Luka: Shattered Past

18th September 2009

Dear Diary,
                    Today, we got to go back to school. I was bullied again like last year, I still can't manage to make friends. As much as I don't like school I'm kind of happy about it. That's because it means that me and Juleka get to be away from home. Our mom is currently out working what she could for money while my dad is at home, he's been really frustrated lately as he got fired from his job so he yells at us. Today he refused to make us food, so as he went out to get more of those bad drinks, I attempted to use the oven to make Juleka some food. I didn't have any as there wasn't enough food at home. I did burn myself badly, but I managed! I hope mom comes home soon, it hasn't been the same without her.

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The young boy looked up at the building with nervousness. School was never his strongest environment.

He walked into the building, and spotted a group of boys his age. Ok Luka, you can do this.

"Um, hi there. My name is Luka, what's yours?" He asked them quietly. He wasn't expecting their awful response.

"Why do you care? Go away weirdo, we're busy." One of them exclaimed while the rest giggled. Before he could turn around and walk away in embarrassment and shame. They snatched his bag and dumped it out the window, immediately running away.

Luka felt tears forming in his eyes but eventually suppressed them. He just had to get through every day of school just like all the years before.

Later in the day, Luka along with his little sister Juleka walked back home and stepped through the door of the apartment. The instant smell of alcohol and the darkness of the hallway blocked all their senses.

"Is he...?" The innocent girl asked with hesitation.

"Yes, he is. Come on Jules." He whispered gently as he led her to their bedroom.

As Luka was doing his homework, Juleka was playing peacefully with his toys.

Out of the blue she asked "When is mom coming home?"

"I don't know Jules, hopefully soon." Luka replied. "Are you hungry?"

Juleka nodded, so when Luka finished off the question he was working on. He exited the bedroom and headed towards the living room and saw his dad still drinking and watching TV. Luka took a breath and asked in an apprehensive manner.

"Hi dad, me and Juleka are hungry. Could you make us some food as mom isn't here?"

Their father looked at him and scoffed. "I'm busy, make it yourself!" And returned his attention back to the TV.

Luka deep down didn't know whether to be hurt or numb by that and walked into the kitchen. He prepared some food and pre-heated the oven, just like he saw his mother do.

Unbeknownst to him as he was thinking about why his dad didn't want to at least help him, his hand slipped while holding the tray and he burnt himself on the inside of the oven.

"Ow!" The boy screeched, his hand palpitating in pain.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THERE?!" His father yelled.

"Nothing dad, don't worry!" In a panic, Luka correctly placed the food in the oven and put his hand under cold water.

When the food was ready, he snuck past his father without him noticing and fed his sister.

"Where's your food Luka?" She questioned, confused that there was only one plate of food.

Luka made up a quick lie "I'm not hungry, I ate a lot at school. Now eat up!" He said with a smile to reassure her.

When she finished, they both got ready for bed. While Juleka fell fast asleep. Her older brother took out an empty book from his school bag that he found at school and decided to write down all his thoughts.

He hoped his mother was ok.