Falling for bad

Episode 7

Leah's pov

I felt like I could just let go of everything and not feel the pain anymore. My lids were heavy but then again, I didn't want to open them and get back to my cruel reality. I wanted to be far from everything like u am not. Far from dad, from the pain I received, my body hurts. My only saving grace was Zen. He has always been the main reason I polish through. But what if I can't do it anymore? What if I don't want to do it anymore? Does that make me a bad sister? I'm the only family Zen has left excluding my dad.

Will Zen be able to forgive me if I decide to just let go now and never return? Will he move on? And Axel, he was threatening for me in the short period of time that he knee me. He will take care of Zen if I decide not to wake up,right? I am tired of trying to survive when I know perfectly well that there us nothing out there for me except suffering. I am tired of always pushing through all my bad times only to find myself in an even worse time. What have I ever done to deserve such sad life. First mum left.

I knew she and dad had issues, I mean I heard the arguments. I was eleven years not an i***t. She was pregnant with Zen at the time. The arguments sometimes got physical and he would hit her across the face. Mum usually had black eyes when I came back from school and would always brush off the topic anytime I brought it up. Dad was not always like that, aggressive and hurtful. He was used to be happy. We went out on outings as a family, did things together. We were genuinely happy until dad came home one day. He said he had been demoted. That meant he would be paid less than hr usually was. We weren't rich but we were happy. But with dad's sudden demotion, it meant we won't be as comfortable as we were before.

He started drinking. He would come back home, drunk out of his mind. Then one day he told me to get a job. Who in their right senses would hire an eleven year old girl. Mum obviously has and because of dad, dad hit her across the face. From then on hitting her became a regular thing. One day he hit her so much she started bleeding. Luckily Zen survived it. He promised nevrmer to do it again, pleading with her that he was very sorry. Not even a week after he started hitting her again. The moment mum gave birth to Zen, she left. I came home from school one day and she was gone. Zen laid ony bed crying. I didn't know what to do. I could barely take care of myself much less a baby.. But that didn't stop me. I got him the necessary things he needed with money that I stole from dads wallet. He was too drunk to notice anything. And then he started hitting me. Said I looked anlit like mum and that I deserved it. Two weeks after Zen was born, he fell sick. I had to get him the drugs he needed. Could I really leave Zen to suffer the same fate I have or even worse? What kind of sister would that make me?

I could never abandon Zen behind. What would that make me look like? Part of me was still hurt about what dad tried to do. Yes he gets violent and hits me a lot, but he tried to take advantage of me. H has never done that before. He was even referring to me as Lauren. That was my mum's name. I could not will myself to believe that that day happened. I could not let him hit Zen, I raised Zen by myself. Taught him everything he knows and I am proud of the boy that he is growing up to be. I ran around when he was sick. Tucked him into bed at nights, sang for him when he found it difficult to sleep, stayed to cuddle him when he had nightmares. Why would I let my dad hit him then. But to try and take advantage of me was another thing entirely. I would never forgive him for what he tried to do.

Leah?" That was Zens voice. He sounded scared.

I tried so hard to open my eyes.

"Leah, I am scared." He was crying.

That gave me the power to finally pull through. "Zen?"

He walked to me.

"Come lie beside me." I patted the space beside me on the bed.

He did not hesitate to join me on the bed.

"Wanna talk about it?" I asked him.

He shook his head.

"Want me to sing to you?" I asked again

He shook his head. Holding unto me tighter.

My voice was hoarse, my throat hurt like hell.

"Can you play with my hair?" He asked.

I wasted no time running my fingers through his soft hair.

And hat was how Zen and I fell asleep.

Axel's pov

I left her room immediately i felt her relax. She was calm now and she was fast asleep. I didnt want her to wake up tomorrow and get angry that I invaded her space, especially after what she has been through. I could not get any sleep that night. It was like I felt her pain. Is this what liking someone entails. You feel g down when the person is going through hardships. I do not regret this feeling one bit. It only confirms to me that I like Leah and liking Leah means I'll help her overcome her troubles. With me she will not have to be scared or sad. I made a promise to her. Whether she heard or not I do not care, but I plan to fulfill my promise.

I woke up when it was time for breakfast. I did not sleep well though. My mind was too occupied. I went downstairs to see mum preparing breakfast. "Morning mum." I greeted.

"Morning. Can you wake everyone?" She asked.

"Sure." I went back upstairs to Lisa's room to wake her. She was already awake, just drawing in her princess worksheet..

"Come on Lus. It is time for breakfast." I told her.

She beamed at me. "I'll be down soon."

I pecked her hairbthen went to wake Zen up. He was not in his room, so I figured he would be in Leah's room. So I went there and there they were cuddled closely. It looked like Leah was trying to protect him when it was her who needed protecting. She's so selfless.

"Axel?" She said, her voice hoarse.

"Water?" I asked

Sh nodded, slightly pulling away from Zen side as not to wake him up.

I went to get her water to drink.

She gulped it all down at once.

"It is time for breakfast." I said.

She shook her head. "I am not hungry." She responded.

"Come on. You need to eat something." I said.

"No. I am fine, Axel. I said I am not hungry." She sighed.

Zen started to wake up. "Morning Leah." He said not noticing my presence.

"Morning baby." She greeted back smiling.

She giggled." I am a big boy, Le."

"No you are not." She smiled even wider if that was possible.

Zen finally noticed me."Axey!!" He yelled and jumped on me.

"Morning, chamo." I tossed him in the air.

Hr giggled even louder.

"Come on, tell your sister to come down for breakfast." I know what I did.

"Please, Le." He gave her the puppy eyes. Lisa dies this a lot and it is hard to say no to a cute face.

Leah glared at me while I smiled back at her. "Fine." She sighed.

We all went downstairs.

"Leah!!" Lisa yelled running to her.

"Hey, Lis. how are you?" Leah bent down to her level.

"I'm fine. I drew something for you." She smiled.

"What is it?" Leah asked

Lisa showed her the drawing she was working on when i came into her room. A drawing of flowers and butterflies. "Mum said if a friend isn't feeling well, always draw them a picture of their favorite things and they'll get better quick." Lisa explained.

Leah looked at Lisa with so much adoration. "It is beautiful, Lis. I love it." She hugged Lisa.

"OK, now that everyone is here, let's have breakfast now." Mum announced

"Morning,Sophia." Leah greeted.

"Morning dear. Hope you slept well?" Mum asked.

"I did. Thanks for having me over. I hope I'm not intruding?" She questioned.

"No dear, we are happy to have you. You will stay for as long as you need to." Mum replied.

Leah smiled. "Thank you.'

"Don't mention it." Mum held her hand in support. "Alright everyone, dig in." Mum said and we all began to eat