Falling Apart

Chapter-8

One evening, after a particularly bad fight with Dad, I sat in my room, shaking, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps. His words still echoed in my head, sharp and biting.

"You think you can hide from me? You’re worthless. Don’t forget that."

I could still feel the sting of his slap, the way his hand had connected with my cheek, leaving behind a dull, throbbing pain that radiated down to my jaw. It wasn’t the first time, and I knew it wouldn’t be the last.

I glanced at the mirror, my face swollen and red, my eyes bloodshot from crying. The reflection staring back at me didn’t look like me anymore. It was someone else—a hollow version of myself, one who had learned to live in the shadows, to exist in silence.

My phone buzzed on the bed beside me. Adrian.

Where are you? You haven’t answered my texts.

My fingers hovered over the screen, my heart racing. I didn’t have the energy to answer him. Not tonight. Not after what had just happened. But I knew better than to ignore him for too long. He wouldn’t stop. He never did.

At home. Just tired.

It was always the same response. Always the same lie.

A few moments later, another buzz.

You sound off. What’s going on?

I swallowed hard, my eyes stinging with fresh tears. I could tell him. I could let it spill out, tell him about Dad, about everything that had happened. Maybe he would understand. Maybe he would help.

But as the thought crossed my mind, I pushed it away. No one could know. Not even him.

I’m fine. Just a long day.

Another lie.

---

The next day at school, Adrian was waiting for me by my locker. I saw him before he saw me, his face set in that easy, relaxed smile he always wore. But as I got closer, I could see something different in his eyes—something sharper, more intense.

“Hey,” he said, stepping in front of me, blocking my path. “You didn’t answer me last night.”

I forced a small smile, adjusting the strap of my bag over my shoulder. “Sorry. I was just tired.”

“You’ve been saying that a lot lately.” His voice was soft, but there was an edge to it that made me nervous.

I shifted my weight, trying to avoid his gaze. “I’ve just had a lot going on. That’s all.”

Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair away from my face. His touch was gentle, but it sent a chill down my spine. “You know you can tell me anything, right? I care about you.”

“I know,” I mumbled, stepping back slightly. “I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t fine. And I knew he could sense it.

Adrian studied me for a moment longer, his gaze lingering on my face, and I knew he wasn’t satisfied with my answer. But after a long pause, he let out a sigh and stepped aside, allowing me to pass.

“I’ll talk to you later,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a weight that felt heavier than it should have.

---

That night, Dad was home early. From my room, I could hear the sounds of conversation and laughter drifting up the stairs. Elijah, Lorenzo, Ethan, and Maxim were all in the kitchen with him. The four of them had been around more lately, ever since Elijah and Lorenzo moved back home temporarily while saving up for their next place. Maxim was busy with college, and Ethan still had a carefree attitude, more focused on school and friends than anything happening at home.