The Pros and Cons of Walking the Knifes Edge

Chapter 1

Matthews POV

i listen to Xavier screaming at our parents, as I am curled up in a ball in the corner crying. I hear glass shatter against the hardwood floor, as I hear my mom scream. Xavier comes in, slamming my door behind him. He sits down beside me and hugs me. He tries his best to comfort me, but nothing seems to be working. Whenever Xavier comforts me, or at least tries to, I usually end up falling asleep in his arms. Surprisingly that's exactly what happened. I woke up on my bed, Xavier on my floor reading a book. I yawn, rather loudly, getting his attention. "Feel better?" Xavier asked. I nodded, his black and silver hair hung over his eye, our dog Maxi's head in his lap. I moved to the floor, sitting beside him. I moved his hair from his face, he winced from pain. He had a black eye... "Why are you still here?" I asked. He looked at me, confused. "Why haven't you moved out? You're nineteen". He sighed, "I stay here for you Matthew". I smile slightly, wondering why he would stay in this hell hole. He pulled me into a hug, "I love you, and Maxi does too". I look away, wondering why anyone would love me. That's when Xavier left to go get ready. I stood up and got ready for school. I immediately head down the stairs and out to Xavier's car, completely ignoring my parents. If I should even call them that, Xavier has been more of a parent to me my whole life then my so called parents. My brother and i were safe up until i was 4, xavier was 7. We were put up for adoption by our grandparents after our birth parents died in a horrific car accident. The day we got adopted was the day the abuse started.

The car ride on the way to school was quiet, no talking, no music, just air. When we got to school I stepped out of the vehicle and went straight to my locker, only to have it slammed in my face. I felt the familiar pain of Georges fist connecting with my cheek, and I tried my best not to let out any tears. Showing him weakness was like committing suicide. He kept punching and slapping me. I couldn't hold it any longer. I let out a choked sob, "stop" I regretted saying that as soon as it left my mouth. i got pushed down by George and kicked multiple times. That's when the bell rang. I should have known better then to try to stick up for myself. Lying on the ground I find myself getting beat up more then I breathe. I try to stand, but fall back down. I try again, this time getting back up, I walk towards the exit. I ran home, slamming the door as Xavier looked at me concerned. I ran straight up to my room. I started screaming and throwing things around. Xavier came up from behind and hugged me. "Calm down". I sat down and curled up into a ball. "I'm useless" I whispered into my legs. "Don't say that", Xavier informed, sitting beside me.