The Only Reason

Chapter 9

Jade's pov

I got out of the car and found Calum outside my front door.

"What are you doing here?" I asked and took out my keys.

"I was just gonna ask if you wanted to go to a party with me tomorrow" he said and looked behind me.

I heard Ashton drive away so I'm guessing Calum saw us...

"Uhm, wanna come inside?" I asked but didn't move.

"No thanks, I should go. It's late" he had his head down and was about to walk away when I stopped him.

"Sure" I said and he turned around.

"What?" His eyes finally met mine.

"I'll go to the party with you." I gave him a half smile.

"Great! I'll pick you up at 6!" he disappeared and left me there.

What the fuck did I just get myself into?

I've never been to a party. I've never drank alcohol before. And if I do, what if I get addicted to the feeling of no stress, no depression and no emptiness.

///

I fell asleep at 5am that night. I couldn't stop worrying about what will happen. When I woke up at 8am I realized I wouldn't be able to fall back asleep so in an oversized t-shirt I went down to the kitchen. To my surprise, dad and mom was eating breakfast and reading the paper. Jake was probably still asleep.

"Hey sweetie" mom greeted me without looking up from the paper.

"Hi" I said but it came out more as a question.

They're never here, and when they are, they don't pay much attention to me. Well, my dad does, only to tell me everything I do wrong and scream at me.

My dad gave me a nod and I filled a glass of water and headed back to my room. My phone buzzed and I read the text I got from my dad, who was literally sitting downstairs.

Dad:

Lunch at 1pm. It's not a choice

I groaned and locked my phone. What's his problem???

A knock on my door and a "Jade, are you awake?" was heard and I nodded. Realizing he couldn't see me I whispered "come in" and Jake tip toed over to my bed.

"Did you get the text too?" I asked and he nodded.

"Are they here?" He whispered.

"They're downstairs. Mom is being really weird. She called me 'sweetie'"

"What do they want?" I replied with a shrug.

"I'm sorry" Jake started. "I never did anything when dad screamed at you and made you cry. I'm sorry for letting him do that to you since you were a little kid" he cried and I felt tears forming in my eyes.

"I just played video games or whatever and pretended like I couldn't hear. I heard you cry yourself to sleep, all alone. I just- I just wanna go back and be there for you." I didn't know how to respond.

I used to hate him because he let all that happen. My childhood was the worst thing ever and not even my brother was there for me. He let me be treated like shit.

"Its okay now." I comforted him.

"No it's not. You had to try to kill yourself for me to care! What if you died?" He cried even more.