The furtive whispers in the next room bring tears to my eyes. I wish they were yelling at each other. Hearing them whisper, but not being able to make out their words drives me crazy. I clutch my blankets in tight fists as the tears begin their attempts to break free.
Please not tonight, I think. Not ever again.
I loathe crying. It shows weakness and I am not weak. Suddenly, I can’t handle it anymore. I’m out of bed before I even comprehend what I’m doing. I’m sliding into shorts and a tank-top and slipping on my DCs.
My duffel bag is on my bed and I am shoving any and all clothes I own into it. My jewelry box goes in there too because I don’t plan on coming back anytime soon. Something drops out of it and I pick it up. It’s my anklet. A sliver chain with small red hearts strung along it. I sigh and clasp it around my right ankle.
I don’t even bother to be quiet as I yank open my bedroom door and stomp downstairs. My parents are downstairs as I make my way to the front door, snatching up my purse and keys as I pass.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Mom yells.
I stop and turn back. They stand at the foot of the stairs, both watching me with incredulous expressions, eyes on the duffel bag in my hand.
“Out.” I reply.
I pull open the front door and walk onto the front step.
“Get back inside right now, Rain,” Mom shouts, coming toward me.
“Screw you!” I shout back as I throw the duffel in the back seat, climb into my car, and drive off as fast as possible.
