Good Enough

Julian - Home, Safe

Why would you do that? Are you so desperate and pathetic you crave for someone to hug you back and actually like you for once?

Maybe I shouldn't have hugged her. She didn't hug back. She must think I'm weird now.

I groan as I open the passenger side door of Mateo's silver car. He glances at me as I sink down in the seat and look straight ahead, arms crossed over my chest. Mia liking me -

Which she doesn't.

-isn't the most pressing issue anymore. Now it's going to have to be dealing with Dad. I rub my eyes tiredly. Today was supposed to be a good day.

Mateo pulls away from the park and drives for a bit before clearing his throat.

"Sorry for telling Dad. I thought he knew."

I scoff loudly and turn my body away from him. "Yeah, well, you thought wrong."

"Sorry. But would it kill you to be more civil with him? You're always talking about him like he's some horrible guy. You shouldn't talk about your dad like that."

My hands curl into fists as my arms remain cross. "Shut the fuck up."

"What's wrong?" Mateo asks immediately.

"Nothing. Nothing is wrong. Things don't have to be wrong for me to want you to just stop fucking talking about shit that isn't your business." I snap from my seat, glaring out the window the whole time.

"Don't take that tone with me!" Mateo says in his authoritative voice, the one he whips out when he forgets that I'm not ten, but seventeen.

I sigh loudly and sink lower in the seat. I need to think of a way to avoid Dad. God. He wasn't happy. I could tell the minute I picked up the phone.

"Are you going to be home right now?" I mumble after a few beats of silence.

Mateo turns right as the streets become more residential. We're four minutes away. And for once, I find myself wishing Mateo will be home. I can't take more of Dad's anger. Not today.

"I have work in thirty minutes, remember? Then a study group. I won't be home until eight or nine. I'm just dropping you off."

I see my face fall in the reflection of the glass. I can feel the desperation sink in. I had all my hope pinned on Mateo being home. Dad would never do something when Mateo was home.

We pull into our driveway, the trek from the car to the front door seeming excruciatingly long. Normally I don't see these coming. And if I do, I'm so pumped from adrenaline that i can think quickly on my feet. Right now I feel weighed down. More tired from life than usual.

"I'll see you later!" Mateo shouts from the car as he pulls away. I don't bother responding. Instead, i jam my key into the lock and turn. I can almost hear the seconds ticking by.

I push open the door, trying to be as quiet as possible. Maybe he'll be asleep.

I close the door quietly before stepping lightly into the house. I start to make my way to the stairs, a smile of relief on my lips. I'm almost safe.

I manage to make it all the way up the stairs without incident. Ten steps to my bedroom door.

Do you hear that Julian? Sounds like someone's getting up.

I swallow thickly. Nine steps.

What are you waiting for?

Eight steps.

There goes that sound again.

Seven.

Go take your beating like a man.

Six.

God knows you deserve it.

I hurry my pace while still trying to step slowly. Two steps. I reach out my hand to turn the knob.

I made it. Luck was on my side today. Luck finally did me some good and-

I'm grabbed by the back of my shirt and yanked backwards.

~•~•~
Dun dun dun. Stay tuned folks :) I'm excited for the next chapter