ecstasy. || jeffmads (DISCONTINUED)

|chapter 9|

TW: Brief mention of self-harm.

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I opened my eyes to the sound of my father's voice, shouting, yelling. The fuck? I thought. He was always fucking shouting. I sat up and pulled the covers off me, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. My bare feet landed on the soft, flokati rug that I'd received from my aunt a couple months back. I looked down, playing with the weaving in between my toes like I always did. I couldn't help it, it was quite satisfying.

Standing up, I yawned and stretched, making my way to the curtains. I opened one and looked down to see what was happening. I saw my father and his silver Ford Mustang. He was standing at the driver's window, shouting at whoever was there.

Oh, of course. Driving lessons. I remembered he hadn't let Frances go to a proper driving school and said he'd teach her. Hah, funny. It was no wonder she wasn't able to drive by now.

Speaking of driving... shit.

I left the window and went to pick up my phone, checking the time. 8.05am. Phew. I needed transport. I sighed to myself, thinking of my options. My father was definitely out. So was Frances. Francis, just... no. Mom was at work. Elizabeth didn't know how. Nelly couldn't even ride a two-wheeled bike. That left me with one person: Ambrose. Fuck, I thought. Yeah, he wasn't my favourite, but I didn't really have a choice. I sighed and put on my bedroom slippers, leaving my room to go and seek favour.

Once I got to Ambrose's room, I found his door closed. I tried to open it, but it was locked. That was odd. I paused before knocking, thinking about how I was gonna say this. What if he refused? Actually, so what if he refused? I'd just tell Aaron I couldn't make it. I knocked and got no answer. Seriously? I thought. I grunted and knocked again.
"Yeah."
"James."
He took a really long pause before answering again.
"Coming."

I sighed and waited for him to come and open the door. He got there eventually, only opening the door to a crack, just enough for me to see him. Surprisingly, he was dressed and looked cleaned up. It was obvious he had plans too. I just hoped they wouldn't disrupt mine.
"Whatchu want, kid?" he asked. I grunted again but refused to start a fight as I wanted something from him.
"I need transport..." I mumbled.
"Yeah, you gonna have to speak up, Junior. I ain't got time for this."
I ground my teeth and looked up at him.
"I said I need transport."

He raised a brow.
"Oh?"
I looked down again.
"Yeah."
"I see. Do you know how to ask?"
Fuck him. Fuck him and his bullshit. I looked up again.
"Dude, look, I just wan-" he cut me off.
"I beg your pardon?"
This was getting annoying. But I sighed and let it slide.
"Fine. Please may you drive me? Happy?"
He smiled and nodded. Why was he like this? Stubborn ass.
"Yeah. What's up?"
"I'm going ice-skating with, uh, some friends."

This time he raised both his eyebrows. What was he going to ask now?

"Friends, huh? Or is it one friend in particular? Wink wink." He asked, actually winking. Fucking halfwit. He wasn't about to start that game with me.
"No. Friends. Just, yes or no? I don't have time for this."
He chuckled, nodding.
"Sure. Time? 'Cause I'm going out soon too."
Well, surprise, surprise. Maybe he wasn't so stubborn after all.
"Uh, nine."
He paused, whispering his thoughts and calculations out loud. He looked back at me after a couple of seconds and nodded.
"I think it'll work. We leave at quarter to. Aight?"
I nodded. He nodded back, smiling at me. I would've smiled back. He closed the door again, but didn't lock it this time.

I turned around and began walking, then stopped, going back to his room. I opened the door and peered in. He just looked at me over the top of his glasses. I looked down,
"Uh, Ambrose..." I began, looking up at him again, "Thanks."
He just nodded. I nodded back, closing the door again and making my way back to my room. I took a deep breath and shook my head, realising how much courage it actually took for me to ask my brother for a simple favour. That didn't seem right. I ignored it, however, going to pick up my phone to tell Aaron I could make it. After that I looked at the time again, realising I should probably get ready to leave.