CHAPTER 30: Alcohol is always a fucking ethical bribe

I couldn't wait for classes to end so I could run off to the field for practice and release all my pent up anger there. Might as well kick some balls.

Double meaning this time? Absolutely fucking yes.

Ever since I practically dissed the shit out of Caleb, the glares he's been throwing around me were so noticeable that even teachers were beginning to ask whether we had a 'couples' fight'.

Ugh. Who would explain to them what a jerk he's been?

Something crawls in my chest as I reminisce how we both fought on the lakeside but I push it off, shaking my head as I try to focus on the poem we are currently working on in Literature class. As you can guess, Caleb didn't just attend class. He's probably busy with his bitch girlfriend who's made it her mission to ruin my existence. Or, he's just ignoring me after my stupid rant about not seeing him anymore.

A loud ring lifts the dread off my chest and I quickly wobble out of the class, pushing everyone out of the way and ignoring Ms. Grey's calling. Striding fast, I make it to the locker room in time for soccer practice. After putting on my jersey and cleats, I saunter out as if I'm not boiling with anger from within.

It was hot, you could say. The blue skies and the exceedingly green grass with the crisp white lines calm me a little as I think of making the most out of this day. I would forget all about everything that's been happening for the past few days and focus on my passion and maybe sweat like a fucking pig.

"Gather up!" Coach calls and everyone comes together, surrounding him. I walk slowly so that I would get to stand behind the crowd since I know the "star players" of the team will be standing next to the coach. That included the JERK.

"Before we break for practice, I need to remind you of the upcoming game with Silver Crown high school next week so you technically only have 4 days to prepare. It's the first game of the season and I still want us to win it. Most of us have already faced Silver Crown boys last year," His eyes fall on me as he speaks and I frown and look down, "and you know their strategies and skills. So, let's practice hard, yeah?" The boys holler and bump their fists before moving apart and dividing themselves into two teams.

"Summer?"

God, no.

"Yeah?" I muster my sweetest voice and cringe internally, already hating the lecture-look coach is giving me.

"This is your first game as you know. Being the first-ever girl to be recruited in a boys' soccer team is not something that people expect high school girls to do. These boys play rough. Nothing like you've ever seen. I want you to be careful but if you don't want to...I mean...you could skip the game..."

I glare at him and speak up, "Coach, I joined this team because I love playing soccer. You selected me in this team because you know I'm good. A group of bulky, rough boys isn't gonna shoo me away for your information. I can and will absolutely play this game. With a blast."

With that, I march toward a random team and start running. Why the fuck does everyone underestimate me so much nowadays? Do I look weak enough to not handle myself? I've lived independently for a while now and I'm not going to let anyone or anything hold me down. I grunt and kick the approaching soccer ball, hitting the back of the net successfully. I ignore some of the boys' cheering and focus on the ball I'm dribbling.

The coach had no right to tell me I should skip the game just because I'm a fucking girl. Caleb had no right to tell me I do things the way he says. Veronica had no right to tell me I'm weak. I'm not listening to any shit head who tells me what to do. I spot a pair of cleats running my way and I grunt and push off the person before running with the ball once again.

"Hey, Jones! Save that energy for the game, will ya?" I stop in my tracks and turn around to see Coach standing next to Caleb who is dusting his knees and holds a penetrating glare on his damn handsome face.

"Why don't you take a break on the bench?"

I frown and kick the ball in the opposite direction, "I'm done for the day." Concluding with that, I walk out the field and don't even bother changing out of my sweaty clothes. Luckily, Jason surprisingly missed practice so at least he won't pepper my already pissed head with futile questions.

I begin my run toward home which is quite short actually and I wonder why. Could be the fact that I was running fast and furiously (no pun intended) and there was nothing on the way like a beautiful sunset stopping me. Upon reaching the 3rd floor, where my apartment is, I heave and pant with exhaust and lean on the wall next to my door. I close my eyes, frustrated at everything that's making me act this way. Before I start mentioning names, I decide to get in. Shock fills me as I notice the door is slightly ajar.

Has my time of a typical serial-killer style murder arrived already?

I know for a fact that Draven couldn't be here since...well, he's basically never there. Aaron is at practice and Jason is most probably out with his friends or for some other work.

It has to be a damn robber.

Just don't touch my precious wine bottles.

Although to save myself and my belongings, I could possibly offer the robber some wine.

Alcohol is always a fucking ethical bribe. According to me.

I shake my head at my idiotic thoughts and let the cautious side of my mind take over. I slowly push the door, careful enough to not let it creak, and get in on my tiptoes. Two voices immediately surround my ears and it's pretty clear that it is Jason and Draven arguing about something. I tread toward Jason and Aaron's room and lean my back against the wall next to it.

"I fucking told you it won't work. It can't possibly pay for the entire rent! It's a shitload of money, Jason."

"And that's where I come in, Draven. I can easily do a part-time job."

"No! You're not messing up with your final year just when you're about to graduate in a few fucking months."

"Handling all this is much more important right now, Drave. Look, we are old and we need to handle this carefully. I can't even imagine studying knowing that you had to drop out just so that your job can pay all our expenses."

What the fuck is this about? Job, college, expenses...what?

"It is fucking important, Jason. I don't care if you're older than me. I will have my way. I will drop out of school and take up my full-time job which will help pay for everything. None of you three are ever jeopardizing your fucking education for this, okay?" I take a few steps back as I hear a chair screeching and footsteps approaching.

"And what about your education, Drave?" I hear Jason's meek voice and it breaks my heart that these two brothers are ready to fuck up their life just in order to pay for finances. I back up slowly, my mind in a whirlwind, and their voices are somehow drowned out amongst all the voices I currently occupy in my mind.

Jason wants to take up a job and risk dropping his grades in his final year. Draven wants to just drop out of high school and earn.

All for us.

I get to my room and shut the door. The blunt and blurry memories of dad rush to my mind in several flashbacks for an unknown reason. Even without that woman, we were a great and happy family. Up until he left us. I slide down the door and shed a few tears at the happy memories of soccer, outings and just general gatherings.

If dad was here, he would have set everything right.

Stay strong, my princess.

How am I supposed to stay strong when you're not here to support me, dad?

I will always be here with you.

I sigh, wiping my tears, and walk to my closet, opening it and taking out the photo frame I always hold close to my heart. Two pairs of shining bright blue eyes and three pairs of similar hazel eyes. All faces adorned with dazzling smiles. I caress my father's face and smile as I remember where Jason got the black bruise under his eye from. When dad told Jason to apologize to Draven for locking him in the bathroom early morning, in reference to typical sibling fights, Jason told off Draven. And we all reckon Draven's anger, hence the punch.

What a day it was.

Just the day dad wanted to have a family photo shoot.

Dad was always happy. He never at once even let me know that he was suffering and dying from inside. He was strong and I know he wanted us all to grow up to be as strong as him or even more.

I place the frame back in my closet and wipe all my tears. If Jason and Draven, both elder brothers, are taking such irrational decisions, it's fucking time for me to step in. I'm going to be strong and not let anyone in this house fall down. Dad's notions are all important to me and I will never ever let him down because I know somewhere somehow, he's watching over me, hoping for me to be stiff and strong.

I'm gonna get a fucking job.

***

LATE UPDATES, I KNOW!! Sorry about that...oops.

Currently loving how Summer just does things the way she feels like and doesn't care about anything or anyone. It's one thing reading about strong female characters and another to write them for real.

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