My Day Off (Completed)

My Day off

My Day Off

(A short Story)

By Empress Hodge

I was relaxing on the couch, for the first time this week. This past week has been exam after exam and on top of that I had filming to do. It is really stressful being a teenage actress. I'm juggling school and filming but other than that its lots of fun. I'm home alone right now because my older sister is at filming, my mom is working- she works as an acting coach- and my dad is teaching. He works as a college professor. Right now he's volunteering at my high school. I hear the door open and close and I hear someone drop their keys. I yell out to see if I can get an answer.

"Hello?!'' I yell out. Soon enough I hear an answer.

"Laura? Is that you sweetie?" It's mom. I reached for the remote on the coffee table and pressed pause on the movie. I set the remote back down and walk out into the kitchen.

"Hey mom," I said as I opened the refrigerator. She jumped as she heard my voice and turned around.

"Hey Laura, How was your day off?'' My mom asked. My mom has always been so curious about my life. I love her but she gets on my nerves with the probing sometimes.

"Did you do anything fun? Hang out with Ross? Did you go anywhere?" My mom kept asking question after question, not giving me anytime to answer let alone time for her to breathe.

I just laughed at looked at her. This has happened so many times. She knows I don't like her to probe me.

"Ok, Ok" She put her hands up in surrender and I just laughed and walked back into the living room with my bowl of fruit in hand. I was about to press play when I heard my phone ring. I sighed, put back down the remote- which I was dreading to do- and walked upstairs. I flipped my phone open and clicked on the green accept button.

"Hello?" I said into the phone.

I heard some screams and shouts on the other end and then a voice came through.

"Hey Laura," I heard my friend Ross say on the other line. Ross is one of my best friends. He is my co-worker and he goes to school with me. We are as close as two people could be.

"Hey Ross, How was class today?" I said trying to start convocation. I was walking down the stairs trying to get back to the-oh so comfy couch.

"Terrible. I flunked my science test." Ross said. I tried not to laugh. Ross always depends on me to help him study and I couldn't this week because of exams. I promised to help him this morning but I forgot that I was talking a day off today.

"Oh Right. Sorry Ross." I apologized. I really didn't mean it because he was bound to fail anyway. He doesn't study or do any homework. He's a famous musician- in a band- and he just got back from tour. On top of that he has an acting career.

I have just acting and school. I also volunteer at my local community centers and I'm an ambassador for tons of associations. Yet I'm still a straight a student.

"Laura?" Ross asked over the phone. I replied almost immediately. He sounded kind of scared and worried.

"Yes Ross?''

"Can I come over?" I heard him sniffling and It sounded almost as if He was about to burst into tears. I felt terrible.

"Of course. Do you want me to pick you up?'' I asked.

I heard shuffling and then a door slam. I heard feet hitting the pavement in a very fast motion almost as if he was running.

"I'm on my way. Can you -sniff- meet me outside?-sneezes-"Ross asked.

I didn't even answer. I ran outside into the cold weather without a jacket. I was there for a few seconds before I was attacked by Ross in a hug. He threw himself on me making us both fall to the floor- or in this case the pavement. I didn't care though. All I cared about was my best friend that was now crying a river in my arms. I helped both of us up without letting go of the hug. I got us both inside and we sat together on the couch still hugging.

"Ross? What's wrong?" I asked. I was hoping to get an answer but instead I get silence. I decided I should probably ask again when he calms down. He dug his head in my neck as I ran my fingers through his soft, fluffy blonde hair. I've never seen him like this. I was completely worried.

After a couple more minutes He slowly and hesitantly pulled away. I took a look at his face. His nose was red, His eyes were puffy, he had a black eye that looked like it was in the process of healing and he had a hand mark on his cheek. I kissed his cheek which made him flinch but he showed a weak smile. I ran my thumb across his eye and his cheek and then kissed his forehead. Who would do this to him? Ross is one of the sweetest most caring guys I know. He wouldn't hurt a fly-literally! I looked at him one more time before getting up and walking into the kitchen. I found my mom looking over some of the bills in the kitchen. I whispered in her to make us some tea and dinner because I was not letting Ross go home tonight. He needed me and I knew it was going to take way longer than a few hours. I was about to walk back into the living room when I saw Ross get up and walk to one of our family portraits. It was the most recent one we took. On the frame it said 'Perfect Family'. He just stood there staring at it. I slowly walked up to him and took his hand in mine. I intertwined our fingers and looked up at him. He then looked down at me. His eyes were glossy and I saw a tear run down his cheek. I brought my hand up to his cheek and wiped his tear away with my thumb. I caressed his cheek and brought him upstairs to my bedroom. I opened the door and we sat on my bed together. I faced him and looked him straight in the eye.

"Will you please tell me what's wrong?" I asked in a soft voice.

He took a deep breath, looked me in the eyes and spit out the words that broke my heart.

"My parents abused me."

The End