The sun shined into the room in flooded beams, one shining in my eyes. I rubbed my face while siting up. The blanket I slept with was wrinkled around my feet.
When I stood I followed the smell of pancakes to the kitchen. Luke stood in front of the stove. On the counter sat a plate of golden pancakes.
"Smells good!" I said when I sat.
Luke turned slightly away from the stove, "Thanks. They will be good."
"So you like to cook?" My hands rested on the island countertop.
"I guess." He shrugged. Luke's face slightly reddened.
"Don't be embarrassed!" I exclaimed, "Girls like guys that can cook!"
"Really?" Luke said, his face brightening. I nodded. "I'll be right back." Luke whispered before leaving to the living room. When he returned he pushed Mckenzie in front of him and had her sit next to me. She still had her eyes half closed and sleep in her system.
"Why'd you wake me up?" She groaned.
"Breakfast is almost ready!" Luke said nervously. He returned to the stove and continued pouring and flipping pancakes. Luke winked at me while still cooking.
Mckenzie shrugged, "At least it looks good." Luke finished the batter and served a plate of hot pancakes to each of us.
"I REMEMBER WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY!" Ashton screamed from the living room. His loud stomps resulted in him bursting through the door, "I remember what I was going to say." He said more calmly.
"Well, spit it out Irwin!" I exclaimed.
He nodded, "Okay, we got the best news the other day!" I nodded, signaling him to continue. "5 SECONDS OF SUMMER IS GOING ON TOUR!" He jumped in the air with his fist raised.
I jumped from my seat, "Seriously?"
Ashton nodded, "Yes! Isn't it amazing?" Before I could answer I shot towards him, jumping onto him and hugging him tightly. Tears of joy surfaced at the corners of my eyes. Ashton's arms squeezed me tightly.
When I finally pulled away Ashton looked me in the eye. "Do you want to come with us?" He asked. Though his voice was steady I could tell he was nervous.
My jaw dropped. I couldn't imagine what it'd be like going on a tour. Concerts and traveling, it would be amazing. But, my Father would never let me go.
"I would love to Ashton." I began, "But, I can't." Ashton's face fell, making it hard to say, "My Dad would never let me go and I have work in the fall."
"The tour is only for the summer! You wouldn't miss any work!"
It was so hard to say no. "Ashton, I can't. You have to understand."
Ashton slowly nodded. "You're right. It was a long shot, asking for you to come." He looked at the ground, "Anyway we leave next week."
My eyes widened, "That's so soon!"
"My offer stands until we get on the plane." Ashton smiled. I couldn't resist to hug him again, with nothing else to say.
Through breakfast we talked about the concert. Ashton explained that a manager had approached them after the gig with the contract for the tour and some more things I didn't really listen to.
"I should probably head home." I said while glancing at the clock that read ten to one.
Mckenzie pouted her lip but nodded, "I guess so."
Before we left each of the boys gave us a hug and Michael showed us out. He waved as we drove out of the driveway.
"Oh my god!" Mckenzie screamed, "They asked you to go on tour with them!" She was so excited she squirmed in her seat, "Do you know how cool that would be? To go on a tour with a band!"
I smiled as she continued to ramble until I pulled into her house. My head was in the clouds the whole drive home. The excitement of thinking about touring with the boys made me smile. That is until I walked into the door of my home.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!" My Father screamed right as the door opened.
I cringed, "I was just with some friends." My voice was quiet and hopeless. I hated when my Father was like this, he scared me.
"That's not good enough Alice!" He yanked me to the couch where he sat me down. My shoulders ached from his strong grip. "Who were you with?"
"Just a couple friends Dad!" I avoided his eyes. My shoulders dropped and my back hunched.
"Tell me now! Were they that important that you couldn't tell me where you were!" Alcohol reeked on his breath.
Instead of questioning his drinking I answered the question in fear of him hitting me. "I was with Mckenzie!" I stammered.
"Who else?" His outburst was normal. I was used to getting severely punished for simple things. My Father was barely ever in his right mind, and barely ever sober.
"A few new friends I had met." I whispered.
"Where'd you meet them!" He pried. His anger still held in his booming tone.
I shrugged. "I met him at work."
"Him?! It was a boy?" I slightly nodded only to be stopped by his hand slapping my cheek. I fell backwards with the blow. As I regained my balance he hit me again.
I tried to stand but was pushed to the ground. He stood over me with his fists clenched. Then he began to kick my sides. I cried out in pain and begged him to stop. When he did I was pulled to my feet by my hair.
I doubled over in pain. Electric shocks pierced my ribs and stomach. My head was dizzy and my legs wobbled.
Not expecting another blow was a mistake. His fist came down square with my face. Again I fell to the ground. My cries of pain were useless since my Father had shown no mercy.
When I could stand I raced to my room, locking the door. My Father's pounds repeated on my door as I quickly packed a bag of clothes and close belongings. He shouted horrible things through the door that made me feel worthless. After taking one last look at my room I jumped out the window with the bag I had packed.
I couldn't take this any longer. This was the last time I was going to let him hurt me. There was no chance of me living in this nightmare any longer.
Tears began to stain my face when I felt blood trickle down my cheeks and nose. The hatred I had toward the man who raised me was unthinkable.
I jumped into my car and drove away from the house I had grown up in. With only bad memories surfacing I drove faster than expected.
Driving aimlessly through town I cried. I cried until I had no tears left. Then I just hiccuped and sniffled.
The bleeding had stopped. With the dried blood and tears I looked like a complete mess.
I took out my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found the right one. Ashton. Three rings later the line picked up. "Hello?" A hoarse Australian accent said on the other end.
"Hey Ashton, it's Alice." I said shakily.
"Alice?" He sounded sleepy. Then slowly growing awake. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"
I sighed, "Not really. Did I wake you up?"
"Yeah, but it's okay. I was just taking a nap." He genuinely seemed alright with me waking him up. "Do you want to tell me what's wrong?"
"Can we meet somewhere?" I asked lightly.
"Yeah, anywhere." I could almost see his smile.
"Thanks Ash." I almost cried with joy. My throat closing for a quick second as happiness surged into me. "Can we just meet at the parking lot of Walmart?"
"Uh, sure." Ashton said confused. "I'll be there as soon as I can." With that the line went dead.
