Sleeping with a Bully

II. At Peace

I leaned against the wall, a bottle of beer in hand. Scanning the crowd, I let out a controlled sigh and lifted the bottle to my lips. I took a long pull. The bitter taste made me grimace and I licked my lips, frowning at it intently. I never liked drinking this kind of crap. But I hoped it would help pull me out of my somber mood and help me forget even just for a short while that my life was fucked up.

That my own mother hated me.

That my brother took amusement in my miserable plight.

That my Dad was too busy to notice everything that was going on in my life.

He may be a kind father but business always came first, Haru and our mother second and me, last.

The acute pain on the hip I landed on earlier began to pulsate. I shifted my weight to ease it. It was becoming an irritant and it made my disposition sour even more. The throbbing on my cheek, though, was gone. But the damage it caused inside my soul still lingered. Makeup may have covered the ugly bruise but I could still picture it there and it was making my mind a riot of emotions.

With another sigh, I finished my drink in one long swallow.

"Want another one?"

I slid my gaze to my right to see Iris, a part-time maid of ours and a close friend, staring at me. She slid her glasses up her nose and tilted her head to the side as she waited for an answer. I pursed my lips.

Angry at my mother and Haru for coming back, angry at myself for still being the pathetic little girl I was years ago, I decided to get out of the house. I didn't know where I was going and I didn't care. I just needed out. Knowing my mother was inside, I didn't want to stay, trembling with cowardly fear at the thought of her finding me alone again. Having caught me sneaking out of the house while she was leaving for home, Iris took one good look at my face and decided to bring me along to a party. She didn't ask, she just knew.

She always knew.

Iris was petite, with short, curly brown hair and brown eyes. She was quiet, unobtrusive, and had the ability to come into a room and leave without notice, a perfect household help. To say I was surprised when I discovered she went to parties when I thought all she did after leaving my house was study and take care of her siblings was an understatement.

"No, thanks," I finally answered. Glancing at the bottle in her hand, I went on, "I didn't know you liked going to these kinds of parties, Iris."

"Drunk girls are fun to watch," she answered with a shrug. "Actually, you look like you need some form of entertainment, young miss. You've been scowling all night."

"I'm not scowling," I muttered.

She scoffed. "Yes, you are. Look, miss. You can't just stand here and continue to wallow in self-pity. I brought you here for a reason. To forget your problems and enjoy. Alcohol and a smorgasbord of hot guys, they can help you do both of those things."

I wrinkled my nose at her. Whenever I was with her I could relax and shed the armor I always wore. "Must you be so crude, Iris?" And don't call me young miss. We're not at home."

"But you are my young miss," she replied with a cheeky grin. Then her grin died and she continued in a serious tone, "Well, until I leave for college tomorrow anyway."

The reminder blackened my mood even further.

"I'll miss you." Iris bumped my side gently. "You take care of yourself, you hear?"

I gave her a smile. "I'll probably miss you more. You also take care of yourself there, Iris."

She smirked. "I went to West Public High, miss. It's the most notorious delinquent school in the city, remember? If I can take care of myself there, I definitely can take care of myself in college."