his weakness

two

K E N Z I E

I grab my phone and headphones from the nightstand before heading downstairs to the dining room. Dad and Nicole are already seated at the table as Janice arranges dishes. I notice she's serving food onto their plates but not mine.

I'm not even surprised.

I pull out a chair and quietly take a seat at the table, avoiding eye contact with anyone. I sense Nicole's gaze on me as she glances in my direction, sizing me up. I decide not to engage in conversation and remain silent, preferring not to say anything to anyone.

I serve myself some food and start eating while listening to music. I've learned that if they catch me watching something on my phone, it'll cause a commotion at the table. So, I stick to my routine, tuning into music while they engage in their conversations about who knows what. I have no interest in knowing their topics of discussion.

I can physically feel the awkwardness in the room lingering around but I pay no mind to it, just calmly listening to my music and eating dinner.

As I rise from my seat and pick up my plate, heading towards the kitchen, I notice Janice's lips moving, directed right at me. I control myself from rolling my eyes and pause my music, taking a moment to tune into what she might be saying.

I have stopped my music just to listen to her annoying ass voice. This better be worth my time.

"Yeah?" I ask, still standing up with my plate in my hand.

"You're not going anywhere, sit back down in your seat." She says with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"I'm not sitting back down, I finished my dinner. I'm going upstairs now."

"Kenzie." I look towards my dad's direction to see him looking directly at me with a pissed off look.

"What do you want?" I look back at Janice and ask.

"Who do you think you are talking to my mother like that?" Nicole chimes in.

Why are people so stupid? God I hate this house so much along with everyone in it.

"Please stop trying so hard to look intimidating, it's embarrassing." I scoff.

"Kenzie!" My dad's voice booms, the force of his fist hits the dinner table, causing everything to tremble.

I remain unfazed, maintaining a piercing glare aimed at Nicole. I've grown to be used to my dad's sudden outbursts, but he never directs them at Nicole. Of course, he doesn't.

"I have loads of homework to do."  I huff in annoyance as I place my plate back into the kitchen sink and storm off, ignoring my dad completely.

- - -

I groggily open my eyes to the sound of my alarm. Last night, I stayed up late binge-watching "The Office" on Netflix. I close my eyes again, promising myself I'll get up in five minutes, only to be greeted by the next alarm.

*ALARM GOES OFF*

"Fuck my life." I groan as I stretch my arms and legs wanting to go back to sleep.