-𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐕.-

„What's your fucking problem?!"

„You just drink and don't care about her! You're here aren't you?!"

„YOU ARE NOT BETTER!"

„AT LEAST I TALK TO HER AND CHECK ON HER LIKE A FATHER SHOULD!"

My parents have been fighting for at least a week and it's always been the same. It was the worst week of my life. My father thought that Mum didn't pay enough attention to me. He thinks he'd be better off coming by once every three months. My mother thinks that my father is too stupid to take care of a child and that he has another wife.

Do you want me to say something?
Both are equally stupid if they think that one is better than the other. I have to know.

I had retreated to my room, but even up here I could hear every word loud and clear. Why didn't they just ask me? How did it all look? What did I think of that? Why didn't they let me have a say? It was just stupid.

{ 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐘 }

I sat in class tired and without any interest. Honestly if my parents weren't home I'd catch up on all the sleep but they were arguing themselves about who got to sleep in the bedroom. It was annoying. They didn't even think of me.

„Are you okay Maddy? You don't look like you're here.", John asked me and looked at me worried.

I looked at him. The dark circles under my eyes couldn't be overlooked and it wasn't difficult to see that I was in a bad mood. I think he had a hunch and needed confirmation. After all, John knew me best.

„Is it enough if I say that my parents are at home?", I asked a counter question and had to yawn.

The lack of sleep would probably accompany me more often now. John knew my parents well enough to say it's going to be messy when they meet. It wasn't like they argued all day, but when they did it was loud enough for the neighbors to hear. It was unbearable. Can't they sit down at a table like normal people and talk about it at a reasonable volume?

„I'm sorry Mads. It'll get better."

„I hope so too Johnny.", I told him, trying to focus on the lesson.

Concentrating didn't quite work out as it should. During the break I sat outside, I didn't feel like sitting in the cafeteria. John, Roger and Brian quickly followed, so I wasn't alone anymore. They all saw that I wasn't feeling well, but kindly didn't mention it. Even though I packed donuts, I didn't really have an appetite. I just pushed them over to John.

„Your eyes are about to pop out. Eat, I'm not hungry.", he didn't need to be told twice.

Before I could say anything else he had the donut in his mouth. Brian could only giggle at that.

„You could just stay at Roger's or Brian's. I've got a visit from Dad and you know what he's like.", my best friend said with his mouth full and I just nodded.

His father thought we were together and wanted us to kiss in front of his eyes. But since we were just best friends, that was out of the question.

„I'd really like to help you, but my parents freak out if I let any other girl sleep with me besides Chrissie."

„It's okay Bri, I don't intend to be seen as a scammer either. I can also stay at home that's not it.", I said and shrugged.

I didn't want to be a burden to anyone and I didn't know how Winfried would react to a girl sleeping at Roger's. Besides, I can just sleep in the basement. The sound wasn't as strong there as in my room. I made a little sleeping corner there when I was younger. Even now I still use it when mom comes home drunk again.

„You can stay with me until your parents get their act together. I'm sure Mum won't mind, she already loves you.", Roger said casually as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

It was actually normal, but it wouldn't be so uncomfortable if we were a couple. But we're not a couple.

„I'll come with you after school so we can get some things.", he said and with that it was settled. I would stay at Roger's.

The way home was much too short for me, which could also be because I was more focused on not saying anything wrong. A few shirts, sweaters, trousers and socks. Don't forget the underwear and preferably a cardigan. Toothbrush, toothpaste and a brush. That should be enough for now. If not, I just go to the supermarket and get the missing things.

„Are your parents really that bad?", asked Roger cautiously.

He didn't want to say anything wrong and I appreciated that. The topic of family was a sore point for me, it always was. i knew that they had relatives in london, but i also knew that they didn't want to have anything to do with me.

„No, but the arguments aren't just getting on my nerves. Whoever is better wins.", I explained to him.

I didn't really care who was better since both were equally bad. Mum was just drinking and didn't look after me one bit. Dad was only home a day or two in two months. But he only slept and always overlooked me. So there was no point in me saying that one was better than the other because that was a lie.

„Sometimes our parents are the biggest assholes on earth.”

„Facts.", was the only thing I said.

We stopped in front of the front door and I dug my key out of my backpack. I could hear muffled screams and knew what was about to happen.

„Just try to ignore it okay?", I said embarrassed because Roger was about to see my parents arguing.

I unlocked it and as soon as I did I regretted it.