He Needs Me (Wattys 2020)

33

I was back, I was home again.

Glancing around the estate I watched as the drug dealers paced around their corner, the kids played tag in the green patch and the teenagers played violent football in the middle. I missed it all.

" Storm, heyyy" I heard from behind me, turning around quickly I realised who it was.

" Liam, hi. I'll talk to you later yeh" I said happily, Liam is a drug dealer, a 15 year old one. He provides for him and his ill mother, he nodded his head and ran back towards the guys, not before winking at me. Typical.

Ignoring everyone else I ran up to my apartment, how I missed the smell of teenagers and weed. It lingers throughout every single staircase and corridor in the whole estate.

" dad" I sighed as I slammed the wooden brown door open, my eyes were immediately graced by dad, he was stood by the tv holding the remote in his hand.

Wearing his favourite blue shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms.
His eyes became watery as soon as they made sure I was real.

" MY BABY" he yelled, dropping the remote he ran towards me. Pulling me in for a hug I smiled as his homely smell invaded my nostrils.

" yes dad I'm here" I mumbled into his shirt, tears unknowingly rolling down my red cheeks. A minute of hugging later dad pulled away and held my shoulders tightly, he began analysing my face and arms in the shirt.

" did he hurt you, did you hurt him. Tell me everything." Laughing at his quickness I sat down on the old sofa and began.

" no he didn't, mental torture yes. I'm so happy I'm back, never though he'd let me come home" I peeped the last part under my breath, glancing at his face I sniffled as the tears rolled quickly down his cheeks.

" please don't ever leave me again" without wasting another second I pulled him back in for a hug.

" I love you dad don't worry"

" me too Stormi me too" he mumbled. Sighing in content I pulled away and smiled, I was finally back where I belong.

" come on let's get some Food"

We sat in content as apparently dad had already ordered pizza. I turned my body his way and just stared at his face, it sounds wierd; also looks wierd but I couldn't help it. His previous lines of worry and sadness were gone, replaced by smooth light chocolate skin.

" Storm Andrei sent me a letter yesterday" my ears perked at the name, turning my head away from the tv I looked at him, anger slowly showing itself on my face

"What did he say dad" I asked tentatively.

" he said our debt has increased to £432000"

" what the hell was his reason too?!"

" no reason was said"

It was all apart of his damn game, trying to make me break, trying to make me stress. Well I couldn't let it happen, not this time. I couldn't even rejoice at being home, Andrei knew my weakness and exploited it to its full potential.

" sweetheart you ok" dad's soft voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Turning his way I smiled at his aging face.

" perfect dad, I'm back here"

That night I fell asleep on the sofa with dad, I love it so damn much. He laid on the right side whilst I laid on left, his legs were literally on top of my body but I felt so damn comfortable.

In the morning when we woke up dad had to leave early, he started to work at a takeaway just down the street, obviously I didn't want him to but lord knows if the man sets his mind to something he would try his damn best to do it.

Sauntering to my room I jumped on my bed in happiness, literally just needed my bed back. Everything else was worthless to me, well except dad.

I glanced around the room tiredly, the worn out wallpaper was slowly falling from the wall, the light blue paint started to look dark blue, the wardrobe looked like it was just about to fall apart.

I had to do something. No matter what Andrei did I have to pay him back, that was the only thing I could concentrate on.

After a few minutes of contemplating I sauntered into the living room and grabbed the home phone from the kitchen table.

Dialling the needed number I held it to my ear.

" hello"

" hi Ray"

" FUCK, FINN STORMS BACK!"

" Dude chill" before I could finish my sentence I heard fumbling and crashing in the background.

" we're coming to your house right now bitch" oh god, yeh I didn't need it.

Walking away from the phone tiredly I started to clean the living room, without me dad has a hard time keeping up to date with the cleaning. Chocolate wrappers and pizza boxes litter the clear glass table.

The sofas are filled with blankets, dad does this thing where if I'm not there he sleeps in the living room, apparently it's so he sees me as soon as I get home. He hates being alone.

Throwing the everything in a black bag as soon as I sat on the couch my doorbell rang, awesome, I thought.

With a huff I jumped of the couch and to the door. Opening it I was immediately bombarded with Ray and Finn.

They ran straight into the living room with confused looks plastered on their faces.

" no hello guys?" I questioned, Ray flopped on the couch whereas Finn faced me angrily.

" Storm you tell us exactly what the fuck happened, right now!" Finn spoke hastily, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I had to tell them everything. Pushing myself away from the door I pulled up a chair towards them both. Finn took a seat at the edge of the sofa.

" he took me, he locked me in a basement, annoyed the hell out of me. I drew dicks all over his wall. He got mad, then I escaped the basement and threw and random fit in front of his buisness partners, he got extra mad. He chased me, I called dad. Some shit happened then BOOM I'm back home" I finished with a
smile, I really didn't want to tell them everything cause lord knows how they'd react.

Ray sat up confused, his thick eyebrows furrowing as he thought deeply.

" dude he's not that nice, why aren't you dead" Ray questioned bluntly, leaning back in the chair I smirked.

" I guess I charmed him"