying every night, and Joey became her new tutor. The pair geeked-out together, reading book series after book series. Alyssa had quit smoking all together. Nowadays, seeing her at a party was highly unusual, and she hadn't spoken to Jade Rivers, her toxic ex-best friend, for over eight weeks. Alyssa was thriving in every class she took, but stayed modest. Her and Joey had formed such a strong, close friendship.

Meanwhile, Grayson had chosen a completely different path to walk along. He'd gone off the rails. He was hardly ever spotted in class, his grades had dropped so much, that he'd been transferred to every bottom class, to accompany Jade. He had disposed of his 'dorky' glasses long ago, changing over to contacts instead. He had been suspended from school twice, in two months. The first reason was because he was caught smoking on school grounds, and the second reason was because he had set alight to a wooden table in the Science lab. He even had a police record. He and Jade had now been handed the title of the most rebellious kids at school, and most wild party-animals. Grayson's popularity had sky-rocketed, while Alyssa's had dropped beneath the social radar.

It was almost as if they were......
Reversing Roles.

But, somehow, throughout all the chaos of Grayson's quickly spiralling life, and Alyssa's quickly brightening future, the couple had managed to stay, well, a couple. They were rarely seen together, so mostly everyone had assumed they'd broken it off, but they still knew the spark was there. Their hearts burned with passion at the mention of each other's names. Electricity whizzed through their unspoken, glinting glances and sneaky winks. Even if they didn't show it, they still cared very deeply for one another.

~~~

The cold, brutal months of dark winter swallowed up Alyssa's town. She plodded down the dirty cement footpath, staring longingly as her house swam into view, hoping every heater was turned up to their highest, and that the smoky, warm fireplace was lit. Ever since she could remember, every time winter ruthlessly looped around again, Alyssa and her mother would take a drive to the nearest woodland or forest to collect an endless supply of pinecones, to bring back and chuck into the fire. All winter long, the house would smell fresh and comforting and cheerful. When she was little, and her dad was still around, the three of them would all snuggle on their plush couch, wrapped in fluffy blankets, and watch movies until way passed her bedtime, with fake Ugg boots keeping their toes toasty, and accompanied by a steaming cup of hot chocolate each. That was the highlight of her precious childhood.

Alyssa stepped onto the shaky porch, ignoring Robert's filthy Mustang, and milliseconds before she jammed her key into the keyhole, shrinking and yelling could be heard, echoing faintly from inside the house. Violent chills raced down her spine, rattling her core. Cold sweat beaded her forehead and palms. She panicked, and quickly shot out from behind the closed door and under he closest window. She slowly peeked her head up to peer inside, resting her nose against the frozen glass, and her warm breath fogging up a small section.

"You're a fucking bitch, you know that, Carol?!" Robert rudely exclaimed.

"Robert, please-"

"Shut your goddamn mouth, you useless piece of shit!" Alyssa silently gasped. Then, her stupid stepfather lifted his hand high, and smacked her face. Her mother helplessly dropped to the floor, cradling her stinging cheek. Tears pricked at Alyssa's eyes. She wanted nothing more than to charge in there and whip his ass, rescue her mum, and run far away from him, forever. But, she knew that if she did that, it definitely wouldn't be the end of Robert's fearful reign of terror. Suddenly, a genius idea sparked inside her mind. Alyssa hurriedly whipped out her iPhone, not thinking twice, and pressed it up to the window, and began sneakily filming the scene laid out before her.

"Get your fucking lazy ass up, woman!" demanded Robert, forcefully lifting her off the ground. Total and utter fear and dread flooded her mother's sad eyes, as he sneered down into them. A sly, dangerous smirk painted itself across his lips, and then he literally threw her, like she was a weightless rag doll, across the living-room floor. She landed painfully on her side, letting out a shrill wail. Alyssa sniffled and whimpered, tears streaming down her face. No, no, no, she kept chanting in her head. She shakily held the phone. Robert treaded over to Carol, huffed, then kicked her ribs. Her mother speedily recoiled, salty tears of her own spilling from her eyes.

"Oh, shut it. You'll live. Now, get my dinner ready, lady." He shrugged her off, all the steam which previously blew furiously from his ears, disappearing. She stared at him frightfully, as he carelessly stepped over her and made his way up the stairs. Alyssa quickly paused the video, and jumped up. She sprung off the porch, landing uneasily on the over-grown grass. Then, she bolted. She bolted down the driveway, passed Robert's car. She bolted down the street, the icy wind slicing through her raven hair. She protectively and tightly clutched her phone as she ran, never looking back. Her heart drummed in her ears. The police were going to see this video and take him away. Her mean, old, nasty stepdad would never bother them again. They wouldn't have to live their life in fear. She wouldn't have to double-lock her bedroom door at night. She would no longer have ugly scars and purple bruises covering her body. She wouldn't have nightmares every night. She could finally feel safe and secure in the comfort of her own home. Hold on a little longer, Mum, she thought. He'll be out soon.