( √ ) 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒, boris pavlikovsky

1. goodbye

I FINALLY ARRIVED HOME after a long, dreadful walk in the rain. but to me, even home was more undesirable and murky than the dirty water that soaked the pavement. with each step i took towards my house, i felt like something bad was going to happen and wasn't sure why.

water dripped from my jacket and mud was smeared on both my nikes and hem of my jeans. i hated the feeling of feeling so dirty; i wanted nothing but to take a long, steaming shower and listen to my favorite artists.

my mood worsened when i finally arrived home, seeing my drunken stepfather laid lazily on the couch, watching football with a beer bottle carelessly in his hand. quietly, i attempted to tip toe past him, but the squeak of my shoe against the wood tile gave me away.

"where have you been?" he slurred loudly before stumbling toward me. i stood fearfully in peace, anxious that i'd piss him off even more than he appeared to be.

"i-i missed the school bus so i had to walk home and-"

"and who's fault is that"? he yelled back, cutting me off. "you know your duties in this household. who's gonna cook and clean for all of us, huh? your mom doesn't!"

i stood completely still as tears threatened to spill from my eyes. i was almost paralyzed; my eyes was the only thing able to move, yet they were still glued on the drunk, disgusting man my mom married.

it made me even more livid that he was in fact right, my mom had been working two full time jobs because my stepfather had lost his. on top of that, she was pregnant with his child which is something that made me even more upset. this child meant that he'd be glued to our family, and for life.

"look at you," he laughed. "all you're gonna do is stand there like a little bitch! god, i can't wait til i send you to boarding school."

"man, fuck you," i mumbled without thought. my eyes widened when i realized what i just said, my stepfather looked at me with surprise and anger in his eyes before i felt large, stinging sensation on my right cheek.

he just fucking slapped me.

without thought, i ran to and up the stairs as adrenaline pumped through my veins aggressively, triggered from fear. he followed me but luckily, he was drunk so he couldn't catch up. i rushed into my bedroom and quickly locked the door behind me, then backed away as the sound of his footsteps got closer. he pounded harshly on the door before screaming all the slurs and degrading phrases he could think of. i cried in a corner, feeling hopeless until i finally heard him walk away.

i can't live like this anymore.

i don't know if it was the heat of the moment or the tiredness of the abuse in general, but without thinking twice, i got a suitcase and backpack from my closet, then packed all my necessities and favorite clothing.

i was going to run away. far away.

i had to wait another hour to ensure that my stepfather was asleep, but meanwhile, i counted my saved cash and coins and decided on writing a letter to my mom.

dear mom,

if you're reading this, it's too late.

i'm sorry to be leaving you but i literally won't put

up with dan and his abuse. you're strong i guess but

i'm not strong enough to stay here. me and you,

we've never had a real bond anyway so there won't

be much to miss. i'm going far away and i hope

genuinely you never see me again. good luck with

the baby i guess.

- y/n

...

after haven snuck out my window, i paced fast as i could as i tugged my suitcase behind me. luckily for me, the bus stop was only one mile down, a twenty minute walk at the speed i was going. i've never felt so scared but so free in my life. hopefully it was all worth it.

in less than twenty-five minutes, i made it to the stop and fortunately for me, the bus was already approaching.

the bus door whistled as it opened, and hesitantly i stepped on. before finding a seat, i looked at the bus driver and ask "how far does this bus go?"

"las vegas," he replied.

"to vegas i go then," i mumbled to myself before walking down the semi-empty bus aisle, finding a comfortable seat in the back to rest.

i wonder what's in vegas...

AUTHOR SPEAKS!!
so i edited this and there was
sm mistakes like why didn't
anyone tell me🧍🏾‍♀️...

anyways, you and boris meet
in the next chapter ig😩😩