Broken Bad Boy

PERCIE

I had not shed a tear, which honestly made things worse.

I stared at the house in front of me. It was a miracle how I got in here unscathed. And I didn't know how I was still standing. The main door swung open, revealing my dad. His walk forward felt like an eternity before he reached closer to me. "You can shove anything into my face all you want. I don't give a fuck. I wanna stay. You can call the cops and let them drag me out, but I will still come back. I have nowhere to go right now where no one will find me. This is the last place they're gonna look for me." I wiped my face.

His eyes widened. "Are you in some kind of trouble?"

"With the authority? Not that I know of. Can I come in?"

He nodded quickly. "Did you bring something with you?"

"No."

Dad guided me inside and locked the door behind me. "Can you ask your driver to keep my car in your garage?"

"Of course." He took the key from me.

"If Grands will call and ask if you hear anything from me, tell them nothing." I walked past him upstairs. I must admit their new house was way better than the old one-the perks of being in a real estate business. "What's going on, Percie?" I could feel the worry in his voice. "Let me help you."

I stopped in the middle. "I'm gonna be fine. And you're already helping. Thanks, Dad." I realized I didn't know which doors to go.

"Second to the left." He must have read my mind. "I'll ask Berta to bring something for you. Are you hungry?"

"I just wanna be alone right now, Dad."

"I'll be in the library."

I slammed the door shut the moment I was inside. The room was fully furnished with metallic blue and dark grey furniture and a dark sheet on the king-size bed. Then I noticed a photo frame on the small study table. I stepped closer. To my surprise, it was Emma and me before our high school graduation. Emma took a selfie, and I just photobombed in.

A small smile curved up my lips. "I missed you, Em. I just wish you're here. I don't know what to do, how to bear this pain inside my chest." I placed the photo back into its place.

I laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I watched the iron pendant-inspired light hanging above my head as I recalled to myself what had just happened in that room. I tried to shut my emotions off, but it was excruciating than I thought to ignore. I blinked back the tears, but it was too late. They rolled down at the corners of my eyes.

I might have fallen asleep. I woke up with no idea where I was. Blinking against the glare of the sun streaming through the curtains, I looked around the expanse of the room.

Exhaustion didn't fit the word to describe how I felt right now. I felt like I just woke up from a thousand years of deep slumber, yet I could still use a week of sleep. I felt drained out of energy and emotions. The image in that room replayed back in my head.

The door squeaked open, forcing me to open my eyes. My mom came to view.

"Are you here to kick me out? Can you hold it a little longer?" I didn't move.

I watched her as she stepped closer and sighed. It was surprising to see her seemingly calm than our last conversation. She took a seat at the corner of the bed. She looked at me closely for a few moments before she smiled-the kind of smile that filled with concern and sympathy towards their children when they had their first heartbreak. I must be dreaming right now.

I dragged myself to sit and lean against the headboard. I watched her closely-she didn't reach out nor talk until an awkward silence stretched out between us.

"Why are you in my room, Mom?" I shut my eyes closed. "I mean in this room."

She looked around and smiled again. "I thought it would meet your taste. Just like your old room, only a little bigger and modernize. No more posters and toys, though."

My brows knitted even more. "Why are you making this room for my taste?"

"Your Grands came over last week. Well, it was enlightening. I didn't realize the pain you endured of losing your sister and how you suffered alone because of what I did." She swallowed hard, eyes watering.

I sighed shakily. Another walking down painful memory lane, I see.

"It was all my fault. I decided on my own on giving up Emma for adoption. I wasn't ready to be a mom, let alone a mom of two. Your dad didn't talk to me for weeks. I suffered from post-natal depression as well. When Emma came looking for her biological parents and seeing how the two of you get along so fast, the sight just filled my heart with warmth and love that you two were together again. Then it all faded when you and Emma got into an accident. I thought of punishing you, but I went too far. I kept Emma away from you."

"I hope what you did to me made you happy." I looked away.

"Your Grandpa made me realize what terrible I was as a mother. I know there's no way to go back and fix what I did to you. And if Emma is here, she would not be happy with what I did to you. All I want is a second chance, Percie. I'm so sorry." "Wow! This is pretty convenient, eh? What exactly do you want from me, Mom? I have nothing left other than Grands. What could possibly have to pique your interest in me."Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

"All I want is to be your mother again. That's all. You don't have to trust my words right now. Let me just prove it to you." She reached out for my arm, making me freeze. She then squeezed it.

If I was being honest, I missed a normal conversation like this. I missed my family. I missed a mother's touch, but now it was tainted with pain, mistrust, and anger.

She rose from her seat. Her eyes filled with sorrow, and I thought regrets. "If you're hungry, you can go down to the kitchen. I can prepare your favorite sandwich." The words favorite sandwich made my stomach growl. It was our favorite. A small genuine smile curved up her lips.

"Whoa. We're not there yet." I rolled my eyes.

"I'll send Berta then to bring something for you to eat. You need to shower. You've been asleep for half a day, Percie."

"What?" Did I sleep that long?

"It's Monday, and you just missed your classes, Percival." She walked to the door. "You won't skip school tomorrow. I already talked to the school head that you're sick, but I couldn't give another excuse for tomorrow."

"Thanks." I barely heard my word. "And Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Can I have that sandwich? Um, make it two."