Problems (EDITING)

#5. Tutoring

RUBEN'S POV

You can come over around 4:00. I told my mom I'm going to tutoring a guy from my chemistry class.... I laugh when I see the next text that pops up on my phone.

Mom told me not to get pregnant she doesn't believe that I'm just tutoring you. I look at the clock and I decide to hop in the shower, since it is 3:30. When I get out, I carefully clean up my wrists, and randomly choose out an outfit. Well, when I look at it, I decide that it may or may not have been as random as I had originally thought.

My subconsciousness decided to pick out a pair of faded boot cut jeans, my nickleback concert tee (which just so happens to be tight enough to show off my great abs and biceps...), and my cowboy boots. I groan and get dressed. The last time I had dressed like this, was on my first date with the one girl that I have ever dated, which just so happened to cheat on me.

I pick out my favorite clogne, which is Drakkair Noir, and start heading out the door as I grab my backpack.

"Where the fuck do you think your going boy?" I flinch as I feel John's fingers dig into my arm. I can once again smell the scent of alcohol and cigars wafting off of him.

"I have a friend from school who's tutoring me." I say through clenched teeth.

"The fuck your going to toutoring!" He growls, and whips me around by my arm. He puches my stomach, and I try not to double over or scream out in pain.

I can't stand him killing us anymore. I think as he puches me in the face, causing my nose to squirt blood and me to sceam out in pain and fury. I forget about the blood as he backhands me. I swing my backpack at his head, causing him to fall to the floor.

"Fathers a name you haven't earned yet. Your just a child with a temper. Haven't you heard don't hit a lady, kicking your ass has been a pleasure." I say, as kick him in the head, making him pass out.

I then head out the door, texting mom as I go, telling to lock herself in the bathroom.

When I arrive at Alma's house, I ring the doorbell, and she awnsers almost imediatly. Her eyes go wide, and I wonder why, until I remember my bloody nose.

"Oh, yeah, can use your bathroom real quick?"

She nods, and shows me the way to the bathroom.  I wash all the blood off of my face, and attempt to get the blood off of my shirt, but eventually decide that its not going to, and hope that its going to come out in the wash. I walk into the living room, to find Alma sitting on the floor with two notebooks and the Chem book spread out around her.

"Who's this, Alma?" Asks Alma's mom as she walks in.

I automatically stand up.  "I'm Ruben Levi Shaddox. Alma offered to help me with my classes." I stick out my hand.

"Nice to meet you Ruben. I'm Alma's mom, Crystal." She says. "You seem like you were brought up properly, like a real gentleman. Not many of those around anymore." She says, laughing.

ALMA'S POV

"So, elements create ionic bonds by giving up or stealing electrons, so that they can have a full valence shell, and then attracting because...." Ruben trails off, not remembering why they bother attracting.

"Because opposite charges want to be togerther, see?" I holds up two magnets, that we are pretending are elements, and demonstrate how they attract. Someone walks in the door in a military uniform.

I drops the magnets, and throw myself in his arms.

"DADDY!!!" I scream. " YOUR HOME!!"

"Hey my little cupcake. Who's your boyfriend?" He asks in a deep voice. I blush, and mumble that he's just someone from school that I'm tutoring. Ruben gets up and sticks out a hand.

"My name is Ruben Levi Shaddox. Alma was just being nice by offering to help me with my schoolwork sir." Daddy laughs and takes Ruben's hand, letting go of me.

"Nice to meet you Ruben. But there's no need to call me sir." He rumbles. "Although I do appreciate it. My name is Blake." Ruben's phone goes off, and his face falls as he reads the message.

"Um, sorry to rush out si-Blake, but I really need to get going." 

"Would you like me to drive you home Ruben?" Dad says as Ruben starts shoving things in his backpack.

"Please, I need to get home really quick." Rubens voice cracks.

RUBEN'S POV

John's pissed. Mom knows those two words are all it takes to get me home to help her.

"Um, sorry to rush out si-Blake, but I really need to get going." I say, barely correcting myself.

"Would you like me to drive you home Ruben?" Blake says as I start shoving things in my backpack.

"Please, I need to get home really quick." My voice cracks. We head out the door.

"Son, what's wrong?" Blake asks as we hop in his truck.

"Um..."

"It must be pretty serious to make you get out of my house that quick." He says, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Yes, it is. My so called father, John, is pissed, and he's going to hurt my mom." I feel the car speed up just a bit. " Turn here." I say, pointing at my road. "This one."

"Boy, do you want me to come in with you? I know that we don't know each other that well, but-"

I cut him off. "I've got this. Thanks for your offer though. I really do appreciate it though.

He studies my face. "Alright." He nods. "Go do what you need to." I jump out of the truck as I thank him.

I run in the door, and hear wood shattering, then Mom screaming.