Green Day Jr.

Chapter 3: Honesty

I watched as Mike nearly collapsed before regaining his balance and cupping his face with one hand.

"Mike are you okay?!" I said, jumping out of bed and running to him.

He groaned and held his eye, and I took his hand and led him downstairs, getting some ice for his eye. He held it to his eye as I went to find my dad.

The first place I tried was the basement, and I succeeded straight away. "Dad, what the fuck?!" I sat down with him and nudged him to get a response. "Dad!"

He turned to me and looked at me with watery eyes. "Why do you love Mike more than me?" I sighed and rolled my eyes. "What is it about him? How is he better than me?"

"Maybe because he actually listens to me, helps me with homework, gives me advice, takes me out to eat. Any of that stuff ring a bell? He's more of a dad to me than you will ever be!" I blinked and froze, realising what I just said.

Anger bubbled in Billie's eyes and I thought he was going to hit me, but instead he just put his head in his hands and started crying hard. "You're right."

I followed him as he stood up and went upstairs to the living room, standing there helplessly as he put his jacket and shoes on and left, slamming the door.

The house went quiet and I could hear my heartbeat.

I had just screamed at my dad.. Stuff I've wanted to tell him since I was about 5. The look in his eyes killed me.

I don't think he realises the effect him not being here has on me.

The fact that he's always here for Jake and not me.

I kinda think it's because Jake plays guitar and I play drums. He automatically sees me as a failure and Jake as the good child.

I went to the kitchen and sat with Mike, watching as he continued to hold ice to his eye.

"Your dad should get some money back on this house." He said into the silence. I looked at him confused, questioning him. "That 'soundproof' basement is not soundproof."

I sighed and rubbed my face. "So you heard it, then."

"Yes. I'm proud of you for telling him all that stuff. Maybe he'll sort himself out now. But then again, the way that you told him really upset him, Joe. It's gonna take a lot to fix."

I looked down at my hands and nodded. "That's if he even does want to fix it. I know I wouldn't want me for a son either."

Mike sighed as I stood up and went back upstairs to my room.