Array
(
[text] =>

How could he just disappear without telling me? You would think that he would have the decency to at least let me know where he was going or that he was actually leaving. For God's sake.

When I open this door, I know I am going to be faced with a thousand questions from the curious people in the living room.

I sigh and open the front door open. I may as well just do this now; I mean I can't disappear like James did.

I step inside and shut the front door behind me.

"Where is that hooligan?" my grandfather asks.

I chuckle to myself, "He just had to go get something," I lie. I can't tell them the truth. At this point, it'll only make them hate him when they are already so uneasy towards him.

I don't know whether or not if I should angry. I feel the shock that he would actually do this to me hit me. I want to hope that all he did was go to the store or something, but I have this gut feeling that it is something much more than that.

I look at my brother and give him a tight smile, assuring him that everything is fine even though it's not. I mean, my boyfriend is M.I.A.

I walk into the kitchen and my mom is still in there making dinner. I want to tell her, but she tells my dad everything, which is definitely something I don't need right now.

I sit down on the chair and she glanced over her shoulder to most likely see who is in the room.

"Sweetheart, could you help me with the turkey?" she asks, unwrapping the bird.

I nod and stand up. Maybe stuffing this bird's ass with bread will take my mind off of this whole situation.

~

~

As I set the table with every everything my mom made, I continue to wonder where James is. It's been over four hours and there is still no sign of him. I called him within those hours and both times it went to voicemail.

I am honestly starting to get a little bit worried. James left randomly and then he doesn't respond to my phone calls. The more I thought about it, the more anxious I feel.

Just as I put the last bowl on the table I feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up and see Charley. "Come on, I need to talk to you," he says.

I nod and follow him into the back room where my mom keeps all the food.

Charley crosses his arms over his chest, "Where did he go?" he asked. He has this slight irritating tone in his voice.

I guess that he noticed. It didn't seem like the rest of the others in the living room noticed.

I start mumbling for some weird reason.

"What is going on Vena?" he asks, keeping his voice low.

"I don't know where he went. He was there and then he wasn't and I haven't heard from him since," admit.

His eyebrows furrow together, "Are you being serious?" he asks, making sure no one can hear us.

I nod, "Of course I am being serious, Charley," I cross my arms over my chest.

I am glad that it is Charley, who asked and not one of my other siblings. Charley won't throw his fists around as soon as James does something mean or terrible.

He runs his hand through his hair, "Are you kidding me? Does he know that he is just digging himself a bigger grave?" he asks.

My brother making me even more frustrated, I cross my arms. "I would ask, but Y'know."

Charley ignores my outburst, "Vena you have to think. Is there any place that he could have left to?"

I have thought about it and the answer is still no. Maybe I would know if James actually told me something once in awhile.

I shake my head.

"VENA! CHARLEY!" my mother calls for us.

I walk back into the kitchen. James still isn't here and I guess that it is official that he has fucked himself.

I sit down with the rest of my family. The empty seat beside me made me feel sick to my head.

How could he do this to me?

No. How could he do this to himself? He was doing fine until he did this.

Based off the expressions on my families faces, you could definitely tell that they deeply loathe him. My mind wanders off to where the more important place he is than here. This stressing feeling fills my stomach. What if doesn't return at all today, what will I do then?

My mother sits down at the table and smiles at the people, but when her eyes land on the empty seat, her smile falters.

I swallow hard. Please don't say anything. Please don't say anything, it will only make this situation worse.

She didn't.

There are a lot of people at this table, so even dishing food out could take awhile. I have only been sitting at this table for a minute and all I want to do is leave. I can feel the tension so thick that no knife can cut.

Ten minutes into eating our meals, still no one has said a word.

The sound of something being hit against the table ends the silence. I look up and see Luke staring at me.

"Would you all stop? It's clear that James isn't here, so why are you all making this more uncomfortable than it has to be? This isn't Vena's fault, so why on earth are you making her feel like it is. We are supposed to be eating Christmas dinner that mom slaved all day to make, so for the love of God show some respect," Luke finally snapped. I am glad that he is the who finally broke and not Orlando or myself because I know that in both situations I would have to leave the table.

"The boy is right," my grandfather speaks up first, "The guy isn't here so there is no point in making a big deal out it. Let's enjoy this wonderful dinner that Luke has kindly pointed out." He looks at my brother.

I sigh.

After that we enjoyed our family dinner still with no sign of James.

~

~

I managed to make it to ten at night before my mind wonder's back to where James could be. The more and more I think about him makes my head start to hurt.

The room slowly starts to clear as the night furthers. I hear plenty of good nights from all of them.

Orlando and his wife got stuck on the cot beds in the living room.

"You guys can sleep in my bed if you'd like," I speak up. I don't really need my room or my queen sized bed since I no longer need to share it with someone. I'll just sleep on the couch.

Orlando stopped making the beds and looks at me, "No Vena, you sleep in your bed."

I shake my head, "Orlando please just take my bed, I am much too tired to argue about it," I rub my eye, quite exhaustingly.

He nods and steps over the beds and over to me, "Everything will be okay," he tells me and pulls me into a hug.

I tightly smile, "Thanks."

He pulls away and smiles. "I will see you in the morning, good night, Ven," he walks up the stairs.

Once again, I am left in my own deafening silence.

I decide against sleeping on the uncomfortable cots and just sleeping on the couch. I grab my pajamas and get ready for bed.

Just as I am turning all the lights off downstairs, I hear a quiet knock from the front door.

I swallow hard. As I walk towards the door, I start to feel the adrenaline start to kick in. I love through the peep hole and sure enough James in standing there. I felt relieved that he is back and angry because he left.

I unlock the door and open it. My eyes meet his. His blue eyes are cold as they look into mine. James is standing there, chills running through his body. I just stepped aside and let him inside, not saying a single word.

Once he stood in the light, I notice the dark shade of crimson on his hands. 

____________________________

          I can imagine all expressions on your faces now. 

Sorry guys for the delay, but I gut busy. So I won't be able to update again the weekend just do you know. 

As for where this story is at. Think outside the box. What you may think has happened may be the complete opposite. But what do I know? Oh wait. Everything. 

If you guys have seen my Snapchat lately, you will have seen how cute my new kittens are. 

—BWS❄️

[text_hash] => 9801cda0
)