6. Six Hours Away From Hell

if I could choose whom to love, I'd never choose you. I never knew how much of a permanent scar you'd be on my heart.

Nova

"We're gonna miss you so much baby," My dad said with his arm around my shoulder in a side hug. While I stood awkwardly as he pretended to care. But we both know his main focus is on the phone in his hand.

I sighed defeatedly and walked past both parents who were completely unaware of me because they were talking about their next so call business deal. I made my way to my room and picked up the last of my belongings that I would be needing.

I walk down with my things in hand, not giving a single glance back to my room.

It was merely accommodation for my temporary stay in this house. It was never a home.

I get to where my parents are standing "Mom, Dad. I'm all set to leave"

"Yeah, safe trip honey" my mum dismissed with a wave of her hand without even glancing at me.

I know it's routine, but that still hurt.

I walk out of the door and suck in my breath before exhaling loudly as I make my way to my car, which is currently filled to the brim with all my luggage.

As I sit in my car with my hands on the wheel, that's when it dawned on me. I'm leaving. This town, my parents everything. I'm going to college.

I smile to myself and put the key in the ignition and I drive.

As much as five hours may seem, I wished desperately that it could be an ocean separating me and the shithole I just left.

I had nothing there. There was absolutely nothing left there for me. Just a house with parents who never cared to see me as much as they loved working.

If I remember clearly the last time my parents and I sat together to have dinner like a family was when we all found out about Chance leaving for college.

And since then, all they care about is their job.

I need this. I need this distance from them, I need it desperately. Because I know that for me to move on, I've got to realize that they don't care about me and I don't think they ever will.

And I'm tired of thinking that one day they'll finally notice me and acknowledge their child, It's never gonna happen.

With my eyes focused on the road, my attention is shifted from my rapid thoughts of the family when my phone rings notifying me of my message.

I ignore it. And conclude that it's either a social media notification that I can check once I'm settled in.

I glance at the small clock on my dashboard and I realize I've only been driving for an hour. It felt like three!

I let out a loud sigh suddenly regretting my decision to drive for s hours.

What was I thinking?

I check my gas and make a mental note to stop and refill and get a lot of snacks. If I'm going to punish myself for five hours, might as well make it a fun-filled one.

As I drive into the gas station and park my car, I notice a man and an extremely young woman. They seemed to be caught up in a heated argument. I look around before I check my gas once again. Just in case I decide to get the hell out of there.

I get down from the car and I see the cashier from the store sitting at an angle where he can see everything going on between the two people.

Okay Nova, just fill your car and leave. I chant silently to myself. I'm about to get in my car when I see the man grab her wrist tightly as she tries to yank her hand away. I watch the altercation silently from my position before deciding that I need to get involved.

"Fuck it!" I mutter as I close my door and start walking closer to them. "Excuse me?" I smile at the lady before turning to the man "But I don't think she appreciates the way you're holding her hand. No one appreciates being grabbed like that" I smile trying to ease the tension

"Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do, eh?" He sneers and lets go of her hand in the process

"I'm not looking for any trouble. I just know that if she wants you to hold her hand she wouldn't struggle" I turn to the lady "Are you okay, miss?"

"I am fine thank you" she steps behind me, away from his view

The man scoffs and runs his hand across his face "Fucking bitch! Coming over here to tell me what to do? He walks closer to me "Or maybe you'd like me to hold your hand, huh?" His tone goes low as he whispers the last part to me

"Step back, please"

He gives me an eery grin "What is it? Huh? I can stand wherever I want, can't I?

I step back a little and turn to the lady "Do you need a ride?"

Her eyes widen "Y-yes please"

I ignore the weird man, who is drunk or high, I don't know "Let's go" I turn to her.

I feel a hand grab my arm "Don't walk away when I'm talking you bi-"

I grab his hand forward by surprise, with every strength I could muster. Causing him to lunge forward in an unbalanced state before pounding on his back with my fist and introducing my knee to his stomach when he gets up in pain.

"I told you before. No one appreciates being grabbed roughly"

I motion to my car and we both get in before driving off I realize I never got my snacks.

I'm Nova by the way. Are you hurt?"

"No. Thank you very much for what you did back there. I appreciate it."

It's nothing. Everyone just gotta stand up for each other, especially stupid men who think they own the world and everything in it.

"Yeah. I'm Meredith, but you can call me Mer" she smiled at me and I did the same

"Nice meeting you Mer"

"Where did you learn to do that? I mean the thing you did to him back there.

"Oh." I shake my head once I realise what she meant "To be very honest I don't know. I guess being a punching bag to my older brother and survival skills just kicked in, I guess" I shrugged as I finished explaining

"It was very impressive" she smiled proudly at me

"Thank you" I smile and focus on the road as I listen to Mer tell me how I can get snacks at her stop.