Quid Pro Quo

n i n e t e e n: revelations and vacations

hi guys!

writers block is a bitch and i'm sorry this is late.

i hope you guys are all staying safe and healthy! remember to keep your distance from others and wash your hands!

btw this chapter takes place during march and the song above is mentioned in the story <3

anyway, please remember to vote, comment, and share! especially comment! i miss you guys!

love you!

~

Spring. The season of change and rebirth.

And sure, a few things in Louis's life had changed for the better. Clementine had primarily brought these adjustments and made everything outside of his house better.

But then, there came the time where he would kiss her goodbye and shut his door where he felt the same as before. Hopeless, angry at everything, and weak.

Because his dad was spending a lot more time at home. He forced Louis to spend as much time with him as possible despite his reluctance, manipulating him while holding abuse over his head if he didn't obey. His reasons behind doing this were bewildering to the teen, but he could presume that his father gained power from controlling him.

And Louis knew he should tell somebody about how his father treated him. But his entire life he had been conditioned into thinking that life wasn't going to get any better than it currently was; a huge empty house, a meaningless job, and nobody to care about him.

That clearly isn't what he wanted, but at the same time, he knew he wasn't destined for anything more. He wanted to be free and live every single day like it was his last, doing what he wanted no matter what. At the same time, however, the thought of not being wealthy was unfathomable. And if he revealed his dad's treatment, all the money that had been shoveled into his bank account would disappear.

So he kept his mouth shut.

Or that is until one night, the day after spring break officially started.

They were sitting across the living room from each other, Louis on his phone as a documentary played in the background. He was texting Clementine, trying to suppress his giggles as they joked back and forth. Suddenly, his father ripped the device out of the boy's hand and shoved it in his pocket.

"What the hell, Dad?" Louis screamed,
standing from his chair.

"You're not being respectful! Hiding your phone from me and chuckling like a girl instead of watching this film! You don't deserve the luxury."

"I don't give a shit about your film!" Louis raised his fist, ready to hit the man in front of him, but was halted by his father's strong hand.

"I wouldn't do that, y'know after your injury and all." He said with snark evident in his tone. "Don't want to break it again, yeah?"

"Oh like you care. You wouldn't even take me to the ER-!"

"That was your own fault." His dad moved his grip to his wrist, tightening his fingers to make it as painful as possible. "If you had just done as you were told, I wouldn't have had to take your phone."

"I-" Before he could retort, his dad punched him in the stomach, causing Louis to keel over.

"I recommend you shut your goddamn mouth, kid." He hissed. "Get out of my house."

"What?"

"Depend on yourself for the week. Don't come back until you've learned some respect."

Louis coughed, trying to ignore the ache in his body.