“What? I mean, seriously. Come on. Your dad can’t actually think any of this was your fault. They almost killed you. They were drunk, from what I could gather from that night. They should be rotting away in jail. Or juvie. Or something.”I shrugged. “My father pretty much showed his ass in that office. Said things like I needed to be focusing on school instead of chasing down four guys I’d provoked.”Aly’s jaw dropped open. “What!?”“He also said I’d been a problem child my whole life. Essentially tried to paint me as some bad boy trying to get the one-up on someone before they got the one-up on me. He told the lawyer that he didn’t see those boys pressing assault charges on me when I started the fight. So why should I press attempted murder charges on them simply because they were seeking out revenge like most young boys do?”Mike’s face turned red. “Is it always like this with your father?”I sighed. “I mean, let’s just say I’ve talked a big game in the past with bruises I’ve come t
I stopped for one last breather a couple of blocks away from my house. I watched it looming in the distance, sparkling underneath the harshness of the sun. Sweat dripped down my back as I sighed. I watched the off-colored white glisten against the deep red shutters of the house. During the entirety of my childhood, I remembered that house in three distinct ways. Three different sets of colors that all popped more than the houses around it. Maybe it was the fresh coats of paint put on it every year that kept the house lively. Maybe it was the fact that it was the biggest house on the block. Or, maybe, it was the fact that we had the only house with a wrap-around porch as well as a wrought iron front gate that was barely utilized.Either way, it stood out.I picked up the pace. I went from standing still to walking. To speed walking. To jogging. I burst into a sprint, pumping air through my lungs and feeling them expand into my back. I felt the last pangs from my ribcage fall free, rele
I felt myself blush. “Okay, yes. We are officially together. So, yeah. We’re going to prom together.”“You still don’t sound too sure of that. Is everything going okay with his recuperation?”I shrugged. “I mean, he’s always struggling with his dad. Which I’m sure is affecting his recuperation efforts. But he’s okay. Far as I can tell.”“I’d like to get his dad in a room for a few minutes.”I scoffed. “Wouldn't we all.”“So, how are the two of you? You know, now that he’s on the mend?”I felt myself blush deeper. “I guess we’re good.”“You guess, huh?”“You’re a dick, you know that?”He chuckled. “Maybe a bit. Can I ask you something, though?”“Of course. I mean, you have to spit it out soon because I only have one more minute, but—”“Do you love him?”The question didn’t catch me as off-guard as I figured it would. In fact, it was easy to answer. I bit down onto the inside of my cheek as I turned to face Michael. And with a nod of my head, I answered his question.“Yeah. I really thi
And I decided she would be. If she knew what was happening right now, she’d be proud. Possibly screaming at me like Cecilia currently was. But she’d be proud after the fact.Not today, Dad. You’re done with this shit today.The only thing I processed was the smell of alcohol. The only thing I felt was my father’s storm unleashing against me. He held so much anger within him. He had such fury in his fists. The only thing I saw were his angry eyes coming at me as I shoved him in his chest, listening as Cecilia screamed in the background.“Stop it! I’m calling the police if you don’t cut it out right now!”Her voice faded away. Fell into the background as I moved and ducked my father. Whatever this storm brewed from, I wasn’t going to be my father’s punching bag any longer. If he wanted a fight, a fight is what he’d get. And I’d make sure to repay him for every fist that ever connected with my face. I’d repay him for every bruise he ever wrung around my neck. I’d repay him for every knee
Because I knew this meant taking another step for Clint and me.A step I felt we’d both been ready for.“You want to rehearse?”I peeked over at Michael. “What?”He snickered. “Rehearse. You know, what you’re going to say to him tonight.”I shrugged. “Nah. I’m good. I usually wing it with stuff like this.”“You’re going to wing it when it comes to telling Clint how you feel for the very first time>”“I mean, I usually wing it with my English speeches and I do just fine with those.”He paused. “You didn’t plan out that speech you gave last year?”I shook my head. “Nope.”“That massive speech you gave on 1984 sort of applying today.”“Are you not hearing me right? Clean out your ears, Michael.”He chuckled. “Holy shit, you’re amazing. You know that?”I smiled. “And I hope that’s one of Clint’s many reactions tonight.”“If it isn’t, I’ll kick his ass for you.”“Michael!”“What? Come on, Rae. I see how happy he makes you. I see how much this boy means to you. And if he doesn't love you o
The alluring aroma of cinnamon swirls around the air, illuminating the hint of pencil-on-paper as I finish my latest project.I looked up from my computer, that was hot from the many hours I was working on it, to only see my college friend and boss Ximena Vasilios standing in the doorway of my office. She shook her head lightly as she walked over towards me.She was the definition of beauty and brains. With long tanned legs, shiny blonde hair, and light green eyes, she got tons of requests from modeling agencies when we were in college and even after we graduated.They stopped sending her requests when they noticed that she was totally not interested in becoming a model, instead she chose the path of business."Is that cinnamon roll?" I asked, pointing at the brown paper bag that she was holding.The smell of cinnamon was so strong that there's no doubt that it wasn't a cinnamon roll."Dammit, how did you know?" she asked defeated, handing me the brown paper bag and cup with coffee."
"What!" Ximena and I exclaimed at the same time, our eyes turning big that they almost fell out of our sockets.Flynn didn't hear us anymore, because right after he told us the truth he walked out of my office."Oh Shit!" Ximena cursed, as she also stormed out of my office, going after her brother."Flynn!" I heard her yell from outside.………..After I graduated from college I was supposed to go back to Barcelona, but things turned out differently. Ximena took over her mother's business.YouNique Cosmetics.They were in desperate need of a copywriter and Ximena practically begged me to fill in that position temporarily. As time passed by, I enjoyed being a copywriter for YouNique cosmetics. It was also a well-paid job with a lot of benefits.So after my time to work there passed by, Ximena gave me two options. Working for YouNique cosmetics permanently or signing the resignation letter and go back to Barcelona.I chose for the first one, because I wanted to give Milan and my aunt a goo
When it was lunch time for Ximena, I decided to pay her a visit and apologize for whatever I did to her. I have no clue what I did or say wrong, but it is better I apologize. Usually I don't apologize to girls, but she's my sister and I might need her help somewhere in the near future.I parked my Bugatti Veyron next to Ximena's white Bentley and walked inside the building. In my right hand I had the keys of my car around my index finger and in my left hand I carried a bag with ten pieces of omakase from Ximena's favorite sushi place in New York, Sushi yasuda."Good morning Mr. Vasilios." Claire chirped as I walked passed her, ignoring her whole presence. I didn't exactly like Claire, because of the last time when she basically threw herself at me. Aside from that, she looks scary. Who the hell wears red bright lipstick with blue eyeshadow to work? I'm surprised that Ximena didn't fire her yet, but then again my sister is way too nice.I walked into Ximena's office without knocking an