Colorblind [Three]

I closed the door behind me and hoped my brother was a hallucination.

“Aren’t you going to say hi to your brother?”

I heard my father’s voice before he emerged from the bedroom. Going to Chris’ house was looking like heaven right about then.

“Hi Freddy,” I said.

His greasy black curly fell slightly above warm amber eyes, which was our only common factor. His once shapely body was now replaced with a beer belly and numerous amounts of scars, one which I caused. But he had it coming.

About three years ago, I had stayed home from school because I wasn’t feeling well and it was no surprise my brother was skipping school. The door of my room swung open and the sound and smell of my intoxicated brother startled me. “Ava, I love you. You’re so cute.” He said, he tripped over himself and landed on my bed. He began to caress my face but I slapped him and tried to run. He crushed me with his body and slipped his hand up my shirt.

“STOP IT!” I cried. He wouldn’t stop, he bite my neck and unbuttoned my pants. I kicked and screamed at the top of my lungs. The firm grip on my nostrils silenced me and he began to unbuckle his pants.

“Trust me, you’ll like it.”

I was motionless the kicking and screaming had tired me out but I was still fighting-mentally. The sun shined on the razor that sat on my night table. I grabbed it, and without another thought I sliced the side of his neck. His hand dashed to injury and he jumped off of me.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!”

I grabbed my bag and ran out of the house and I didn’t come back for three days. When I returned my brother was gone.

Now remember everything he had done to me I quickened my step towards me room and grabbed my bag out of the closet. I threw a bunch of clothes and books into my bag. The distinct sound of the engine pulling out of the driveway was most likely my brother’s way of saying “time’s up”. I heard footsteps towards my bedroom and I froze.

“So what have you been up to?” He leaned against my door and crossed his arms; his question was neither genuine nor uncertain.

“Uhm...” I zipped up my bag and swallowed my last chance for safety. “…nothing important”

He stood there for a few seconds then quickly closed the door. He was now an inch away from me. “We’ll I’ve been thinking about you…”

I wished my feet could have moved at the speed of my racing heart. His dry granular fingers ran down my arm. I jerked away but he grabbed me.

“Please, Freddy…don’t,”

He pushed me against the door and began to grope me.

“Did you even wonder what happened to me after you sliced my neck,” he said softly into my ear. The only response he received was the tears flowing down my cheeks.

“You almost killed me, bitch” He yelled. I closed my eyes and winced for the future pain I knew he would inflict. The sound of keys emerged from his pocket and I knew this wouldn’t end in my favor.

The cold metal keys ran across my face and quivering lip. The key was on a painful journey down my chin and neck, the pain was unbearable. I was not going to take this anymore. I grabbed both his arms and dug my nails in until there were 5 cuts on each arm. His sore arms let me free. I sent a vindictive blow to his crotch, and bought myself a few seconds to getaway.

My feet took me to the gas station farthest from my house. I checked my reflection in the dirty bathroom mirror. I washed my face from the blood and wiped it dry. The vibration of my phone was almost unnoticeable in my trembling hand.

“Hello?”

“Hey baby,”

I was relieved to hear his voice, I even grinned a little. Chris’s words were my only salvation.

“Well, I think you’re going to get your wish...” I grumbled somewhat blissfully.

“I knew you’d come,” he laughed.

“I’ll be there soon,” I replied.

“OK, see ya,”

I flipped my phone close and bought myself a toothbrush. I sat down on the bus and anxiously waited. I pulled out my camera and looked through the pictures of me and Chris. I liked him a lot, okay, I loved him. When I was around him I just felt like I was in a completely different world, a better world. Our relationship wasn’t one of those ‘love at first sight’ relationships. I hated those. I got up as we neared my stop. I saw Chris waiting for me at the bus stop.

His cheerful expression changed to a fretful gape as he glanced at the scar.

“What the hell happened?” I winced as he gently ran his finger down the side of my face.

I took his hand in mine and tried to think of a good reason, “There’s an angry pit bull on my street…”

He wasn’t convinced, “Ava-”

I quickly changed the subject, “Did you order food? I’m starving!”

I pulled him up the stairs to his front door and dragged him inside. He pushed the door behind him.

The mischievous look on his face was almost expected. He leaned into kiss me but I was captivated by a heavenly smell. My jaw lost function as I looked at the dining room. The beautifully decorated table held flowers and candles. The plates were filled with white creamy pasta and a small bowl of leafy greens.

“You didn’t tell me you could cook!” I said and playfully pushed him.

He laughed and grabbed my hand and kissed it.

“After you, Madame”

He watched me eat from across the table. He had an eye from honesty and he wasn’t taking my fabrication. Anxiety exhaled through his lips as he let out a sigh of frustration.

I clanked my fork down on the plate and glowered.

“What?” I snapped. I rested my back against the chair and folded my arms over my chest.

“Ava, I don’t like seeing you hurt all the time. Are you really going to be angry because I care about you? ” I placed a stand of hair behind my ear and shifted my glare to the window. He continued his bothersome tirade.

Half way through I stopped listening. It wasn’t that I didn’t want him to care about me; I just didn’t really want to deal with stuff when I was with him. He ripped my freedom from me with every sorrowful look.

“I’m sorry; I know you’re just worried.” I forged a smile. I lifted to my feet and stepped towards him with sensual intentions. I planted myself on his lap and slipped him a wet kiss.

He was coerced into smiling and forgot his suspicions.

“I should show you the rest of the house,” he suggested and pulled me to my feet he hastily walked through the foyer and pulled me up the stairs.