“OPEN THIS MOTHERFUCKING DOOR, YOU LITTLE BITCH!!”

The yelling that came from outside my door startled me. It was already past 2am and I was not able to sleep well waiting for him to arrive, waiting for him to do this, it was already part of our daily routine and I knew what would happen if I didn’t opened that door, although I also knew what would happen if I did.

There's absolutely no way out, it's a lose-lose situation; I took a deep breath before rolling out off my bed and reaching for the door knob to unlocked it.

I now; could only hope for the best…

Yeah, sure

He stormed into the room, like always, with a bottle of vodka in his hands.

Like always..., well not like always, sometimes it was whisky, others beer, and sometimes it was wine.

“WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE CLOSING THE DOOR SLUT!?” he yelled slapping me across the face.

I touched my cheek trying to soothe the pain, I didn’t expect it so soon, but it was. I shouldn’t be surprised about this anymore; but it does surprise me

Every! Fucking! Time!

After Adrian…yeah, the bastard has a name, grabbed my arms tightly and pinned me against a wall, trying to feel me up, I managed to punch him, I was not going to let him have his way with me, although I didn’t do it on purpose, I was just looking to make him back off. I knew how things could go so easily wrong.

And they did.

He busted my lip open using his fist, I knew it because I could feel the metallic taste in my mouth, this wasn’t anymore something new. After all he has done this for the past 3 years.

“NEXT TIME, YOU EVEN THINK ON LOCKING YOUR DOOR, I WON’T BE SO NICE TO YOU” he said grabbing my face firmly, licking the left side of it, before throwing me against the wall making me feel disgusted about it.

Nice?!, That was being nice?!

I stumbled my way back into bed, trying to make the blood from my lip stop with my t-shirt and just thinking…

When did everything went to hell!?

***

Next morning when I woke up I stumbled my way into the mirror that rested in my wall and I saw that my lower lip was swollen, my arms had several bruises from his grip, and in my cheek there was forming a small bruise.

“Shit!” I muttered when my fingers traced along it, although it wasn’t very visible, it hurt when I touched it

Thank God in my school there was no dress code, so I put a black tank top and a Pantera hoodie on top of it, some skinny black jeans and my usual black converse, I decided to let my blonde hair back down loose in soft waves, applying my usual makeup: Mascara and eyeliner; this time adding a little more base to cover the bruise on my cheek.

When I was finally satisfied with my look, I grabbed my backpack going downstairs, stooding up in the bottom of the stairs just to find out that my dad was long gone.

Something to be grateful...

Didn’t I mention it? Yeah, Adrian is my dad…

Yeah, my dad beats me.

Although it wasn’t always like this… There was a time, when I had a family. A loving mother and a caring father. We were happy... Were

Again...

When did everything went to hell!?

I left the house and started walking down to school, it wasn’t that far away so it was cool to walk.

“Are my eyes cheating me, or is that beautiful girl Gaby?” I heard a voice from behind me. I didn’t even turned around, I knew who it was.

“Hey, Brian” I greeted my spiky hair friend without stopping

“Hey, hey” he said breathless “Slow down, are you in a hurry or what?”

“I just wanna get to school” I kept my gaze away from his, I could not risk him seeing my bruise

“Oh, yeah” he said “Jimmy’s there. I get it”

I smiled at that comment, Jimmy is my best friend in the whole world, but it’s just that, my best friend.

“It’s not that, Bri” I said stopping and he stumbled with my back, making me cringe due to some bruises, that now I realized, I had on my back.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry Gaby” he said

I turned around and smiled softly at him “It’s okay, Bri” I said “C’mon, we’re already late”
Brian chuckled and followed me

We got to school and everyone was already in their classrooms. Brian and I started walking towards the back of school, to our usual spot. And all the guys were already there

“GABY!!” Jimmy, my friend with a ‘complex-tower’ thing, yelled in a high pitched voice running towards me and picking me up in his arms

“JIMMY!” I yelled in the same high pitched voice clinging into his body with all my strength, suddenly all the pain was gone.

Weird, huh?

“A kimono, Jimmy? Really?” I asked with a raised eyebrow seeing his oufit. A pink kimono with some weird pattern in orange, some white large socks and his crazy hair up like some kind of saiyan?

Never seen Dragon Ball? …Nevermind.

“What!?!” he asked in self-defense putting me down in the floor “I think it’s awesome!” he said proudly

“Yeah, it kinda is” I said looking at his outfit once more “It’s just so you…” I chuckled

He smirked

“I know right?” he asked like a gossip girl “So, how are you, sweetie?”

“I’m fine Jimbo” I said with a fake smile fixing my backpack over my shoulder

“Hey, Gabs” Zacky, my friend with two snakebites, said pulling me for a hug

“Gaby, I love that hoodie” Matt, my hulkish friend, said from his spot “It’s awesome!”

“I know, Matthew” I said mocking his name with both hands on my hips “Pantera… your favorite band” I smirked

“Hey!” he said hurt “One of them” he corrected smiling back.

“Yeah, yeah” I said dropping the backpack on the floor and sitting near Brian, not long after, Jimmy joined us and he had a puzzled look on his face

“Jimmy are you okay?” I asked resting my hand on his shoulder

“What?” he said “Oh, yeah, yeah, I’m fine, don’t worry your pretty little head” he then ruffled my hair, messing it.

“Where’s Johnny?” I asked returning my gaze to the other guys seeing that my short little friend wasn’t here

“Couldn’t get out before the teacher enter the classroom” Brian said

“Damn…” I said

“You always get save” Zacky said “Since you’re always late”

“I wouldn’t have been today, If Brian didn’t got me walking slowly” I said in defense

“Yeah, yeah” Brian said “Cause it was me the reason you were late, you and I both know you were having erotic dreams with Ji—”

I punched him in the stomach before he could say anything that would have probably cost him and me our lives; Him because I would kill him and me because I would probably ended up in prison for that.

Thank God, Jimmy didn't seem to notice Brian almost saying his name in the same sentence as 'Gaby' and 'erotic dreams'. Phew.

Next thing, Brian was in the floor holding his stomach in ‘pain’ and I laughed in disbelief.

“I didn’t hit you that hard, you fucking pussy” I said crossing both arms on my chest

“Yeah, you did” he said in a barely audible voice sitting against the wall holding his stomach. In pain.

Girl!

“Pussy” I said followed by a sigh

“SO…” Matt said interrupting us “What did you got us in here, Sullivan”

“Oh, c’mon you rather be listening to Mr. Cockroach?” Jimmy said mocking at Matt’s English teacher.

“No…” he said shivering at the thought of that "But what?; Did you just bring us here so we could hang out?"

“There is nothing wrong with that, you know” Jimmy said

"I know, but you did said you have some big news" Matt added

“I know. Anyways, what I was going to tell you all is that…” he teased

“C'MON, JIMMY!” Zacky yelled in anticipation "I DON'T HAVE THE WHOLE GODDAMM DAY!"

Jimmy smiled and turned around in my direction

“Okay, okay” he said “Chillax, but I think Gaby, should give the news”

I looked at him with a look of ‘What the hell are you talking about’, he winked at me and then I remembered

Oh... those news...

“Oh…” I said smiling wide “I thought YOU wanted to say them”

“Yeah, but you did it” he said grabbing my hand “So it’s kinda like your moment” he then kissed my cheek

“Okay, Okay” Zacky said “I get it; Did you guys bringed us here, so you could tell us you're finally hooking up?” he asked wiggling his eyebrows and I tried to keep it cool and not blush

Yeah, I failed...

Hey! I said I tried!

“No, dickhead” Jimmy said without losing the smile on his face “Gaby has some band news related to say to you guys”

“Okay, so last weekend I was in the park and I saw this HUGE duck!” I said randomly. Although true.

“Gaby…” The guys said in chorus

"I TOLD YOU, THERE WAS A FUCKING STALLION DUCK!" Jimmy yelled excited

"What does that had to do with the band?" Zacky asked facepalming him

"What?" I asked "I though we could use a new rythmn guitarist!"

"Not funny. dude" Zacky said "Not at all"

"I'm just messing with you, Z" I scoffed

"Spill it out, Phoenix" Brian said

“Fine! fine!...” I said pouting “Geez…You guys are no fun, but I swear it was huge, you know, the duck”

“GABY!!” They yelled together

“YOU ARE GOING TO WARPED TOUR!” I yelled in excitement waving my hands in the air like a maniac

“WHAT!?!” Matt and Brian yelled at the same time, Zacky didn’t say anything but his mouth hanging out wide was enough, and Jimmy… Although he already knew, he was still acting like... well... Jimmy.

“I said that I got you guys into Warped Tour” I said grinning like a physco.

"How!? When!?" Zacky slurred

"A guy from my chemistry class, a class that I barely pay attention to, was talking about how his brother was so angry because the band he had for Warped, backed down and now he needed another one, so I told him a knew a band, and they were pretty awesome, he then asked me who, and I said you guys, he said that he had listened to you guys in gigs before around the city and that he would talk to his brother" I started explaining "Anyways two days later, he told me you were in"

Before I could react Matt, Zacky and Brian were running towards me, but Jimmy stood in their way

“Don’t tackle the poor girl down” Jimmy said in front of me "Just say thanks and turn around"

I jumped into his back putting my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, he helped me by grabbing my legs so I wouldn’t fall.

"Thank you, Gaby!" the sang together

“It’s nothing, guys. You deserve it” I said resting my chin on Jimmy’s shoulder

They were beyond static; I think that if Jimmy wouldn’t have stood between them and me, I would be in the ground more sore than I’m already am thanks to their hugs.

But this would be a good pain.

“You are amazing” Jimmy whispered only for me to hear

“I know” I said in the same low tone “You made that clear when I told you about this”

“I just hugged you” he shrugged

“Hug me?!” I asked almost yelling “You almost killed me in your fucking bear hug and smother me with your lips!” I said scoffing

“Drama queen” he said

“Pedophile” I spat back

“Hey!” he protested “I’m only 4 months older than you!” he protested in an ‘I can’t believe you’ voice

“Yeah, and you’re 18 and I’m 17” I said “Pedophile”

Jimmy laughed and then Zacky spoke

“When do we leave?” Zacky asked

“In 5 months” I said showing 5 fingers to him

“I can count, Gabs” he said

“YEAH” Matt said “SURE”

“How many is 234 plus 78?” Brian asked him really fast

“Fuck you guys” Zacky said “That’s too much for this brain to think in such a short time!”

I got off from Jimmy’s back and I took a sit in the floor next to my backpack, they went on and on about how they couldn’t wait, and how they will tell Johnny about this, probably making something up to scare the shit out of him.

***

We took the whole day free and Johnny joined us after the first period, along with Michelle and Val. They told Johnny he was out of the band, before telling him they were going on Warped, Johnny, I swear almost shit his pants when he thought he was out.

Priceless.

After that we took it down to the beach and while everyone, and by everyone I mean Matt, Val, Chelle and Brian, were getting all lovey doveys; I was with Jimmy, who by the way was now wearing a black shirt and some shorts, Zacky and Johnny making sandcastles

“I’m sorry that Gena couldn’t make it” I said to Zacky without taking my eyes of the sandcastle

“Nah, It’s okay” Zack said “She had to go visit her grandparents, It’s ok”

“So…” I made eye contact with him “How are you guys?” I asked

“We’re fine…” he said “I guess…”

“How it’s that?” I asked stopping my work with the sand

“I don’t know” he shrugged “Things change, We changed... I guess”

“Aww, that’s so sad to hear, baby Baker” I said. Baby Baker was his nickname since I knew him and that
was 4 years ago. Since I moved in here.

I knew the guys for now 4 years, I had just moved in from Chicago with my mom and dad, and I started a new school, I came across Jimmy the first day and he was actually trying to scare me, but I’m a tough motherfucker. Instead of keep trying scaring me he introduced himself to me and then to his friends as the “crazy fucker who he couldn’t scare” after that basically Jimmy and I became inseparables. We when started highschool, we were in every class together and the few ones we weren’t together we skip them so we could trash around. I am friends. No, I am BEST friends with all of the guys, but for some reason Jimmy and I got along better, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I knew him first. Yeah, first as in 4 hours before the rest. Ha!

“Don’t call me, like that Gabs” he said

“Aw, but baby Baker, I had always called you that” I said pouting

“Emmh, well you’re right” he said “Okay, but you’re the only one who can do it”

I smirked in victory

"You haven't change you know that, right?" I said "You're the same sweet boy I met 4 years ago"

He chuckled and nodded

“But again, I’m sorry to hear that” I said

“Again” he said “It’s okay”

I gave him a smile, which he returned and Jimmy placed his arm around me, even though he always does that, I got a little tensed but then I relaxed and continued with my sandcastle.

“Argh! Fuck it” I said pouting “Sand hates me” I pushed the horrible attempt of a sandcastle and sat with my arms crossed on my chest.

“Come here” Jimmy said pulling me so my back was against his chest “Now, stop pouting” he caressed my cheek

“But Jimbo” I protested “Sand fucking hates me”

“Sand doesn’t hates you, Gabs” he said “You’re just really bad in this” he chuckled

I got up and started walking towards the beach, pretending I was mad, I really wasn’t but this was just our routine…

I sat more away from Johnny, Jimmy and Zacky and I stared at the beach, the waves crashing against the sand, The beautiful sunset that was in even though it was only 4:30pm, I pulled my legs to my chest and I stared as Brian and Chelle were cuddling against each other, while Matt and Val… ‘Where the fuck are they?’ I thought when I couldn’t spot them.

Neh, they’re probably fucking somewhere. Ha!

“Don’t be mad at me baby” Jimmy said kneeling in front of me “You know I was just kidding” he sat next to me, but I continued to ignoring him

“Gabs…”

I stood up without saying a word and I walk towards the beach and then I stop and turned around

“You want my forgiveness, Sullivan?” I asked and he nodded

“Then… join me?” I asked while I started removing my Pantera hoodie leaving me in the black tank top, I was far from him, so he couldn’t see my bruises.

“Gabs…” he said smirking “You are so gonna regret this”

I ran towards the water, trying to get away from Jimmy but he was fast. Goddamm it that time when he was on the track team. He grabbed me and put me over his shoulder

“No, Ji-Jimmy! S-stop!” I said between laughs

“Aw, c’mon” he said slapping my ass.

Yeah Jimmy and I are that close.

“Put me down, James!” I said

“Oh, she used the James” Zacky said not far from us with an amusement voice “This must the serious”

Jimmy shrugged with me still on his shoulders “I don’t care”

Next thing I know, I was on the water, I wasn’t ready so the salty water, so it wasn’t a surprise when the water get through my nose making me choke on a little.

“Oh God, Gabs” Jimmy said pulling me out “I’m sorry”

I didn’t say anything; I just drag him down in the water

“GABRIELLE!” he yelled after he emerged from the water

“Oh, now he used her full name” Johnny said “Shit just got serious”

“Oh... now, now James” I said smirking “You started this”

He smirked towards me but before he could grab me, Matt was already behind me grabbing me over his shoulder

“MATT!” I yelled 'Where the fuck did he came from?!' “NO!, JIMMY HELP ME”

Jimmy was nowhere near to be found and then Brian who was with Chelle made a ‘hold your breath’ sign. I just obeyed and gathered a lot of air in my mouth, making my cheeks look bigger, like a blowfish.

Ha, that’s funny blow— Forget it. Moving on.

Suddenly we were pulled into the water; I was holding my breath pretty well and when I came into the surface I felt some arms around my waist and a cold and wet chest against my back

“You’re welcome” Jimmy said while attempting to peck my cheek

I smiled and turn my head to the other side, avoiding his lips, but he still managed to give me a little peck. I turned around and he suddenly run his hand down my arm, and the waves of happiness were replace by waves of pain. He saw my reaction and turned his gaze to my arm and grabbed it softly exposing my bruised skin to him, the sun was still out so he could see them clearly.

“Wha-What—” he asked with concern in his voice, his face was screaming 'Explain. now!'

“Oh” I cut him off “It’s nothing, I… bumped against a wall” I shrugged "Not a big deal"

Jimmy looked at me trying to decipher if I was lying or if I was telling the true. But before he could say anything, Johnny called for me and I took the chance to swim away from this awkward moment.

Not long after me and Johnny took a place in the circle the guys had made in the water, Jimmy joined us, we were laughing, and having a great time, but Jimmy had his eyes over me, and a serious expression that frankly I had never seen before. He was worried; after all we were best friends for 4 years. He takes care of me like no one had done it before. They all did, They made me happy.

So, why I haven't told them about my 'home life'? Easy. I don't wanna lose them; I know, I know. I know it sounds stupid but I seriously don't know what 'my dad' is capable of, I mean c'mon, he beats his own daughter! and I just didn't wanted to drag them into my shitty life. They never knew about it just for the fact that I always wear hoodies. That, and I'm pretty good with makeup.

Besides I was just a few months away from my birthday and then I could be finally free, not had to see his face again. Jimmy and I had this plan that once I was 18th I would move with him, and even though I protested claiming that I didn't wanted to hear him fucking with girls, he said and I quote "I'll make it quickies"

Ew. Seriously Ew.

“Hey, guys” Jimmy said breaking my thoughts “I’m gonna took off, I have homework to do"

They all laughed. Hard.

"You?, Jimmy Sullivan?, are ditching a hangout so you can go home and do.." Matt said

"Homework?" Brian cut him off "Seriously?, You?"

"I know, I know" he said rubbing the back of his neck

"Look, Jimbo if you wanna ditch us so you can go fuck with Lea, it's O-K" I said scoffing

"I'm not ditching you!" he protested "...guys..."

"Nice save" Johnny said, Jimmy glared at him and then looked at me

"Are you coming or what?" he asked sighing

"To see you fuck Lea?" I asked with a cocked eyebrow "No, thanks. I'll pass"

"I'm not seeing Lea tonight" he sighed "Besides who's gonna give you a ride home?"

"Can any of you guys, take me home?" I asked towards my other friends and they shook their heads 'no'

"Val's place" Matt said

"Me too" Brian added

"I've to babysit my lil bro" Zacky said

"Zack's my ride, so I guess I'm babysitting too" Johnny chuckled

"Meanies!" I said "Ok, I guess it's cool, anyways"

We said our goodbyes, and I made my way towards the beach, I grabbed my hoodie and I zipped till my chest, I put my shoes on and started to walk with Jimmy, not so far behind me, to his car.

The ride was killing me; the silence… was killing me. Jimmy had not said a word since we left the beach and I knew he was overthinking about my bruise. If he kept like this he would figured out the whole thing.

He stopped the car right in front of the big yellow house, I wasn’t worried about the time, or the fact that Adrian, I decided to use his name because the word ‘dad’ lost his meaning a long time ago, anyways I wasn’t worried he could see Jimmy, I knew he would be out the whole week.

And no, he didn’t say it to me, he never did. I overhear a conversation on the phone. While I watched Looney Tunes.

God! how I love that show! 

“Gabs—” he said breaking my thoughts

“Look, you’re overthinking about the bruise” I cut him off “This is nothing, I just bumped into a wall the other night” I smiled weakly at him “There’s nothing else”

“I don’t believe you” he said staring at me

“Why?” I asked softly

“Because I know you” he took my hand in his and I stared at him, moments like this made my doubt if I should tell him or not the truth

“I’m fine, Jims” I said trying to soothe him “I’m completely fine”

Yeah, sure and I’m Reptar!

He sighed, letting go of my hand and I decided to kept my 'home life' to myself. After all it wasn’t worth it.

I stepped out of the car, before Jimmy could say another thing and started walking towards my house, but no long after 5 steps Jimmy’s arms were around my waist.

“I love you, Gabrielle” he whispered in my ear.

“I’m Gaby, Gabs for my friends” I chuckled and shifted myself so I could see him “Moron”

“I love your full name” he said smirking

I was going to tell him at least 50 reasons why my name was horrible, but his phone started buzzing and he pull it off, immediately cringing when he saw the screen.

“What?” I asked “Who is it?”

“Nothing” he said looking at me and shutting down the phone “No one”

“Leana?” I asked

He wrinkled his nose and pulled me into a hug, I took a deep breath of him, taking his scent in and he smelled to, well, Jimmy.

Yeah, I did. I just smelled my best friend

“Bye” he said pulling off from the hug

“Bye” I replied and I start walking over to my house

When I reached the door, I opened it, letting the darkness of the house filled me in.

I walked towards my room and throw myself into bed, letting sleep slowly take me over…

I’m a fucking cliché. I love my best friend and guess what? He has a fucking girlfriend. Great.

Notes

Hello, my dear fellow deathbats....