Oreo

Chapter 7: Tears

Orion's POV~

Romeo looked even paler than before as we approached his house.  It only made me feel a bit concerned as to what he could be dreading.  His expression had become even more unreadable than before.  However, he did seem like someone who had been lost in space and had no hope for rescue.

"Stay out here... I'll be right back." He promised, going up to the door.

"Kay.." I replied as he went inside.  I stood on the sidewalk and looked around.  He had a simple front yard.  Poorly kept grass that seemed painful to walk on just looking at it and some small lamps lining the pathway to the door.  Some plain plants lined the underside of the windowsill that was curtained off and closed.  A lone, green hatted garden gnome sat in the middle of the garden surrounded by rocks.  A hose was in a coiled heap beneath the place it should've been wrapped.

I scratched my head then slowly walked towards the porch, waiting at the bottom of the two steps.

There was the sudden sound of heavy steps, or something like that and I looked at the door with a frown.  There were some loud voices muffled out that I couldn't quite comprehend despite how hard I tried.  Then I heard some stumbling and a few thuds before a slam.  It was followed by some pounding.  I found myself on the steps, wanting to knock or break the door in.

What should I do..? What's going on in there?

I  then heard a thud coming from the side of the house which caught my attention.  Abandoning the porch, I went to check it out until I saw Romeo with a shoulder bag rush into view. 

"Hey, what just-?"

He grabbed my arm as there was the sound of splintering wood and we started running.

"Romeo!" A man shouted.

"Was that your dad?" I found myself asking.

"Let's just go, quickly." He said in a slightly raised and very irritated voice.  He had an angry expression which was almost a refreshing change to his normal face. 

We kept running until the weight of our bags slowed us down, his especially since he had two of them.  He continued to speed-walk and released my arm when he realised he was still gripping it tightly.

"... Are yo-"

"Don't ask me that stupid question!" He snapped.  "Just.. don't."

I put my hands up in defeat. "Okay.  Fine.  I get it.  You're obviously not." I tried to keep up with him.  "Slow down or you'll get us lost.  Let me lead."

He slowed his pace so he was one step behind and I noticed he had his face lowered so that his hair covered his eyes.  His hands were clenched into tight fists.  Sensing that he could use a bit of space to cool off, I didn't do what I usually did and decided to just stick to words.

"... So.. you'll be okay staying at my place for the week, right?"

"Yeah..." He replied in a breathy voice.

"... Good."  I tried to think of something else to say but decided that the rest was best saved for saying at the apartment.  I really wanted to ask what had happened back there and to be honest, I couldn't tell if he was on the verge of snapping or breaking down.  I sighed internally.  Just another few minutes...

When we finally entered my apartment complex, we put our things on the floor of the living room.  I put my hands on his shoulders, sitting him down on the couch.  "Now.  Tell me.  What happened back there."

He looked up at me with an emotion I couldn't identify.  "Why?  Why do you care so much?"

"Because I just do." I stated sternly.  "Now tell me what the fuck just happened back there.  Because frankly, I don't know if I'm gonna let you return to whatever that could've been.  You're an adult and if they're abusing you, then you have a right to leave that shithole."