Forever

Chapter 1

"Oi! Kayla, get your worthless arse down 'ere right now!" My mother, she hasn't been herself since the awful tragedy which struck our once joyful family five years ago.

Sitting on the edge of my bed I searched for my phone. I spotted it on my desk and slowly lifted myself up, trying to make as little noise as possible. Picking it up I slipped it into my pocket and began my journey of fear down the creaking stairs to join my mother.

The second I reached her I saw her face red with fury.
"What took you so long?!" She screamed in my face. Her breath reeked of alcohol, as usual. Laying on the floor was an empty bottle of red wine, the cheapest we could afford.
"Sorry mother, is there anything you need?" I worded my question carefully so I don't get yelled at once again for having a bad attitude.
"Yeah, go down the corner shop an' get me some more wine!" Her voice slurred, I glanced over to the tv where the time read 6:46pm.
"But I'm only 17, I can't buy alcohol at this age"
"I don' give a damn! Go now! An' get a couple pizzas, there's a couple quid on the table." She yelled. Rolling my eyes I picked up the two £5 notes from the table and made my way to the door where I slid on some shoes and headed out.

Bringing my phone out from the depths of my pocket I notice a message from my best friend, Lily. It read: "Hey babe are you free this Friday? I was thinking about seeing that new movie with you?" The message ended with more kisses (shown as 'x' in the texting world which I shall never understand) than I can count on two hands. I begin to type: "I'm always free, I'd love to get out of my mothers way for a while so yeah I'll come"

I lock my phone as I approach the very small newsagents. Taking a deep breath I step in.

"Ah hello Kayla" Jake's welcoming smile greets me, he manages the shop, probably in his mid to late twenties.
"Hi Jake" I replied, rather simply. I begin to walk around the four-walled shop in search for wine and cheese pizza.
"How's your mother doing? Still losing the plot?" he chuckled kindly.
"I'm afraid so" I say looking at the wine section, I picked up the cheapest I could find and made my way to the freezers. Taking hold of two pizzas we usually have. I stumble back towards the entrance and place the items on the counter in front of Jake.

"You know, if ever you need someone you can always count on your old buddy Jake" he smiled, one of his warm smiles which always fills me with a little happiness.
"Thank you, I really appreciate it" I smiled back as he scanned the pizzas and the wine.
"Anytime sweetheart. That'll be £13.59 please"
"Oh shit!" I exclaimed looking down at my palm with the £10 gently resting in it. I fumbled in my pockets for any coins that have miraculously spawned there. Nothing.
"Don't worry about it love" Jake gently patted my head, he does that occasionally, and I'm not sure why but I feel calmed when he does.

Picking up the bag, I turn to leave when I am stopped by his strong hand holding my shoulder. I turn around.
"Don't think you're getting away that easily" he grins, walking out from the back of the counter. Facing me he places a hand on each of my shoulders and pulls me towards him. The next thing I know his muscular arms are wrapped around my shoulders. I hug him back tightly with one arm and listen to his heart thumping from inside his chest. We release and smile at one another. Although Jake may be around ten years older than me I have always seen him as a bigger brother.
"Goodnight" I say walking out of the door.

Shivering I begin waddling back home. Why did I not put a coat on? I feel for the hood on my jumper, and lift it over my cold head in an attempt to keep me slightly warmer. Shoving my hands in my pockets I let the rustling plastic bag slide from my forearm to my wrist.

I think about mother, how innocent she once was. Before she went off the rails I had only ever seen her drunk once- and even then we would class it as "giggly drunk" where she hadn't yet become aggressive. I preferred it back then. We had a close connection, she could sense when there was something wrong. We would laugh and joke around, it was great. But now I don't even know her anymore... I live with a stranger whom I call mother.

Finally I reached my front door. The blue paint is faded, the little window has a crack running from the bottom left corner to the middle. I find my phone from my pocket once again. Looking at the time it says: 7:09pm. Oh gosh! I took so long! I brace myself and push open the door with great force.

"How long does it bloody take you?! You can't do anything right!" Mother yells storming towards me as I close the door. I place the bag on the table and slip my shoes off. As I look up I see her demonic face glaring at me, her fist clenched next to her face, ready to hit. She throws a punch in my direction. Falling to the floor I clutch my cheek and I watch her walk away with the bottle of wine to watch some crappy women's show on tv.

A single tear rolls down my bruised cheek. No, you are stronger than this! I think. Picking up the bag of pizzas I walk to the kitchen and heat the oven. I take out my phone and see a message from Lily: "Awesome. Come over after school and you're sleeping at mine whether you like it or not babe" I smiled, I love going to Lily's, her parents are always so welcoming. Unlike my mother.
Beep beep. Beep beep.
Done.

Grabbing some oven gloves I lift the pizzas out and put them on the only plates we have. I pick up my phone and the two plates, and walk to where my mum sat, drinking from the bottle.
"Here" I give her the plate and walk our of the room so I can hide in my bedroom for the rest of the night.

When I reach my room I take a look in the mirror, my cheek is red where mother hit me. I roll up my sleeves, revealing about five other bruises on each arm. Suddenly tears begin streaming down my face. What did I do to deserve this?