Heartburn (Matt Tuck/OFC)

Chapter 1

Sadness.

People complain always complain about being sad.

But when you've never been happy, it doesn't really make a difference.

You can't appreciate health until you've been sick, and you can't really appreciate sleep unless you stayed up all night the previous night because you were too afraid to sleep.

My life was so cliché in so many ways, but that was only because it happened so often to so many people all around the world.

All I ever wanted was a place I could call my own, where I wasn't scared all the time. All I ever wanted was safety, and the sense of comfort in my own home.

All I ever wanted was to get out

And

Live.

I opened my eyes and looked up as my eyes adjusted to the dark. I could hear him screaming at Padge, I could almost see him doing it too. It was normal nowadays though. The constant fighting, my step-dad's drunken fits were getting old, and I wanted out...NOW.  

As soon as the yelling stopped I heard Padge stomp up the stairs. I tiptoed to his room and shut the door behind us. 

"What now?" I asked, not actually really wanting to know the details. I just wanted out. 

"Pack your things, we're getting the hell out of here." He told me as he tossed me a huge duffel that had been under his bed for far too long. I didn't question him or protest, I just nodded and happily did as I was told.

I managed to fit most of my clothes  in it, and a couple of other necessary stuff such as my cell phone charger and money.  

An hour later my stepdad was passed out on the living room rug, and Padge and I were making a run for it through his window. I wasn't at all worried about what we were leaving behind, I was more concerned about our future.

Once we were out, we walked to the nearest pay phone so Padge could call up a friend. 

I checked the time on my watch. 

"11:43..."

All was good until I heard who he was talking to: 

His best friend and band mate Matt. 

I had liked Matt ever since I could remember, and this was definitely not a position I would like him to see me in, I mean, running away meant I was homeless! Not attractive...at all! 

But on a more serious note, i didn't want to invade his space, or have him feel sorry for me. Not a single bit.

"We'll be there in ten, and thanks again man." I heard Padge say. 

He held out his hand to me and smiled sadly.

"This is all for the best, I promise. You know, this is the last time we'll ever have to put up with that bastard" He said kissing my forehead. I took his hand and we walked to Matt's. We walked for what I felt like were centuries. Then he pointed to a beautiful cream colored house on the curb.  

"We're here." He said smiling at me. 

As we walked up the driveway, I saw Matt leaning against the door, smoking a cigarette. 

His face lit up as soon as he saw Padge. He laughed like a little kid and they hugged each other. 

"Hey Arial." He said waving at me, still in an embrace with Padge. 

I waved back and looked down, this was seriously embarrassing.  

"Oh come 'ere you!!" He said and pulled me into a hug as well.  

I inhaled his marvelous scent, it was intoxicating. 

I had known this kid forever, almost my whole life, and I had always had the biggest crush on him. But this was not a time to be happy at all.

"Come on, in we go." He said nudging me towards the door. I followed him and Padge inside, where you could immediately feel the warmth of the fireplace. It was winter, and it was cold as hell.  

"So my parents are gone for the weekend..." He said and turned to look at Padge. They both looked at each other, and you could easily tell they knew exactly what the other wanted to say. 

They smiled at each other knowingly and bumped fists with each other.  

"Come here...let me show you where you're gonna stay." He said taking my stuff out of my hands. I followed him up the stairs while Padge rummaged around in the kitchen.

"Would you be comfortable enough in my room?" He asked. 

Would I ever...!

"Sure." I said trying to control my shaky voice. 

"Cool, well Padge can sleep on the top bunk, and you can have the bottom one, ill have my parents' bed." He said setting my stuff down on the bed.  

"Thank you..." I said awkwardly. He smiled empathetically. 

"Hey...if you need someone to talk to or anything, I'm here..." He said pulling me into a hug again. 

I nodded and watched him leave.  

God I loved him.

Matt's Pov

I made my way downstairs and found Padge having a beer and a sandwich.  

"She's grown a lot." I mentioned, obviously referring to Arial. He nodded and pretended to wipe a tear off. 

I was 18, only two years older than Arial, and one older than Padge.

I sat in silence while Padge told me what had happened. He explained how his dad's alcoholism had gotten worse by the minute, trying to drown his perpetual sadness in beer. His selfishness progressed as well as his dose of booze and other toxic substances. He explained with his head down how this time things were about to get out of control to and how the bastard had wanted to touch Arial while she was asleep. The poor girl didn't have a clue of that, because Padge had stopped hin right before he turned the knob on her door.  

I couldn't even handle the thought of what would be of her if Padge hadn't been around. She needed a safe place to run to, and I had the opportunity to give that to her, and Padge as well.

"Well lad, make yourself at home."
I said, overjoyed to have my best friend back in mt life.
They had always had a tough life, and I was more than glad to be able to help them get through. No one deserved the way they were treated at home, and I couldn't possibly be more proud of them for pulling through it and staying strong.

The worst was over now, and I promised myself I'd keep them safe.