The Deep End of Everything

Chapter 1

Ariya

I let out a breath as I sink into the hot bath Wes drew for me. The warm water feels good on my sore muscles and the bruises lining my arms.

Father had another angry spell this afternoon because I was at the carnival in town with Wes past noon. We were so caught up with the women on silks and men juggling that we lost track of time, and as usual father took his anger out on me with his fists.

"I'm going to kill him, Ariya. I am," Wes says from outside the door. "How can he treat his own daughter like this."

I can hear the anger in his voice.

Wes is very short tempered. Although, he's not very intimidating. He's not super tall. I'd guess no taller than six feet. His hair is dark brown and flows past his ears, which gives him a boyish look, albeit he will be eighteen this spring. His eyes are a light brown. My favorite feature of his is a scar I gave him at the tip of his left eyebrow when we were twelve. It was because he threw mud in my hair, so I punched him. That is the epitome of our friendship.

Wes has been my best friend since we were five. He's the one person who's always there for me when father gets out of control. I stayed at his house for almost a month when mother first died. And he always keeps me from getting seriously hurt.

"Come on Wes," I say as I position myself so I can rest my arms on the sides of the tub. "I'm fine, I promise."

"That's what you always say." He says mumbling.

He's right. I do always say that. I just don't want him to worry because he tends to do that. He's very protective of me when it comes to my safety.

I don't respond and awkward silence fills the space. I try to change the subject.

"So how's Lianna feeling? She can't be too comfortable in her condition."

To my relief, he takes the shift in conversation.

"Doesn't seem to be too uncomfortable to me." He says with a low chuckle. "She still insists on doing all the cooking herself. But I'd say the baby should be here within a couple weeks, provided there are no complications." His voice trails off at the end of the sentence.

Wes lives with his older brother, Darren who is twelve years older than him. Their mother died during the birth of Wes (due to complications of having to be born early), and their father left when Wes was only two. They've lived alone ever since.

Darren married Lianna a little over a year ago. She's short and lean, and has the most beautiful voice, which is quite the opposite of Darren who is tall and bulky.

She has long red hair that she always braids at her side. Although I haven't known her as long as I have Wes and Darren, she's like an older sister to me.

I can't help but bark out a laugh.

"I would expect nothing less from her."

Her attitude is almost as fiery as her hair.

I hear Wes let out a sigh as his head thuds back against the door.

"I really hope the birth goes as planned." He's afraid Lianna will face the same fate his mother did, and I don't blame him.

"It will." I say trying to comfort him.

"Let's hope you're right."

We settle into a comfortable silence as I slide deeper into the water and let the warmth wrap around me. After what I guess is five minutes pass I hear Wes stand up and leave. Now it's just me alone with my thoughts.