Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

chapter 119 & 120 This Is Where It Ends/ It Will Be Alright

*James*

"I've never met a more pathetic kid in my life." My father hisses. I taste the metallic flavor of blood. It's becoming a flavor I taste often. Split lips are happening more frequently now that I'm older.

"If you're not gonna put the effort in, quit and get a job, for chrissakes."

"Dad, it was a B+. He worked hard for that grade!" Ashley tries to stick up for me but I glare at her, shaking my head.

"Ash, GO!" I yell at my older sister. You would think she'd know by now but all my sisters try to stick up for me. Even when I'm sixteen. It never ends well. Everyone gets hurt. I rather Joe just keep his attention on me and not move on to my sisters too.

My father rips up my report card.

******

"Fuck." I sit up in bed, realizing I'm breathing heavy crying and it was one of my night terrors.

 I was so proud of earning that B+ in Math. I stayed afterschool with Mr. Farlem every single day for a full month trying to get my grade up. Math just isn't my subject. I struggled with all subjects, but Math was the worst. 

I thought my father would be proud of me that day.

I was so wrong.

"Fuck!" I cry hard now, shoving my palms into my eyes thinking about that awful memory. I take a few deep breaths and turn to make sure I didn't wake Julia up. But once I'm fully awake I realize the small lamp on the nightstand is on. Julia is not in bed.

I glance up. Nate is here. Holding sleeping Julia in his arms while he sits on the chair by the window. 

"Nate??"

Nate nods and points to Julia. I squint my eyes and notice Nate's puffy red eyes. He's been crying. Crying hard.

"What's going on?" I move over to the edge of the bed so I'm sitting across from him. He's a mess. Moreso than I am right now.

"Can you take her? Take her from me. Please. Or I won't let go."  Nate's voice and he bursts into tears. I've never seen him like this before. Not this bad, at least. I nod and quickly get out of bed, curling my arms so Nate can roll sleeping Julia into them. I put her in bed and struggle with the sheet and blanket but manage to tuck her in before I sit back down and give Nate my full attention

"Did she have a nightmare?" I ask.

"No, but you certainly did, huh?"

I swallow hard and try to forget that awful dream. "Right. You saw that. Childhood memories and all."

I say nothing more. I don't need to tell Nate about my nightmares. I need Nate to tell me why Julia fell asleep crying in his arms. And why he is crying now.

"It's over."  He croaks out.

"What the fuck did you do? Did you and Mila already-"

"No." Nate snaps. "Julia chose him. He can give her what I can't." My voice cracks.

"Him? Him WHO??"