Deep Breaths.

I laid on my bed in my room, playing on my phone. It was about 8'o clock at night. Almost sundown. I heard the door downstairs open and then close. My father must have just arrived home. I heard my parents lightly talking. My heartbeat sped up and my fingernails started scratching my bed. I told myself to calm down and I took a deep breath. Soon enough they started talking louder and louder. I pulled out my earphones from my book bag and put them in my phone. I turned on I'm God by Clams Casino. I turned it up all the way. I could still hear the faint sounds of them raising their voice.

        I heard a little knock and I took an earbud out. Just to know I heard something. I heard it again and I opened the door. It was my brother. I knew it was my brother since my parents would never knock on the door. I let him in and shut the door. I opened my closet and took out a dirty towel stuffing it under the door crack. My little brother, who was only about 7, sat on my bed. I took out my earphones and put it into his ears. I gave him an assuring smile. I don't like him living like this. He doesn't deserve this.

        I looked at him and I remembered old memories. I was 10. My brother barely 5 yet. We would hide under the bed and I would tell him to be quiet when our parents fought. Under the bed, I would play rock paper scissors with him. A quiet game. Try to learn sign language from an asl book. When I became older I was too big to hide under the bed and started hiding in the closet or not hiding at all. But the noise still continued.

        I went to school one day and I met a friend. They were nice. I was mostly quiet but that didn't stop them from talking to me. They introduced me to music. I never really got to listen to music since I didn't have a phone or computer or headphones. They realized this and we started saving up. When we raised enough money. I bought a phone off eBay. Well, they bought it. I didn't have a credit card and my parents would probably steal it. I got a phone and my friend bought me some earphones. I was really thankful and they gave me song recommendations. The most I connected with was I'm God by Clams Casino. It made me relax and especially my brother.

        I promised my brother once I turned 18. I would buy an apartment and we would live together and listen to music all day.

        I heard heavy footsteps going up the stairs. I quickly picked my brother up and put him in the closet. I gave a motion to be quiet and he nodded. I closed it and heard the footsteps. It walked past my door and I sighed with relief. I opened the closet door and lead my brother out. I heard soft footsteps go up the stairs and knock on my door. I opened it to see my mothers eyes and forehead red. Her hair messy in a ponytail. she motioned for my brother and me to come.

        I picked my brother up who hugged me. We went downstairs to the garage. I got in the car with my brother still in my arms as I sat in the front passenger seat. My mom turned on the car. She touched my brother's hair and mine. I looked warily at her. My brother touched his head.

"I don't feel so well." my brother commented.

"What's wrong."

"My head and stomach hurt." I had a headache too but I had brushed it off.

"Mom, what's going on," I said.

        She hushed me. "Shh. Deep breaths," she said touching my hair. My eyes were heavy and my stomach hurt. My brother felt still in my arms. And a tear rolled down my cheek as the last thing I heard was my music playing from my earphones.

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Short - 700 words

- C