32. JACE

1334 Words
She spoke to him like she would a wounded animal and he hated her for knowing how vulnerable and weak he really was. “I don’t need your help, I’m older and can handle myself,” he told her harshly. “Butt out for once.” “You’re older by twenty minutes which, in case you didn’t know, isn’t a lot of time to gain the life experience required to fuel an ego that big.” “Stop playing your games and let me handle it, ok?” “Whatever,” she muttered, stalking away so briskly Jace had to jog to catch up. “Where are you going?” “I’m not spending two hours of my life I will never get back with an ungrateful, oblivious i***t! “Maia stop, we’re wasting time.” She spun around and shoved him away from her. “Go home, I can do this myself.” “Just let me help you,” he said in exasperation. “Why? You never let anyone.” Bam. That went right to the heart. She was right of course, but that didn’t make the truth any easier to hear. “How am I meant to get home then?” he asked when what he really meant to say was I’m sorry for everything. “I’m sure you’ll handle it,” she sneered, moving swiftly again until she was just another body blending into a crowd of strangers. Jace let out a deep breath and turned away, trying to work out his next move. Feeling around in his pockets, he realised with dread that he’d left his wallet and phone in the car. A laugh bubbled out of his lips. He couldn’t even muster the energy to be angry and he wasn’t even the least bit surprised. “Guess I’m walking,” he muttered to himself. “Should just make it to the party if I start now.” “You do know talking to yourself is a sign you’re crazy, right?” He whirled around to see Maia watching him with amusement in her eyes. Now he was surprised. His crazy, annoying, beautiful sister had come back for him. “I thought you were leaving me to walk home,” he said carefully, not wanting to set her off again. She eyed him shrewdly for a few moments then brushed past him. “You really are an i***t. Hurry up. The decorations aren’t going to buy themselves.” Despite her small stature she was off like a shot. Jace had to run briskly to catch up to her once he’d stopped staring dumbly. “Hey, Maia,” he called out once they had reached the store. She didn’t stop but her pace slowed significantly so he knew she had heard him. He sighed deeply. He hated apologising, it felt like ripping teeth out… but if anyone deserved a rare apology from him, it would be his sister. “Listen,” he began, as he walked pace for pace with her. “I’m an arsehole. It’s in my nature and I’m-” “What do you think about this?” she asked, completely ignoring his attempted apology as she held up a bright pink, feather boa. “Maia, I know you just try and look out for me, even when I don’t deserve it and what I really want is to just…” “Do you think if I picked a theme without checking with Ben he’d be mad?” Jace grabbed her arm, but gently this time. “Maia, just stop, OK? I’m trying to…” Maia shoved him off her impatiently. “I know what you’re trying to do, Jace. I’m not stupid. And as much as I would love to watch you choke out an apology, I’m not interested in receiving one. What I am interested in, however, is getting these decorations so I can go home and get dolled up, OK?” Jace stared at her for a moment trying to process it all. He was mean to her, had grabbed her in a way which would most likely bruise and she was giving him a free pass. Without another word he pulled her in for a hug, squeezing her slightly, hoping that this unexpected show of affection told her everything he was too emotionally shut off to express. Slim arms wrapped around him and squeezed him back. “You’re such a douche,” she told him playfully, ruffling his hair before turning back to the decorations. “And the answer is yes,” he said over her shoulder. “Anything pink or themed, will definitely get you in trouble.” “Kill joys, the whole lot of you.” Jace hid a smile as he followed her dutifully around the store, putting away some of the more outrageous things she tossed into his basket, and enjoying the complete normalcy of the afternoon together. He honestly couldn’t even remember the last time it was just the two of them, spending time together freely without an air of doom or drama surrounding them. For years, things had been tense between them. Jace had done everything in his power to shield his Mum, and his sister, from the monster hiding inside his Father. It made normal day to day activities difficult. He bore every shameful secret he discovered, every beating, every emotional scar as a sort of pride, because if he was hurting it meant that they weren’t. Being Daddy’s little girl, Maia spent years battling against Jace. Seeing only the hostility running one way, and not understanding the cause, believing the honeyed lies their Father told to isolate Jace from his family. It was only when Maia witnessed their Father in one of his drunken rages, almost beating Jace to death - that the brutal, life changing truth was forced upon her. Jace winced, still feeling the wounds as fresh as if it were yesterday. Maia had reported it, hysterical, begging them to protect Jace at all costs. Their Mum sat next to him whilst he was recovering in the hospital, more bruises than boy, the same dead look in her eyes. The police came, there was drama, and promises were made. Jace was released from the hospital, things were better… for a little while. Conditions had been set. Their Dad stopped drinking. They began to rebuild their family, bit by bit, until one night…it just all fell apart. Maia and Matt were out celebrating their first year anniversary, which was practically a miracle for any thirteen-year-old. When Maia didn’t return home by curfew, their Dad didn’t hesitate to break his promise. Their Mother cried and begged, but he continued to imbibe, and quickly. When Maia strolled in two hours after curfew, dancing on cloud nine, he had drunk way past the point of reason. The minute he locked eyes on Maia, his rage boiled over. Lunging forward, he had thrown her against a wall, screaming about responsibility, and other incoherent nonsense. But before he could even raise his fist to her, Jace had stepped up and hit his own Father, striking back for the first time. As his Dad went to hit him again, his Mum stepped in the way and took the blow meant for him, her eye swelling almost instantly. That’s what triggered his rage, seeing his Mum and Sister in pain. With adrenaline coursing through his veins, he struck his Father again and again, with such force until his Dad hit the floor, and did not get back up. He did not respond when their Mother screamed for one of them to call an ambulance. He didn’t stir as she pounded on his chest, begging him to wake up. They were the worst moments of his life - standing there watching his unresponsive Father and hysterical Mother and sister. Terrified that he’d killed his Dad, and disgusted with himself that he was the reason his Mother’s eyes were filled with so much fear.
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