"A-Aki? What's wrong? This bruise is nothing."
"Jamie, how long are you going to lie to me?"
"It's really nothing!"
"Jamie. . . ."
Jamie touched the spot where his lip was now turning a light purple, as it was now fading, he looked down to the marble floor as he caresses the spot with his fingers gently. "Aki, I have to go home now, I should practice, by the way, thanks for everything you've given me!" Just when Jamie was turning to leave Akira grabbed his wrist and stopped him in his tracks. "You're not going anywhere near that house!" Akira clenched his jaw as he tried to contain his anger from exposure. "What? Why? Whatcha mean Aki?" Jamie was now looking at him a little shocked, usually, Akira was a very quiet boy who stood away from the business of others. "I don't want you to go anywhere near that house, especially while those assholes are around. . ." Akira couldn't contain his emotions at this point, even though he wanted to wait for Jamie to be honest to him, he couldn't hold it in, seeing his best friend suffer was more than he could possibly handle. "Aki," Jamie whispered, "I'll be alright. . . don't worry, I'll be fine, I've managed haven't I?" Jamie said with a small smile. Akira bit his bottom lip before he said something he knew he'll regret, "Fine, I'll see you tomorrow," Forcing a smile even though he felt the regret of letting him go back to the house that caused his sorrows in the first place. "Call me if you need anything, okay?"
"Yeah, thank you so much, Aki!" And with a wave, they both made their way to their dwellings.
° ° °
"Where's that asshole? He's been given a new job!" Jamie's father exclaimed happily. "This one says the offer would be doubled if he stays the night, and participates in the auction! Can you believe our luck?" He continued. Jamie's mother stared at her husband in disbelief, how could a father not love his own son? Jamie opened the door to his already messed-up house and quietly made his way to the kitchen where his oversized father was sitting on the floor with a pillow on his bottom and a beer in hand. "Finally, after many offers, we can finally have money once again!" Jamie flinched to his father's words. Was that job the one he was promised to not have to do anymore? Jamie stayed to listen to insure his doubts. "Dear, we will be given a special offer all we need is for his cooperation!" Jamie's father told his mother who was too scared to say anything, rather than staying silent. Jamie although dashed to his room, slamming the door as hard as he can. Ruffling his hair in frustration with one hand he used the other to fix his glasses, beginning to walk around the room thinking of an escape. 'Akira said to call whenever right? I could go right now can I? No, I will not bother him, I've done this before!" His thoughts were trailing everywhere and Jamie found no use thinking and just accept this all as fate. "BOY, COME DOWN HERE NOW!" Jamie breathed in and out trying to calm himself for what is yet to come. He made his way down the stairs with a shaky body, upon arriving he sat on one of the dark red cushions on the floor staring intensely at the table, full of beer bottles everywhere. "WHY WON'T YOU GREET YOUR SUPERIOR? Jamie's dad slapped him with much force he knocked his glasses off. Mumbling a small sorry he went on a search to find them which he couldn't. With the help of his mother, Jamie found his glasses and put them on. Being already used to this behavior, it was no news for him. "My boy, I have news! The club needs you tonight! So I want you to go and get changed quickly so we can be on our way." Jamie's dad clapped his chubby hands in excitement, Jamie however was looking hard at the floor trying to process it all. "But- uhm- dad you promised I wouldn't need to do this anymore. . ." Jamie said in a soft whisper. "You dare question my ways boy! Have you ever thought of what a life I could've had if not for you? Can't you see we are in need of money! Hurry up and change I don't have a lot of time!"
Jamie kept his head held low as he bit his bottom lip and clenched his fist, trying his best to not get overtaken by his mixed emotions. "Okay. . ." He said in a soft tone, getting up and slowly walking the stairs with blurry wet eyes.