01

Royce's P.O.V

I spit the blood from my mouth and wiped my now bruised lip. I smiled at Xavier and returned the punch soon after, causing my fist to collide with the side of his fat cheek.

He layed on the floor knocked out cold and I inspected my knuckles to see how they turned a dark red and purple color.

"I suggest next time you think twice before trying to even touch me." I spit in Xavier's face then wiped my bloody hand on his white shirt.

I walked out of the abandoned house and started to walk to a local bar. I really needed a drink after all this.

I rub my hand and gently touch my bruised lip. I curse under my breath once my phone started to ring.

I take it out of my pocket and see my dad's phone number flashing.

A part of me wants to ignore it but then again I really don't want a lecture for it when I get home.

"What do you want?" I question irritated through the phone and continued to walk to the bar that was now only a few steps away from me.

"Royce, where the hell are you? I told you to be home two hours ago!." my father yelled, causing me to take the cellphone off my ear.

"I told you I had to meet a friend." I lied and stood outside the empty bar.

I looked inside and smiled when I saw Frankie working today. He'll let me drink without caring about my age unlike the other bartenders.

"Don't you dare take me as a fool, Royce. Get back here before I go and pick you up! Your moth-"

"Don't even think about calling that woman my mother. You know I want nothing to do with her." I interrupted my dad before he could finish his sentence.

I heard him deeply sigh from the other line causing me to just hang up.

I entered the quiet bar and sat down in the front where Frankie was serving. I sat down on the stool and rubbed my face a couple of times in frustration.

"What's wrong with you?" I heard Frankie's deep voice question.

I looked up at him and shrugged. "Just tired." I lied and was then handed a shot of whiskey.

"Thanks." I mumbled and drank the alcohol in one swallow. It burned my throat but it made me feel better.

"You should cover your busted lip or else your dad is going to come interegate me again." Frankie chuckled.

I touched my swollen lip and ran my tongue over it. "I can care less what he thinks." I reply.

"Well, I can see you're in a bad mood so I'm only letting you have one more." Frankie told me seriously before pouring the clear liquid into my glass cup.

I quickly drank it and thanked him before I left. I walked to my house and was not surprised to see the annoying brat on the couch.

I walked into the kitchen and saw that there was a plate of food for me. My dad knew I hated the whole cliche 'family dinner time' idea so I always avoided it.

I headed for the fridge and saw a sticky note.

'Royce, since you love to hang up on me there is no point in calling you. So I'm leaving this note to tell you that Pablo went camping with friends and Chris will be staying with you for a couple of days. I on the other hand went to visit your aunt Vicky with Angela so we will be gone for awhile.'

I threw the note in the trash and grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. I left the kitchen and glared at the sleeping boy on the couch.

He was suppose to be my 'new brother' but all he was to me was another pain in the ass. His presence alone bothered me.

I headed upstairs then stopped when I glanced at the front door. If I fell asleep and somebody decided to break in, I would be the one to get in trouble if something happened to sleeping beauty on the couch.

So I walked back to the door and locked it before going back upstairs.

I closed my door and decided to shower before I went to sleep. I scrubbed the dirt from my hair and skin with so much force it felt like I was scratching off my own skin.

Sometimes I just felt really dirty.

Once I was clean, I put on some new Calvin Klein boxer briefs and got into bed. I layed still for awhile and enjoyed how quiet the house was.

I rolled on to my side and closed my tired eyes to finally get some sleep. When I was almost in a deep slumber a sudden echo of lighting erupted through the empty house.

A smile quickly made its way to my face at hearing heavy raindrops hit the ceiling. This was what I liked about having a room upstairs. I could hear the rain better.

I got comfortable again and was about to close my eyes until I heard a small knock on my door. For a moment I thought it was a ghost until I remembered the annoying brat was also here.

"What do you want!" I yelled in annoyance and tugged my soft blankets closer to my face.

I heard Chris mumble something behind the door causing me to just ignore him. Another bolt of lighting sounded through the house making me smile again.

But my smile soon faded when I heard a whimper from the door.

Don't tell me the stupid brat is scared of thunder. That is just embarrassing.

I laughed to myself and turned the other way to ignore Chris's voice. I closed my eyes as another loud crack sounded and I was caught off guard when I suddenly felt arms around me.

I quickly turned around and saw my door wide open with a trembling boy attached to my torso. "Let go of me! What did I tell you about touching me?!" I yelled and tried to get Chris off of me.

"P-Please let me s-sleep with you!" he begged and hid his face in my chest once the loud thunder continued outside.

I looked down at him and I knew I was going to hate myself for this in the morning but I felt sympathy for the kid.