Just you wait~ Lams AU

Chapter 14: Things Get Messy

John's POV

My breathing was shaky. It rattled through me as though I was trying to breathe under water. As my sharp intakes of air became more and more painful and I began to spin out of control, I felt a hesitant hand place itself lightly on my shoulder.

I was sat on the edge of my bed, knee bouncing impatiently. My crisp white shirt was scratchy against my skin. I raised my hand and lay it over Alex's upon my shoulder, exhaling deeply as I raised my eyes to meet his. He was stood in front of me, a small, sad smile playing at his lips. He sat down next to me and I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"John?" He said quietly, wrapping one arm around my shoulders.

"Yeah?"

"I know you don't want to, but it really might help if you just told me."

I sighed deeply. I wanted to, badly, but he didn't need this burden. I know he is an amazing human being, but there will always be that nagging doubt that he'll leave me once he knows everything.

"I'm sorry, Alex." I breathed and I felt him slump slightly.

"It's okay. Whenever you're ready." He smiled down at me.

We hugged for three straight minutes before we dragged ourselves out the door. I insisted that Alex went round to Herc's dorm because I didn't like the thought of him being alone.

The door swung open to reveal a shirtless Aaron Burr. His gaze grew cold when he looked at me with a sneer. Alex turned to me.

"Okay John. Call me if you need me, I'll be there with you no matter what." He reaches up and hugged me and I felt rage course through me when Burrs filthy fucking eyes roamed up and down Alex's small frame. The bastard even licked his fucking lips.

"Have a safe journey, John." Alex called, stepping away from me to go inside. Aaron caught him around the waist and kissed him full on the lips.

"Yeah, be safe, John. Wouldn't want to inconvenience some poor person who has to clean your brains off the road now would we?" Aaron laughed scornfully when they broke away.

I saw Alex frown.

"Aaron don't be a dick." He mumbled and winced. Aaron's grip on the other boys waist grew much tighter.

"I'll see you later Alex. I'm spending the night at yours, right?" I called as I walked away, laughing quietly when I saw Aaron scowl after me.

~•~

There was a thick silence coating the table. It was viscous and tense, scrutinising and belittling. My father was sat at the head of the table, with me opposite him. The two girls were sat down the left hand side and the boys were on the right. Everyone aside from my father was staring straight into their lap.

"Kai." My father apprehended and I saw the boy wince. "What have I told you about posture?"

Kai righted himself abruptly and we went back to staring at our plates.

"So John. How are you doing?" My fathers velvet voice cutting through the tension like an arrow.

"I-I'm good. I actuall-"

"Wonderful." He said loudly, cutting me off. We fell silent again.

There were nerves tangling with fear in my stomach, my appetite rapidly disappearing. I still had  half of my steak and all of my potatoes to eat but just looking at them made me queasy. If I ate anymore, I would be sick.

I saw Kai force down another mouthful, clearly full but too scared to say so.

"I should head back to campus." I muttered, standing up.

"You haven't finished." The cold edge to my fathers voice made everyone sit up straighter.

"I'm full. It was delicious."

"Damn right it was delicious you ungrateful brat. You better fucking finish that." The man said, voice clear and ringing with icy clarity. I saw Taylor wipe her eyes quickly.

"Father. It's Taylor's 18th birthday. Can't we be civil just this once."

Silence. Deathly.

There was a resounding crack as the wine glass in my fathers hand shattered. There were two large angry veins standing out on his neck like snakes. Micky and Kai shuffled closer to each other and Abbie just shut her eyes tight.

Taylor was blinking rapidly, trying to clear the tears that were forming as my father stood up and stared straight at me.

"How dare you talk to me like that." He growled.

I took a step back.

"I'm sorry, father." I whispered in vain.

"Everyone to your room. Taylor stay where you are." There was an evil glint to his cold eyes and Taylor whimpered involuntarily. There was a momentary scuffle as Kai ushered the two young children outside with him. The boy turned to shut the door, looking at me and Taylor in turn by way of apology.

Then it was just me, my father and my nonbiological sister. My father sat down, continuing to eat.

"So, Taylor. You know what happens when you disrespect me, right?" Taylor nodded rapidly. "John, you know what you said was disrespectful, right?" I nodded, glaring at the ground.

"Taylor, come here." The man said softly. He grabbed her arm when she was close enough, flesh breaking as she cried out in pain. She jerked her arm away, whimpering as three long scratch marks appeared on her forearm.

I saw her choke back a sob as she began to shake.

My father stood up and grabbed her by the hair, forcing her face on the table with a sharp crack. He pulled her back up to standing and wrapped an arm around her throat.

I was shaking by now, terrified for her.

I smacked my plate against the table with a sharp thud.

"Jesus Christ, don't hurt her or I swear on my life I'll-"

I went to stand up, but my father turned to me, eyes blazing. His fingers, still laced into Taylor's hair, were white knuckled and clenched against her scalp.

"You stay right where you fucking are, John. You will watch this, and you will know that it is all your fault." He hissed.

There was a sharp crack as he turned back to Taylor and slapped her round the face. She cried out and tried to pull away, only to have the fingers in her hair scrape along her skin.

I clenched my eyes shut.

"I'm sorry, dad! I'm sorry!" I whimpered out. The sounds of struggle stopped, Taylor's sobs small and pained.

I parted my fingers slightly, my vision blurred with tears.  Taylor was whimpering, her eyes scrunched tight. I cried out and slammed my fist into the table.

"Stop it! Stop!" I screamed, voice cracking painfully. My chair screeched along the floor as I stood up. Before he could even process what was happening, my fist was connecting with a sickening crack against my fathers jaw.

His palms smacked against the table as he stumbled away from the blow, releasing Taylor as he did so. He regained his composure, grunting as he forced himself up from the table, swinging his arm round and catching me in the side. Pain blossomed out from my ribs and I gasped for air.

The man wrapped an arm around my neck, pulling me back against him. He leaned down to my ear, growling to be heard above my sobs.

"You are no son of mine. You never were. Now run home faggot, I don't want to see your face ever again."

He released me with a laugh, my hip cracking against the table as I turn towards him.

"Did I stutter?" He growled lowly.

I furiously wiped the tears of disbelief from my eyes, backing away from my fathe-

Oh.

With a sob, I turned and ran.