“I couldn’t care less about the cops!”
“Think about it.”
She flicks her tongue and gives the girl her middle finger before letting me take a hold of her hand and lead us up the second floor where hallways interlink and doors all resembling each other cross our path. A door swings open and a drunk couple, clearly having hooked up in there, stumbles out. We slip into the bedroom and close the door behind us.
My nostrils are assaulted by the damp scent of sex, and I grimace. “I should’ve picked another room.”
“Are you okay?” she asks, reaching for my cheek already red from the assault.
I push her hand away and sit down on the edge of the king-sized bed. “I’m fine. She didn’t hit me that hard.”
“Guys and their pride.”
“She called you a skank. This has nothing to do with my pride considering you stepped in first.”
Shrugging, she takes a seat next to me on the beige covers. “The Trump comparison though? Good one.”
“Right?” I wheeze, throwing my head back.
If someone were to tell me that, whatever that girl’s name is, and Trump are related, I’d believe it right away. Both look more orange than the fruit which says a lot about the shade of foundation they use to cover up their ugliness.
Out of the blue she groans. “My mom’s asking for a divorce.”
“How’re you feeling?”
“I dunno. My dad is an asshole and she’s better off without him but I don’t know how to feel about whatever awaits us now.”
“You’ll leave with her though, right?”
She sighs and leans her head on my shoulder. “I don’t know. I guess that’d be smarter than staying with my dad but neither option’s good. I’m glad she’s leaving him ‘cause he’s really a piece of shit but what the hell should I do?”
“Your parents really suck.”
Her father’s a deadbeat drunk and her mom’s a narcissist with a victim complex. Honestly, I don’t think she should pick either one of them. Neither parent, nor the life that comes with lodging with them, sounds attractive. The issue is she’s barely sixteen; she doesn’t have a long list of choices.
“Damn right.”
“How are things at home though? I’m guessing he hasn’t moved out yet. Is he giving you a hard time?”
I wish I could help her in the way Aoi helped me but I’m only fifteen. I have no job, no money, no way of genuinely lending a hand other than offering a shoulder to cry on and an ear to vent to.
She interlinks her fingers and cracks them. “He’s been drinking more often actually. I don’t know what’s going on in his head so I don’t feel very safe around him but that’s always been the case.”
“What about your mom?” I ask. “The whole thing must be hard on her too. I hope she’s not taking it out on you.”
“As much as I hate her, I feel bad for her. I mean, she’s been through a lot of shit because of him. She’s had to deal with his abuse more than I. If I could do something to help her I would. She’s my mom and I can’t help but want to see her happy.”
“Do you want to come stay with me and Aoi for some time? At least until the tension eases?”
She stares at me, eyes glistening but she shakes her head. “I can’t. I don’t want to impose on either of you and I could never leave Tommy behind.”
“It’s fine. Aoi’s a benevolent man. If I explain the situation, he’ll immediately help you. Also, it’s a given that your little brother is included in the offer.”
Olivia’s eyes crease at the corners. “You’re a really good friend you know?”
“It’s the bare minimum, Liv. You’re like my sister. Not being able to help you makes me feel like utter crap.”
“I’ll be fine.”
