Upon entering the house, I have stumbled upon a toy for a child. A remote control car which I so much dream of.
Seeing the car moving on its own, I have already whose using it. It's my younger step-brother.
Knowing where they were, I simply look at the door of the living room to find the whole family of my mother with her new husband as they laugh... Until I came.
"So the livestock have returned."
"Honey, you should stop calling him like that, what would happen if he suicide?"
"Oh what a fortunate even would that be! At least we could remove a useless mouth from our table!"
As if trying to make me hear those hurtful words, the sound of their rants echoed through the house. While at the same time, I keep moving upstairs towards the antique in which I stay.
Upon climbing the improvised ladder, I enter my room. It's a simple room with a futon and a small table that can be used to store the books I always read.
An electric lantern can also be found near it and soon lights up as I switch it buttons.
The lamp made the room illuminated from the darkness that have stayed since I left from it.
I drop my bags at the side and change my clothes.
After finishing, I immediately head outside the house in order to find a job. I am so much in need right now since I have been pressured by the words of them.
And I'm afraid I might cause trouble if I can't control myself anymore.
And so, without wasting any more time, I walk towards the end of the street while holding what seems to be a paper.
Upon arriving, I stood in front of a store of hardware. I look at the content of the paper again and raise my head back and forth.
Not knowing what to do, I freeze at my position until a certain someone called me.
"Eyo, you've been staring at my place since earlier. You have something you need?"
I look at the source of the voice only to see a bearded man wearing a handkerchief at his head.
"Yes, I have come for this."
I handed over the paper that I found while getting home, there he sigh for a bit and look a little bit disappointed.
"Look kid, you don't even look like someone who have bulk muscles, we need someone who can lift heavy stuff and so much more. We don't need to cause unnecessary trouble here."
"I'm strong."
"Sigh, yes, but we don't need you okay?"
"I can work everyday until night."
"It's not that."
"I have small amount of knowledge regarding materials. Please."
"Look kid, it's not that we don't need you it's just we can't. You better find other jobs."
And just like that, I have failed to acquire yet another job.
Everyday, since I step in senior high, I have been searching for a way to find myself a source of income. I kept this disclosed from my parents as it will probably bring them unnecessary words that could either make me homeless or have a warlike home.
As I wander mindlessly through the streets, I find, Mika and Michael eating what looks like an ice cream.
However, as I get closer, I saw a group of people coming out from the store with them.
That's the same people who have beaten me up and still bully me even after stepping up at senior high.
'Fuckers.' I thought as I hid myself behind the parked cars. Thankfully, I think no one saw me as they walk out the street.
After finding the area clear, I continue my path towards where I'm suppose to go.
Wait, where am I supposed to go again?
And so, a thoughtless wandering began.
*****
Night came and unfortunately, neither have I find nor made any money that I can use for my broken glasses. It's been half a day and my stomach starts to complain as I walk through the streets far away from home.
There, I find many people busy doing their things and others walk their way home.
On the other hand, I simply walk without energy and dejectedly because of the result my today's goal.
And once again, I find Mika, Michael, and the rest of their group, walking towards me.
Thinking that they have not seen me, I immediately made a turn. However, a guy suddenly called my name.
"Well, if isn't the cowardly Chris."
"Ooohhh~, it's really him!!"
"Come here boy, let's play!"
Pretending that I have never heard any of that, I continue to walk and turn towards an empty street.
However, they soon starts to run as if they are chasing me. Unfortunately, I have no energy to spare and so, they easily caught on me, resulting a kick from the back and a forceful pull from my hands.
*Kick!!!*
"Come here, we got something to say!"
"I'm... tired, please, can we do it tomorrow?"
"Nuh-uh!"
"Hey, we got him!"
"Good job!"
"Haha, how have you been boy!?"
I glare at the guy in front of me as I wipe the blood from my face because of the impact I have made earlier. However, only was I replied with a smirk and pat my head as if I'm his dog.
"No dogs run like that when they're owner called for them. So why did you do it?"
*Groan*
I grumbled a words something they cannot understand, but deep down, it was a curse. I've had enough and yet I can't do something that will make them stop.
"You had money on you? You see, we've been having a hard time trying to play since we don't have any money. Lloyd here saw you earlier, why is that, you looking for us?"
"No, why would I look for you?"
*Punch!*
Suddenly, a punch struck my face as I lose my composure.
The struck was not so strong, however, it is enough to make me lose balance.
Thankfully, I was able to support myself by repositioning my feet before falling.
"Can you at least answer me properly?"
He said as he look at me with a smile on his face. On the other hand, I slowly wipe the blood running from my nose while glaring at the two from their back.
The two siblings simply shrug their shoulder as they look away pretending to be busy for something.
'Traitors.' I almost tear up as I thought about the event and things they did to me. If only I were smarter, I wouldn't have fallen for their petty tricks.
"I'm asking you!"
He suddenly raise his voice as he close his face near my ear which made my ear ring for a second.
"I'm looking for a job."
"There you go!"
"Wait, Marcus, he's looking for a job!" Lloyd said as he delightedly emphasize the word job.
"Vincent, why don't you wipe our buddy's cloth, it seems it get dirty from earlier." A sudden change of tone was heard from Marcus after hearing my answer.
"That's good then, we can borrow more money from him!"
"Ah yes!!" The four scumbags start to cheer as they hold my hands. These psychopaths really don't know how to set up the mood.
*****
Amongst the group, only two of the people don't feel any kind of delight. It's Mika and Michael.
They look at the group as they forcefully make Chris dance with them while they cheer from the sudden news.
The two simply stare at them as they talk to each other silently.
"That guy is truly a coward. He's finding a job yet can't even lie with it."
"Leave him be, Mika. It's his choice."
"But brother, how long can you keep silence when you're seeing him like this?!"
"I, too felt guilty but it doesn't change the fact that he chooses not to join us."
A small tear can be seen steering at the eyes of the young lady while staring at the already fed up boy in front of them.
This boy, who was once a cheerful person despite his family problem. The boy who always cheer her up and give her thoughtful advises, yet can't even fathom and apply it to himself.
Such cowardice made her disappointed and yet she felt extremely sad by simply seeing him suffer.
Mika knows well what cause this, yet she still feels that everything was his fault.
"I think that's enough."
Suddenly, her brother made a complain while the other guys continue their cheer. And soon they stop.
"Whaaaat, why?? Don't tell me you feel pity to him, oh no, what if he turn again!?" Marcus said while looking the already tired Chris.
"No, that's not it. I thought we had something to do?"
"Oh right, I almost forgot about that! Oh no buddy, it seems we have to go now." He said to Chris with dejected face. However, this made him felt relieve as he can now rest.
They soon starts to left one by one until the siblings were left, before they leave, Mika left again another message.
"Coward..." This time, she said it with a stiff, small voice that only the three of them can hear. But for the first time ever, Chris made his rebut.
"Traitors."