His Heart's Desire

7

"Soccer tryouts were today." He says focused on the ball.

"How'd they go?" I say kicking it back to him.

"They said due to budget cuts they are putting the girls with us again." He tells me.

"So what? They did that last year too. It's nothing new Logan." I say.

He shrugs and I watch as his cheeks turn bright red.

When the ball comes back to me I don't kick it back.

"Don't tell me..." I say trying to hide my smile.

He looks embarrassed and stares at his shoes.

"You like one of them don't you." I laugh and walk up to him messing up his hair as per usual.

"Stop Nick it's not funny!" He says trying to push me away.

"You're right it's not funny... It's adorable."

"Nick," Logan says frowning.

"Okay, okay. What's her name anyways." I say sitting on the curb and patting the spot next to me.

The small boy sits beside me.

"Sophie." He smiles.

I look at him. "You want to woo the girl or what?" I say when he doesn't speak but stares at the rocks on the road.

He doesn't look at me but shrugs. "I don't know how. Besides she's dating Ethan." He says sadly.

"Dating? You're fucking 7." I state bewildered.

"Don't say the f word Nick I told you that already." He sighs leaning his chin on his palm.

"Sorry forgot," I say.

"Look Logan to woo a girl you need to... I don't know. You need to compliment them. Or give them things." I inform and his face lights up.

"Nick you're a genius!" Logan exclaims.

"I mean I prefer the term mastermind but I guess-" I start but Logan stops me.

"I should give her my tooth!" He says excitedly and my face falls.

"Your tooth??" I say bewildered.

"Yeah. She can put my tooth under her pillow and get money! Everyone loves money right?" He says.

"Look Logan-" I try again.

"I could always take some money from mommy's bag?"

"No! Logan, you can't just give a girl your tooth."

"Why not?"

"Well, a girl isn't gonna fall for you by receiving teeth. You need to give her things. Shit like flowers and crap."

"Flowers and crap?" He glares at me and I put my hands up in surrender.

"Hey, I don't make the rules."

"Good point." He nods.

"And Logan?" I mumble.

"Yeah, Nicky?" He responds as we watch cars drive by.

"Ethan is an asshole for stealing your girl." I encourage.

"Thanks." He leans his head on my shoulder and it takes everything in me not to shove him off. Look, I like the kid but I'm not good when it comes to affection considering I've never received it before.

I pat his head awkwardly.

"Logan! Get in here right now!" Logan's demon mother screams on their front porch.

"Sorry, you know how she is." Logan apologizes and runs to his mother when I give him a small push on his back.

"Evening Ms. Larsen!" I wave to her but she only rolls her eyes and walks back into their nice home.

"Nice to see you too," I mumble as I walk towards the tree to my room.

~~

The sun has set a long time ago and I still haven't gotten Alice off my mind.

I stare up at my popcorn ceiling wishing she was beside me.

Ok, I don't want her beside me.

I groan and stuff my face into my pillow that's adorning a very ripped and ruined pillowcase. Bills can't pay themselves so pillowcases are my last priority.

My eyes open as I see headlights illuminate my room for a few seconds.

I pull my blinds back and look out my window.

"Fuck." I curse as my father's rusty old truck pulls into the driveway.

His fat ass steps out in his stained wife beater and dirty khaki shorts.

He looks pissed.

I hold my breath as the front door slams open and I can hear the crash from my room.

"Shit!" I bark out. He usually comes home tomorrow. Not today.

I begin to shove my backpack and everything special I owned and hide from my parents under my bed and in the closet.

I've saved up over 11,000 dollars from work and if my parents found it they'd strip me clean of every cent.

I pull my jeans on over my boxers knowing I'm going to have to leave tonight anyway.

"Nicholas!" My dad hollers and panic sets in.

Just as I close my closet door he kicks my door open.

He grabs my collar and shoved me up against the closet door.

"Your mother told me you drank my scotch is that true?" He says calmly.

"She drank it. It wasn't me-" I start but he pulls his fist back and hits me hard in the jaw. I hear a defeating crack as pain seizes me.

"Get the fuck off me!" I growl out trying to push him off.

"Don't speak to me that way. You callin' your bitch mother a liar boy?" He spits in my face.

"I didn't drink it!" I yell shoving him off me.

"You're a liar! You're worthless! I didn't raise no worthless liar!" He screams getting up close to me again.

He grabs my neck knowing I was caught off guard.

His grip gets tighter and I start to lose feeling in my arms as I try to punch his face.

My skin feels hot and I start to see spots.

Fuck you.

I think towards my dad before he drops my unconscious body to the cold floor.