Lost This Fight

Chapter 1: New Year, New Beginning

It's been ages since I went to school. The winter holidays were cold and gloomy. I couldn't wait to get back to school. It was New Year Eve. The neighborhood was filled with chatter and laughter.

My parents had a New Year's party and invited a thousand people over. OK, that's exaggerated, a thousand... I mean only a couple of people. The door swung open and close every second, letting the cold wind gush through. I went to the kitchen and took a glass of mango juice. I walked to the living room and landed on the couch. I let out a sigh. Just that moment, my best friend sat next to me.

"What's wrong?" Zoey asked.

"I'm just tired and there's school tomorrow."

"Oh c'mon, it's first day of school and we are going to meet new friends. Be more cheerful!"

The awkwardness grew between us. I sat there watching the crowd enjoy this party. The TV channel was switched to HBO. I stared up at the clock. It was 11:50 PM.

"10 more minutes 'til 12AM!" screamed my obnoxious brother.

"Ugh. Can I not?" I whispered into my brother's ear.

"You have to!"

"Fine." I shrugged out of the house and into the backyard.

The yard was crowded with people of all ages. My brother was still in the house inviting everyone out. The backyard felt like a pack of sardines in such a confined space. It was rather difficult to breathe so I moved away from the crowd. Zoey followed along. Then, someone familiar decided to join the party. Guess who? My crush, the cutest, hottest jock in my school. He had never came over to my house until unless my parents invited his.

"Hey," he said, biting his beautiful soft pink lips.

"Hi..." I struggled to put my words together.

"Can I join you?" With that, Zoey decided to leave me and Zach, my crush alone. She said she was going to get a glass of juice.

"Er.. sure."

I couldn't stop staring at Zach as he brushed his hands through his hair. His baby blue eyes shone in the dark. Just as I was going to say something, he took a step closer.

"Hey, you alright?"

"Yeah. I'm just exhausted."

"But you're coming to school tomorrow right?"

"Yeah."

Right after, my brother and my dad had lit some fireworks, which amazed the crowd. The wonderful colours spread out in the sky and in a distant, the moon shone.

After the major firework, I headed back into the house. Zach was still out there with his family and Zoey gave me a smirk.

"Hey, how'd it go?"

"I don't know."

"Is that the only phrase you know?"

I kept my mouth shut and Zoey knew I didn't want to talk about anything. She realised I was already tired. She let me go to my room so I could get a good rest before school tomorrow.

I ran up the creaking wooden steps which led me to my room. Passed the family photos and my brother's room. I paused. Moved back to my brother's room to see that someone was inside. It was my cousin! Luckily for me, he didn't notice I was there. He seemed to be looking for something. I was too tired to care so I silently walked to my room and slammed the door shut. The moment my head hit the pillow, I fell into deep sleep.

It was 2 am when there was a knock on my door. Mom entered to check on me. It was quiet downstairs and wondered maybe everyone have left. Mom sat next to my bed to see if I was awake. I turned around, facing her.

"Has everyone left?"

"Yes, sweetie. I didn't mean to wake you up."

"Oh, it's alright mom." I said as I yawned.

"Alright. Alright. Go back to sleep. See you in the morning!"

The owl outside hooted, the wolves howled as the moon shone. My heavy eyes closed off and I was back to my sleep.

~~~~

"Sweetie!" yelled mom.

I instantly sat up on my bed. With my eyes half-opened, I grabbed my phone from my bedside table. It was 7 am. School starts in an hour. I yawned while scrolling through my phone. I could hear mom and the clinking of pots and pans. As usual, the morning routine of my one and only brother, Adam. The rushing footsteps my brother would make as he made his way in and out of his room. Why you ask? He's a messy kid who doesn't know how to get organised. That's it. He is nothing more than a messy high school jock.

Anyways, back to me. The morning wind was chill. My feet landed onto the ground and the cold floor ran chills up my spine. I shivered as I made my way to the switches. With a click, I turned off the fan and turned on the lights.

I walked to my bathroom, looked at myself in the mirror and tied my hair in a bun. I grabbed my toothbrush with my eyes half- open. After that, I ransacked my closet looking for clothes.

"Found one!" I slipped into my clothes. I swung my bag onto my shoulder and shut my room door.

I dragged myself, down the passage, through the stairs. As usual, my over annoying brother would block my way. He's known as the most irritating and obnoxious brother in the world!

In the kitchen, I saw my mom preparing breakfast as my dad sat at the table top, munching down his food. My brother ran from corner to corner like a clueless chicken.

"What are you looking for, clueless chicken?" I giggled.

"Hey, Ashley! Be nice to your brother!" Mom screamed, trying to indicate dad to say something to support her.

"Yeah. Don't be mean to your lovely brother." Dad said as he was engrossed in his phone.

"Lovely?" I scoffed.

"I'm looking for my hoodie.. it's somewhere here.."

"Is it the pink one?" I said pointing it at the couch.

"Yeah."

"Mom! He's blind!! He needs glasses." I laughed so hard that I didn't realise my brother sneaking behind me.

He put his strong muscular arm around my neck, trying to choke me. Mom told him to get his hands off me before I could choke to death. He let me go, but he had rubbed his huge jock hands on my head, messing up my neatly combed hair.

"HEY! You're so gonna get it, Adam! Ugh."

Adam laughed and stuck his tongue out. I quickly combed my hair back and opened the fridge. My hands reached for the apple, before I could, Adam had snatched it. Since there wasn't anything left in the fridge as mom had just came back from her business trip and no one bothered to go grocery shopping, I got myself a pack of biscuits and a box of milk. I looked at the kitchen table to find my ready packed lunch for today. Thanks to mom, I would have a decent lunch. I stuffed my lunch box into my bag, wished my dad goodbye, gave him a peck on his cheek. Adam got his sneakers on and waited impatiently for me and my mom. I always had adored mom, she's beautiful, kind, sweet, hardworking and most importantly had a sense of fashion. We walked towards the car where my overreacting brother stood.

Mom drove off the driveway and onto the road. The road was rather empty. The car ride was a total silence as Adam had his headphones in, jamming to his favourite song. Mom turned on the radio and there it was, the artist of my dreams.

"Oh look at that! Ash..."

"Shh!!! There's nothing me back.." I hummed to the beat of the music. Mom knew she wasn't suppose to disturb me when I was in 'Shawn Mendes' mood. I'm practically obsessed with him!