The Streetfighter

Chapter 15

p. o. v. Cole:

The next day I woke up on the couch with one of the blankets pulled over me. My dad stood at the foot of the sofa and just waited for me to sit up.

"Son!" he shouted, "Why do I have to find you on this sofa and not in your bed."

"I fell asleep here sorry."

"Yeah sure that's why you smell like scotch and vodka."

"I had a fight with Simon okay."

"That's why you have the right to drink three bottles of my alcohol?"

"No father."

"Exactly now go and take a shower and then go to school!"

"Of course father."

I went upstairs and took a long, hot shower. My head hurt like hell and I had the biggest bags under the eyes I've ever seen. At least I didn't stink like alcohol anymore.

In the kitchen, I grabbed an apple and a big bottle of water and waited for Jack. He came downstairs five minutes after me and said: "I guess you had a rough night."

"You could say so."

"Want a lift to school?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay then let's go."

We went outside to the car got inside and drove off.

After a while, Jack asked me: "What happened yesterday with you?"

"Ohh, you know just a fight with Simon."

"You should know that I notice when you are lying. So tell me the real reason why Hannah brought you home at 5 am."

"I just wanted to stop thinking about it. It was the only thing I could think of after I did all of the paperwork I had left ."

"So you decided to drink."

"Yes."

"And then you ended up at Simon's and Hannahs house around 4 am."

"Did I?!"

"Yes, she brought you home."

"Oh god, that's so embarrassing."

"It is. And you owe her a new car."

"Wait, what?!"

"Yes you had to vomit in the car and now she wants a new one."

"Oh damn, my dad is going to kill me."

"Yes, he will kill you."

The rest of the drive was silent. It was a comforting silence not one of these awkward silences.

In school, I had much trouble to concentrate and my bottle of water was already empty. Simon usually sits next to me but after our fight, he was so angry with me that he couldn't even look at me.

p. o. v. Joseph:

I found Cole on our couch this morning. I don't know what happened to him but he should fix this as soon as possible. He can't take over my gang when he can't even handle his own life. Elijah would be happy if he could take over the gang. When Cole came out to the rest of the family he was the only one who said: "How can he take over the gang when he is gay. It makes him weak. There are only male gang leaders and when he falls in love with one then we'll have the worst of trouble."

I knew that he is a homophobe but I didn't think that he was such an asshole to my son. I thought he could at least be nice to my son. Since that had happened I think he was right I shouldn't just have given him the gang. He isn't ready yet.

During the morning the bell rang and one of our maids opened the door and told me that Elijah was there to speak to me.

"Bring him to the office, Miranda."

"Of course Sir."

Elijah entered my office and said:

"Hello, Joseph. How are things going?"

"All good. What are you doing here."

"I came here to offer myself to take over the gang. Since I am Cole's cousin there wouldn't be any problems."

"Not a chance that you will lead my gang."

"Come on uncle Joseph. I would do way better than your gay son."

"I don't think so. It's not a reason to not give him the leadership of the gang."

"I think it is."

"If you want the gang then you'll have to prove me that you are the better leader."

"Then I will do that. Just tell me what I have to do."

"Let's talk about it when Cole is back from school. You can stay here for a while. Miranda will show you to one of our guest rooms. We will talk about a few details during lunch."

"Of course."

When Elijah left I went back to work. My thought constantly drifted back to Elijah's offer to take over the leadership instead of Cole. When he will find out today it will break him. Both of them would make great leaders but I wanted my son to lead, so he has to win the competition.

Lunch with Elijah was better than I thought it would be. I told him a few things I didn't want to see around my house and some other rules like: No contact with Mika.

He completely understood that rule but he would try to get near her anyway. He always does. That's one of the reasons why he can't stay here for a long time. I don't want anyone near her.

Cole, Jack, and Mika came home at the same time. Elijah sat on the sofa I guess because as soon as the door shut I heard Cole shouting: " What the hell are you doing here!?"

"I came here to prove your father that I am the better leader than you."

"Have fun with that but I am the leader."

"Are you so sure of that you fag?"

"Don't ever call me fag again."

"We'll see."

I had to go downstairs so they didn't shoot each other.

"What the hell is going on here?!"

"He wants to take my place!"

"You two will fight for this place."

"Wait, what?!"

"Yes, you will have to prove to me that you are worth it."

"But I am your son I should take over the gang."

"It doesn't have to be the oldest son."

"You don't really think of giving it all to that homophobe?"

"Both of you would make great leaders and I haven't made my choice yet."

"So what do we have to do?"

"We will discuss that during dinner. Cole, you should finish your work and Jack please come with me. Mika, you're free to do whatever you want."

"I don't have any work left. I did everything yesterday."

"Well then fix whatever is wrong in your life."

"Okay, father."

I took Jack to my office and told him my plan of letting Cole win this competition. He seemed to be confused at first and I had to explain every single thing twice. Sometimes I'm asking myself why he is in this gang he is so stupid. My plan is to sabotage Elijah because I don't want him as a leader and no one in the gang either. It will be hard and I also need Mika's help. He is very attracted to her which I can use to my advantage. We just have to hope Elijah doesn't do anything stupid like shooting my son. Or anything worse.