Beyond Appearances

FML

Hey guys! This story idea occurred to me in a dream. I know, I know, how cliche? But I'm going to try and make it a damn good story. Please vote and comment. I want to hear what you have to say. I apologize in advance for an grammatical errors. I just need to get it on the page!!! Thank you!!!!

I hear the crash of a lamp. I cringe knowing that my parents are fighting once again. I'm proven correct when I hear their loud voices boom as they start arguing. Just your typical night at the Nolan's house.

I put my earbuds in and play my music loud enough to drown out the rest of the world. I close my eyes and try to find the peace within myself.

I'm interrupted when my parents are looking over me on my bed. I pull out my earbuds, royally pissed that they are in my vicinity after I established my room as my sanctuary since the fighting began 5 years ago.

My dad is the first to speak. "Veronica, don't look at me like that. We need to have a discussion. Now!" The way he says "now" let's me know this isn't up for discussion.

I can't help but let my inner sarcastic self let loose. "Well, whatever can I do for you father?" I flutter my eyelashes to really sell whole innocent thing.

My mother finally decides to chime in. "Veronica Jae! Do not sass your father! This is precisely the reason we have to talk."

Why now? They've ignored me for the past 5 years, and now, all of the sudden, we need to have a discussion. This can't be good.

"Veronica, we've recently noticed that all of our fights are because of you. You've ruined our marriage. What 21 year old lives with their parents still? You're pathetic! We won't have anymore of it. You have a week to get your shit out, and leave." My dad grabs my mom's hand after dropping the bomb on me.

I stand, staring at them in shock. How dare they blame me for their fights, for their arguments, for the fall of their marriage. I barely exist. I go to work, cook, clean, and I sleep the rest of the time. I don't understand how they can't be so lovey dovey after they just had an argument not even 30 minutes ago.

Despite wanting to scream and cry, I don't. I won't give them the satisfaction. I look at them for the last time, and spit at them, "Fuck you both for blaming this on me! I haven't existed to you both for 5 years. See how well you do without me chipping in for rent, and grocery shopping, and cleaning. I've only still live here because ya can't take care of yourselves. Y'all can go to hell!" My southern accent puts the perfect emphasis on y'all. After turning away from them, I suddenly realized the marks on their arms, the smell of alcohol, the recent lack of money in the account the bills get paid from. They've turned into junkies.

I grab my bags and start filling them with my valuables, my clothes, just anything and everything. Once I'm packed, I take one last look at my room, and slam my door. I run down the stairs to the shitty smoke filled downstairs. I take one last look around and make my exit.

I get into my hunk of junk ford, and drive to my friend, Hunter's house. He lets me crash at his place when it gets rough at my house. Thankfully, he lives in his own apartment so we don't have to deal with the awkwardness of dealing with parents.

I go up the flight of stairs to apartment 27B. It's a one bedroom, run down, but sufficient little living quarter. I knock, knowing he's probably in bed, considering it's 11:30pm. He gets up at 4:30 every morning to go to work at Frammerl's ranch. He practically runs the place due to Mr. Frammerl's plummeting health conditions. The man is 85 and insists on living at home, even though he can barely take care of himself, let alone a whole ranch.

Hunter answers the door after 5 knocks, in nothing but his boxers. Did I mention that Hunter is smoking hot. He's got dark brown hair, and smoldering grey eyes, that just help to accentuate his muscular features. I'm used to seeing him shirtless, but when I see him in boxers, I can't help but focus on that v that leads below the waistband. Luckily, he's too tired to realize.

"Ron, what in the hell are you doing here?" I just give him my typical smile. He knows after he sees my eyes. My dark brown eyes, as ugly as they may be, they give everything away. He opens the door and lets me in. He doesn't ask questions about what happened, or why I have so much luggage, he just leads me down the hall to his bedroom. He hugs me, gives me his signature kiss on the head, and retreats to the living room. He's what southern mama's call, "a southern gentleman." I smile and get myself around for bed.

After I've changed, and prepared myself for bed, I crawl into his big king sized bed. Sleep comes easy, I'm too exhausted to even think back on my night, but I'm sure it'll hit me like a train tomorrow. Thank God, it's only Friday, and I have the weekend ahead of me.

A/N: Sorry it's so short. I didn't want to really give away the whole plot in the first chapter. I just wanted you to test the waters. Thank you so much for reading!!! Hope to see ya next chapter!