If Only (18+)

Chapter 12

Hello, beautiful people! We've reached a new milestone: 500+ reads!😍🥳 Thank you so much, everyone, I am truly grateful☺️🙏🏼❤️ So, in honor of the amazing milestone, I decided to grant y'all with another chapter!😊😁 

^pls ignore that, it was from when I originally posted this chapter, lol.

Happy reading, darlings!♡

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Sighing, I set my school bag down on the kitchen floor after the school bus ride home.

Instantly, I heard footsteps run down the stairs, then came face to face with my brother, Trenton.

"Oh, it's just you," He huffed out a sigh of relief.

"Well hello to you, too," I muttered under my breath, earning an eye roll in return.

"Don't take it to the heart, kid. By the way, we might have to move soon." Trenton said in a casual tone, and I froze up.

"Why do we have to move?" I asked nervously.

This can't be good.

"Dad is getting out of jail soon and the house looks like shit." He explained frantically, pacing throughout the kitchen.

My heart stopped and immediately I felt the color drain from my face. 

My Dad would be released from jail every now and then for good behavior, but he always went back for starting a brawl with my brother and his friends. During those times, I always left the house and walked around the neighborhood. Being away from my reality gave me hope that there was a better world out there, waiting for me.

"How are we supposed to get this place clean enough for his liking? We don't even know the exact date of when he's getting out. Maybe I should skip a few days of school to help out, but then I'll be behind in all of my classes..." I ranted, trailing off.

Trenton grabbed my shoulders and I looked up into his ocean blue eyes. 

Wow, I thought, this has been the clearest they've ever been in a while.

"Stop worrying, Valerie. We're going to work this out, so don't overthink about it, okay?" He reassured me, and I grinned at him, nodding my head.

Without thinking, I pulled him into a hug, giving him a gentle squeeze.

"What's this for, kid?" He asked curiously.

"Oh, nothing." I sighed.

I couldn't help but feel so relieved that I might actually start to get my brother back from his two best friends; alcohol and drugs. 

~~~

It was the next morning, and I couldn't focus on anything but when my Dad would be released from jail. As I walked to my first period, I thought back to the conversation I had with Dylan, after I heard the news about my Dad.

"Hey, you seem a little off, are you alright?" Dylan asked me, his chocolate brown eyes shining with concern.

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just staring off into space, I guess." I sighed half-heartedly.

"Yeah, right..." He trailed off unconvincingly, but nonetheless, dropped the matter.