"I'm going out!" Asher yells to no one in particular. It's a Saturday night; the last Saturday before finals. Asher guessed that since he goes to a prissy private school, the students wouldn't consider throwing parties. He didn't expect to get invited to a pre-finals bash by the principal's daughter. Well, Billy was invited. He is at a higher social status since he is the son of successful entrepreneurs.
"Billy!" Amelia Reinberg strutted towards their seats at the lunchroom. Billy takes a sharp breath. Why is she talking to him? No one talks to him. Asher smiled reassuringly at Billy. The poor boy will give himself ulcers from his excessive anxiety.
"Y-yes?" Billy stutters.
"I'm having a party this Saturday at my house. You're invited." She blatantly ignored Asher.
"I c-can't. I-I've g-got to s-study for f-finals." Billy excused himself. He's not going to a party. He prefers looking at the stars through his telescope. Asher had different plans. Billy needs to leave his comfort zone and as a friend, he plans on assisting the cause.
"Amelia, don't I get an invite?" Amelia looked everywhere but at him.
"It will be a small party. Only with friends."
"Really? I didn't know that you and Billy were chums. Billy, why didn't you tell me? I bet our friendship means nothing to you." Billy and Amelia were uncomfortable. Billy hates confrontation, and Asher always seems to be involved in one. Why are they friends again?
Amelia was caught in her lie, and she sighed. "I can't have you there, Asher."
"But you can have Billy?" Asher smirked as he stole a chicken nugget from Billy's plate.
"I invited him, so yes."
"Since Billy and I are friends, unlike you, he goes only if I go." Asher paused in thought, "And if another two friends come with."
Amelia's eyes twitched in annoyance, and she smiled through gritted teeth. "Of course. You guys can come."
"Awesome! See you on Saturday!" Asher winked at her, waving her off.
Asher doesn't hear a response back, so he decides to venture upstairs and repeat his statement at the beginning of the hall.
"Laura? Delilah? Anyone? I'm going out!" Asher shouts again.
"Where?" He makes out a voice from Laura and Robert's room. The door is closed and he gently wraps it before opening it.
"Am I disturbing?" Asher inquires with his hand covering his eyes, though his index and middle finger are slightly ajar. Through the slits, he sees Laura and Robert pressed up against each other. Robert has his arm wrapped around Laura's shoulder, and her head is nestled on his neck. Asher isn't a romantic at all; in fact, he's a cynic. Why would someone want to be with another willingly? There's obviously a motive behind the kisses and hugs. Each person is using the other either for money, sex, validation, etc. However, observing Robert's and Laura's relationship, Asher doesn't see any of the truths he believes in. Robert buys Laura flowers simply because he knows she likes them. Laura listens to the rambles of Robert's day because she is interested in what is happening at his work. Robert kisses Laura deeply, and it isn't to initiate anything sexual. He kisses her to remind her that he loves her truly for who she is and not for her body. Laura takes care of the home and doesn't complain about it because this is the home she built with the love of her life, and she will do anything to maintain it. Asher learned that love is not only a selfish emotion but also a selfless one.
"You always disturb." Robert says and is hurt that Asher doesn't address him (though he insulted him).
"I'm going to a party with the boys. I'll be back at around twelve."
"Isn't that too late? You have finals on Monday. You're not going." Robert speaks despite Asher's treatment towards him. He may be ignoring him, but Robert is still his caregiver, and his decision will be followed.
Asher rolls his eyes and tells Laura, "I'll text you if I'll be home later."
Robert inhales deeply to control his growing anger. He has been patient with Asher. He understood that he needed space, and Robert gave him that. Robert didn't anticipate Asher to open up to him and embrace him like the others. It doesn't mean it doesn't hurt any less. Robert is trying with Asher. He respects his boundaries, acts polite towards him, and takes the silent treatment given to him. It's the least he could do for what he's done to Asher. However, the ticking time bomb that is Robert explodes.
"The least you can do is nod your head towards me. I'm not a garbage can that I have to take your crap." Robert tightens his grip around Laura, that suppressed vexation finally taking over him.
Asher has taken to ignoring Robert. He's too overwhelmed to confront Robert and make amends. He's grateful that Robert has agreed to this arrangement. However, it makes hating him harder. Asher is confused. He desires to make peace with Robert. Grudges are hard work to maintain, and he will feel much happier if he can just let all his negative feelings go. But, he can't. No matter how long he ponders this and motivates himself to just talk to Robert, he can't.
Does Robert think he can face him when he's not ready? He's stolen everything from him. A family, love, comfort, and security. He can't steal this away from him. The right to sort his emotions, the right to ponder the events over, to let him deal with this newfound truth, his betrayal, and his choice to move forward in their relationship.
"You have to take my crap until I'm ready to throw it out," Asher responds with a scoff.
"You can't keep hiding away from reality, Asher. We need to sort out our differences out now." Robert's voice rises slightly.
"I don't want to sort out our differences now," Asher's voice matches Robert's.
"Well, I don't care. We are figuring this out." Robert releases Laura and stands on his feet, crossing his arms.
"You never care! That's the whole point. You didn't care about me before and now! I said I don't want to talk to you about anything now! Is there something about that statement you don't understand?" Asher yells in frustration.
"Yes! I do care! I care a lot actually! You're the one who doesn't care!"
"I don't care. I don't care?! ARE YOU SH*TTING ME RIGHT NOW?! I CARED MY WHOLE DAMN LIFE, AND I STILL F*CKING CARE!"
"THEN WHY ARE YOU DISREGARDING MY EXISTENCE THEN? YOU FIXED YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH EVERYONE BUT ME! WHY AM I DIFFERENT?"
"BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING PERSONAL TO ME. THE KIDS DIDN'T CHOOSE TO GIVE ME UP. LAURA DIDN'T HAVE TO TAKE ME IN. YEAH, I WISH SHE DID, BUT SHE'S BEEN MORE OF A PARENT TO ME THAN YOU EVER ARE AND WERE. THE ONLY THING YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO IS LECTURE ME. YOU LOST THAT PATERNAL RIGHT WHEN YOU DECIDE TO HAND ME OVER TO THE FOSTER SYSTEM. YOU LOST THE RIGHT TO TELL ME HOW TO RUN MY LIFE. I AM GOING TO THIS PARTY WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT, AND I AM NOT TALKING TO YOU UNTIL I AM READY."
Asher walks out of the room, not letting Robert respond. Robert stares at the space where Asher has been, basking in his words. I've lost him. There's no way he'll ever love me. Robert collapses heavily on the bed. He feels a hand on his shoulder and turns to Laura. She has tears running down her face. Robert grabs her close, breathing in her scent of lilacs. Her hands play with the hair on the nape of his neck as her way of comfort. He doesn't realize he's crying as well until he hears deep sobs coming from his mouth. "I've lost him," He repeats over and over. Robert is miserable, and he earned it. He damaged his child's life. There's no way for Robert to redeem himself.
Laura whispers sweet words to relax Robert. This can't continue. The tension between Robert and Asher are impacting their lives. As much as they clash, they need each other. She needs to bring them together because they are both too stubborn to do it on their own. She knows exactly how.
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YOU ARE READING
Homebound
Teen FictionAsher wants to escape the loneliness he feels and find refuge in a family of his own. Living with the Barkers wasn't his idea of blood bonds. He grows fond of them, but a secret threatens to ruin everything he's dreamed of. What he doesn't know is t...
