Being Nice Is For Losers (DISCONTINUED)

_-*8*-_

I laid in my bed, staring up at the white ceiling. Exactly two years ago it happened, and I've yet to get over it. Is that pitiful? Does that make me weak?

Best not to ponder I guess... I rolled off my bed and turned my radio on, switching it to my favorite station before sitting back down on my bed.

The guy over the radio began to speak of a concert coming to the area. Mayday Parade as the headliner. I would ask to go but there's no way dad would take me.

He would take Nathan.

Of course, he would.. "-so here's Terrible Things by Mayday Parade," the speaker guy said. As the song played I turned my head to face the speaker and listened.

My bottom lip began to quiver and I felt tears flood my eyes. No.. I won't cry. I can't cry anymore. I'm not weak...

I am weak. I cried. Twenty-six tears fell from my eyes. Last time it was thirty. I'm not supposed to cry anymore but this song... Mom... Dad...

"I miss you so much.." I whimpered. I wiped my cheeks with the sleeves of my shirt, sniffling as I tried to calm down.

"Turn that shit down!" My father shouted as he threw my door open.

"I-I'm sorry.."

"Why are you crying?" he asked. It sounded more like an insult than worry. Dad's gotten really mean lately. Nate says everything's okay but I don't believe him.

"The song.." I mumbled.

"Then maybe you shouldn't listen to stupid, gothic bullshit," he said and walked over before hitting the power button with too much force. I flinched at the sound as if it hurt me too.

He walked out without another word and I curled into a ball, hugging my knees to my chest.

An eternity seemed to pass in a flash before I found myself wiping my cheeks again. I stood and walked out of my room. Lucas and Riley were sitting on the couch. Had they been here all along?

"Maxi!" Riley ran over and wrapped me in a tight hug.

"Riles!" I grinned happily and hugged her back. I felt another set of arms wrap around us and I smiled brighter.

"Lukey!" Riley and I said in unison and he laughed before we pulled away.

Again the next events continued as if I was in a daze. I couldn't even remember what happened. All I knew is that the three of us ended up spying on my brother and dad.

I heard the familiar lyrics of Terrible Things by Mayday Parade. Dad was showing Nate the song he had called stupid, gothic bullcrap, well he didn't say it the nice way.

"It'll be okay Son, I've got you," Dad said. His arm was wrapped around my brother, comforting him as he clutched his shirt and cried.

My lip began to quiver once more as I watched them. Jealousy and hurt hit me like a bullet. Then Riley and Lucas hugged me from either side. "It'll be okay Maxi," Lucas said. How did they know? Did I tell them?

"Yeah, you've always got us. We'll be best friends forever. I promise."

I shot up as my alarm screamed in my ear. I fumbled with my phone to turn it off before rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Then everything hit me, hard.

That dream... Mom... Riley... Dad... Luke... Nate... I was only eight. I let my head fall into my hands. No tears, just pain. Horrible pain.

"Yeah, you've always got us. We'll be best friends forever. I promise."