Being Strong (the sequel to Stay Strong)

Chapter 2

I left my little, peaceful catacomb and was overwhelmed. My anxiety was kicking in and I had just left my room. The boys were running around being loud; my dad and stepmom were being frantic, and I just wanted to not be alive. I pulled out my Samsung Galaxy 3 and looked at the cracked screen. The lock screen lit up and I saw Johnnie's picture and it said stay strong. It was hard but I was trying to be strong.

"One unread message from Gabbykins," I whispered to myself. Then I slid my finger across the taped screen and typed in my password. Why is my password so obvious? I guess not many people know how to spell Johnnie's name right. So no matter how easy it is no one can get in. Pressing the message icon Gabby's message showed up: I had the weirdest dream!!!!

This is why I loved her! She and I were always in sync we always know how the other one is feeling. Somehow we can make each other smile with the most stupid text in the universe. I know I can tell her anything and without her I know I wouldn't be able to function properly. She and I are two pieces of glitter on Ashley Purdy's pants. We are Outlaws. We are Thug Pugs. We are sisters.

 I quickly messaged her back: me too but why the hell are you awake it's 5 there?

"Can you help me with the boys?" my dad asked.

I picked up Eli, "Of course!" I looked at my half-brother. He had small glasses that were supposed to help correct his lazy eye. Eli also wore a cute sweater vest paired with a pair of corduroy pants. A small red tie was tucked in the vest which brought out the blue in his eyes. When Eli was a baby he had pure, blonde hair and now it was darkening into a light brown. I can't believe he's in kindergarten already.

"Sam you are so pretty," Eli told me playing with my bangs.

"Thank you, Eli! You look dashing today," I replied. I felt my butt vibrate I guess Gabby responded instead of going back to bed. I kept walking and grabbed Eli's Star Wars backpack then took him to the car. Eli sat in his car seat politely and waited for me to buckle him.

He smiled at me, "Thanks, sissy!"

"No problem buddy."  

"Can you get Jasper too?" My dad yelled from inside the house.

I sighed and started heading back into the house and ran around looking for the brown hair, blue-eyed boy. "Jasp where are you?" I heard his giggle and I found him behind the couch with one shoe on and one white sock with a hole in it. "Get out here now. It's time to go bud."

"NO!"

"I don't have fucking time for this," I muttered under my breath. "DAD HE IS BEHIND THE COUCH AGAIN!!" I pulled out my phone and read Gabby's message: I can't sleep... tell me about your dream. Then I went on and on about the dream about Johnnie I had. My dad walked in and grabbed Jasper from behind the couch.

"WHEN YOUR SISTER TELLS YOU TO FUCKING DO SOMETHING YOU FUCKING DO IT!!!!" He grabbed Jasp's arm while yelling at him.

Jasper started crying and that was it, "Dad calm down."

"Don't tell me what to do!" then I got my arm grabbed.

I winced, "Daddy you're hurting me."

He shook his head and let go of both Jasper and my arm. "It's time to go guys."

I looked up at my dad who was balding and had the same blue eyes as Jasper and Eli. "You need to control yourself," I sneered at my dad and picked up Jasp and took him to the car. I buckled him in and then went to the driver's side of the car and waited for my dad. He came out and sat shotgun and I took off. I dropped off the boys at school and drove up to the high school in silence.

"Sam I'm sorry..."

"Drop it, dad."

"But..." he tried to grab my arm.

"I'm going to be late." I got out of the car and headed to the doors of the school. I turned on Perfect Me and I listened to the words. I felt connected to him. Why did he have to feel the way I did? For him, I'm being strong.