Alone but United

Chapter 10

The light whisper of gossip that swirled and flowed in the school. News had gotten out about Tyson's hospitalization, but no one truly knew what put him in there. And the little trifle of Carter's ressent behaviors have left a few suspicious. Giving her more drama then she had expected for her senior year of school.

She didn't plan for any of this, but what person would. Tyson seemed fine. He would always be laughing, smiling, or joking with his friends. He seemed to not ever have a worry in the world. She always had to work late and pay the bills. While working at school and keeping up a persona. Always hiding her tiredness, and fear of not being good enough to keep a roof of their head.

"He had no work in sight…" Carter thought to herself,"He didn't have to worry about the constant bill they were drowning in. A bill for water, a bill for electricity. A bill for meds and taxing. There might as well be a bill on living…"

Carter could feel the tears trying to come out. She sat there in class, her mind throwing one thing after another to her attention. The voices of her regrets and anger screaming in her head. Echoing the feelings she just barred.

She looked out at the window, trying to keep a stoic face."What was his problem. He was a Ratt. He was luck that he could lean on and tell the whole truth too. That he lived in the slums with a sick mother and no father. He could tell them his troubles. Me though…"Carter chucked to herself,"I'm a Kat. I can't tell a soul that I live in the slums. That I work tirelessly night and day to pave a road for some kind of better life for the family I had left."

Leaving school that day, she stopped by Matthew's apartment. Knock on the door, she was soon greeted by a kind face.

"My Carter-,"Mathew looked closer at her,"You look like shit."

Carter smiled then laughed softly,"That's one why to put it."

"No kidding. Come in, would you like a drink?"

"Sure"

Carter went and sat on the couch, not staying much of anything. She stared intently at her feet, lost in her thoughts that questioned her on why she dragged herself here.

Placing two glass cups on the table, Mathew poured half a cup for himself, and a third for Carter.

Mathew sat next to Carter and took the first sip of beer,"What's on your mind?"

Carter grabbed her cup and just stared at the auburn liquid. Swirling it, letting herself be memorized be the fome slowly dissipate.

Mathew patiently waited, taking another sip of his brink.

"Where do I begin…"Carter finally takes a drink of the beer. Leaving the cup empty. She let it fill her mouth and burn the taste in her mouth. Then set the cup on the coffee table 

Mathew set his cup down, preparing himself for a flood of heartache to be released,"Anywhere that comes to mind."

Carter let everything out. The pain, the anger, the worries. Everything that just hit her. The horrid things her grandparents brainwashed her with, the abuse things she did the Tyson, and the overwhelming weight of her family. The meds, her mother's sickness. The bills for saving her brother.

"Why did he leave us…!"Carter cried,"What did Dad leave us...why didn't he hold on to life harder."

Carter started to sob, Mathew forcing her to lean on his shoulder. Allowing her to use his jacket as a tissue.

"Why did Alion leave me, when I needed him. He was my older brother! He was supposed to be there for our family. He should have been looking for a job, now he's down in the dirt."

Mathew racked his fingers in her red locks. Comforting her and letting her still continue.

"And Tyson,"Carter gasped for air,"He was there at my worst and still decided to leave me. To leave me with the weight of Mom's sickness. To have me carry the lies, telling her she'll be fine. I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF SHE CAN HEAR ME ANYMORE!" She started coughing and gasping,"Why do I even push anymore. What if I just stop, stop living…"

Tired by finally relieving herself from everything she had trapped in her head from the past 3 years. In Mathew's arms, she finally allowed herself to drift off and temporarily forget about all her problems.

"You are so strong, never forget that."