Pressure

[6] Nathan

You’re,

Feet,

On,

Snow.

That’s all you can concentrate on,

As you run towards the high school.

Mom,

Is devastated.

Mark,

Doesn’t understand.

There was no use trying to pry the bottle.

Out,

Of,

Her,

Hands.

Instead,

You put Mark to bed,

And started running.

You couldn’t do this to Jocelyn.

You couldn’t be like Jake.

The truth is,

You really like her.

You see what others don’t.

You see a girl,

Trying to fit in,

Because that’s what high school is all about.

Trying to be accepted,

Because she thinks that’s all that matters.

Trying to be happy,

Because everyone deserves that.

When you reach the school,

The parking lot is empty.

You,

Missed,

The,

Dance.

The one night you could have shared with Jocelyn,

You ruined.

She probably hates you,

Despises you,

Loathes you.

You could tell her the truth,

But would she still like you?

Do you want to tell her,

About your drunk mother?

About you being taken from her?

About being poor?

Nathan!

Her voice is shocked,

As she moves out of the shadows towards you.

You came.

You give a sad smile,

And gently touch her face.

What happened?

You tell her it’s nothing,

And that you’re sorry for missing the dance.

But it isn’t enough.

Tell me,

She stares into your eyes,

Sick of you hiding your life.

I don’t want you to be a mystery anymore.

I want to know you, Nathan.

Not just parts of you.

Can you really share,

Your family’s problems?

She has enough to worry about,

And you would be dragging her into your life.

If she knew,

She wouldn’t want that.

Besides,

The news begins to sink in.

Your worst fears,

Are confirmed.

Your Mom didn’t even ask about the bruises,

And now you’re being taken away,

As,

Soon,

As,

Possible.

But if you could provide for your Mom;

For Mark,

You could still stay.

You could fix everything,

But that would mean giving up,

The,

Girl,

Of,

You’re,

Dreams.

Family is more important,

But so is happiness.

You can’t have both.

So what do you choose?

Jocelyn,

Or your family?

A gorgeous,

Broken,

Girl.

Or a broken,

Starving,

Family?

You tell Jocelyn you can’t tell her.

Nathan,

Please.

She reaches towards you,

But you back away.

You tell her you have more important things to worry about,

As you turn and head towards home.

Please don’t leave me!

She cries,

And you want to turn around.

You’re the only one I have!

Now she has no one.