red | e.d

three

EDEN-JADE THURLOW

It was the second day of school, the week already dragging and we'd barely hit Tuesday.

I was sat on my bed, the basic interior and my old, half broken wardrobe opposite. My room was always tidy, I felt like it needed to be. It was the only space in my small house that was completely my own, and the rest of the place was a dump.

I stood up when I received a text from Luke, letting me know that he was outside in his car. He got his license last year, meanwhile I can't even afford to take lessons. My best friend understands though, and is pretty much my personal taxi.

I grabbed my bag and threw it over my shoulder, heading straight past the mirror. I closed my bedroom door behind me and headed straight out of my room, walking past the living area, where my mom laid on the sofa, beer bottles surrounding her, and empty cans on the floor.

The whole house stank of smoke and alcohol in one, my nose scrunching up at the disgusting smell and at the sight in front of my eyes. However, before I could even leave, the door opened, revealing my brother, Alex.

Alex is a mommy's boy, which is odd considering that our mom has never acted like a mom. He always cares for her, cleans up her mess, and acts like my father. Probably to make up for the fact that we never really had one. I love him more than anything, he was the only person in this house that I didn't dread seeing or spending time with. He's taught me an awful lot.

I watched as my brother ran a hand through his brown hair, sighing when he saw the state that our mom was in. It was nothing new, but I could tell he still had that ounce of hope inside that it would all change by the snap of his finger.

His tall and muscular frame headed through the room and towards the sofa, his large hands scratching at his stubble, which he clearly had been too stressed to shave. He was only wearing a pair of pyjama bottoms, until I threw him his favourite black hoodie that was resting on the table.

Instantly he grabbed the blanket from the side of the couch and draped it over our mom's body, then picking up the empty glass bottles and cans, too many to count. It definitely was not a safe amount, it worried him and I to death. Even though I acted like I didn't care sometimes.

" Is your little boyfriend picking you up? " Alex asked suddenly, catching my attention.
I rolled my eyes at his comment, receiving a smirk in response. Alex will be turning twenty soon, with all of his friends doing big things already. However, he's stuck looking after my mom.
" You have your entire life to be a jerk, why don't you take today off? " I responded with a sarcastic smile, watching as Alex threw his hands up into the air in defence, a laugh erupting from his lips.
" Chill. I like Luke, he's probably the only guy I will ever trust you with " My brother told me, something which I already knew.

If he knew that I used to mess around with his bestfriend, Kyle, I would be well and truly dead. I still remember the day that Alex beat some guy in his grade's ass and got expelled for it, all because he made a comment about me in gym. He's that overprotective brother, so with him, I'll take what I can get. I'm surprised he even likes Luke. I'm surprised I even like Luke, I don't like many people.

On that note, I waved goodbye, closing the front door behind me. I instantly noticed Luke sitting in the drivers seat of his car, tapping the wheel impatiently. He was going to lecture me about how late I was being, and I knew it. I was right.