The Asshole

It was early in the morning, and the day still looked like night. I woke up to the sound of the footsteps in the kitchen.

I knew my father was waking up to his midnight snack even after my mother had warned him about the late-night food. I quickly get up from my bed to the kitchen. I saw him eating a bowl of cereal in a hurry. I sat down opposite him.

He choked in fear, thinking it was my mother who had caught him.

"Jesus Christ, Ave__ you scared me" my dad used to be my favorite person in the world but not anymore.

Sometimes the parents you viewed as heroes or perfect when you were younger no longer do as you get older. Maybe it is because you see their flaws and mistakes. My dad had too many errors, and those mistakes caused my mom depression, overtime, and heartbreak.

If love was still what made her stay after all the things he has done, I wonder what will drive her past the breaking point.

"you need to stop" I feel like this was another circle in my life. First, it starts with my dad gambling, leaving us in debt. Next, mom is depressed that she doesn't have enough money to pay the debt; then I talk to my dad afterward, mom finally pays back the debt, and then dad gambles it all again.

He dropped the spoon into the bowl

"I know. I had a good game if this guy."

"just stop Dad," my right hand in the air, telling him to stop talking.

"I am sorry, Ave" he sounded guilty. But, no. I was tired of this bullshit.

"We don't need your fake ass apologies that won't pay the debts."

"mom is struggling__ she can't keep working overtime. She needs rest. She can't keep picking your ass up every time while you drag her down."

"I am sorry," he mumbled

"you need to get a job, dad."

"I just got fired from my last job," he nitpicked

"3 months ago."

"I know you are disappointed in me, sweetie" he bent his head down, not wanting to stare into my eyes.

"I am going to get a job to lessen mom's stress__ and you are going to do this same if not, I don't think you should live with us regardless of what mom says"

His facial expression displayed a shock. He didn't expect me to say that, but I meant it. I leave him to continue his food. I was surprised when I reached the beginning of the stair to see my mom folding her hands in her nightgown.

"thank you," she whispered with appreciation. It was something she couldn't tell me, dad, something I had said to him.

A week after, I got a job at the movie theatre, it was primarily busy, but I liked it. I punch the number on the machine before handing the customer his popcorn.

"next person please, what would you like to order?" I said while my head glued to the machine.

"Orange is really not your color imposter," he said. He described the color of my work shirt in the cinema.

His voice was deep. I would almost mistake him for a man if I had not looked up to see who it was. But instead, seeing his face made me frown.

"what your order, sir?" I try to be polite as possible

"hmm,__ maybe a girl with a yellow shirt and a cute cap" I put my right hand on my hip.

"if you are not going to order anything, can you just leave" he leaned in closer to the countertop.

"no, when I am annoying you__ Imposter."

"That's not my fucking name."

He put his hand on his mouth, acting shocked.

"oh, she swears __ what will my sister say about this?"

"go mind your business, asshole."

"says the imposter."

"Why the fuck do you keep calling that?"

He raises his hands. "I am not the one who keeps pretending I am someone else."

"I don't pretend?"

"hey, I could have called you other names like a hypocrite, fake, cunning, or two-faced bitch" he smiled sweetly.

I stayed silent, glaring at him.

"Hey, quit your flirting and stop making us wait for the movie is about to start"

"Bye, Avery," he said before leaving the line without buying anything.

This was how it always was with Axel Logan. I didn't even know he was back home. I thought I still had more time before the torment started.