Raising Chandler

Ella looked at me. "Because why?" she asked. "Because I think you deserve to live a long, happy life," I answered. "My life isn't happy, though," she said. "Well, it will be," I replied. "Oh yeah, what makes you so sure?" she asked in a tone that made it clear that she didn't believe me. "Because I'll make it happy," I countered. She half-smiled.
I moved towards her and she walked into my embrace. I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard a deep voice behind me. "Hey kid, what are you doing holding on to my little girl?"
I let go of Ella, and turned around to face a man who was twice my size, and red-faced. "I'm s-sorry daddy, p-please don't hurt him!" Ella squeaked from behind me. I may only be 13, but I'm about to be a man. "Shut up, you little slut!" he yelled. "Go get in the car!"
"Yes, s-sir," she stuttered and ran to the black truck parked a few hundred feet away. "What were you doing with her?" he asked angrily. I looked him in the eye and said sternly, "Your job." He looked shocked at first, then angrier, and he pulled his fist back. He swung and I moved, but his fist still connected with my ribs. I stumbled backwards a few steps, then reared my foot back and kicked him square in the manhood. He doubled over and vomited, while I ran for the truck. I reached the truck and pulled the passenger side door open. "Come on, Ella!" I said, but she shook her head.
"If I go with you it'll only make things worse. You need to get out of here, I don't want him to hurt you...I'm sure we'll meet again eventually," she said frantically, glancing behind me every few seconds. I reluctantly nodded. "Promise?" I asked. "Promise, now go, Chandler, before he catches up," she rushed. I looked behind me to see him wiping his mouth and standing back up. I turned back to Ella and opened my mouth to say goodbye, but she shook her head. "Goodbye means I won't see you again," she said, then pulled me towards her and kissed my forehead, then pushed me away and closed the truck door.
I heard footsteps behind me, so I took off. I ran as fast as possible back to my house, and by the time I reached my front porch my head was spinning. I frantically opened my front door and locked it behind me. I collapsed against the door and closed my eyes. After ignoring my whole family and staying in my bedroom all day yesterday, I'd had more than enough adventure today to make up for it.
Once I caught my breath, I stood shakily and made my way to my bedroom. Aubrey followed. I collapsed on my bed and Aubrey walked in and sat down next to me. "What's going on Chan?" she asked.
I sat up and shook my head. "Nothing, I just went for a run," I replied. She looked skeptical, but left it alone and walked back out of my room. I glanced over at my window, half expecting to see the red-faced man outside. He wasn't there, thankfully, but I got up and locked it anyway.
I heard Jack's voice float down the hall, then Lilly's. I refuse to call them mom and dad. They have no idea why I'm so angry with them, and neither does Aubrey.
I closed my door and carefully removed my shirt, examining the bruise that was forming on the right side of my rib cage. I poked it and winced at the pain. I heard a knock on my door, then the knob turned and I turned around quickly as Lilly entered the room.
"Chandler?" she asked, and I picked up my shirt and quickly tried to put it back on, but hit my elbow against the bruise and cried out. Lilly turned me around and gasped at the purpling mark on my side. "What happened?" she asked, moving closer to me. I moved away from her. "Nothing, I just fell when I went for a run this morning. I'm fine," I lied. She moved closer. "Chan, you're lying. What happened to your side? Did someone hit you?" she asked. Again, I jerked away. "I said I'm fine, Lillian!" I snapped. She stepped back.
I pulled my shirt the rest of the way on just as Jack, followed by Aubrey, walked into my room. "That is not how you speak to your mother, young man!" he warned, and I scoffed, letting my anger take control. "She's not my mother! You're not my father! I'm not a Barakat, I'm a Fuentes!!! You people lied to me for nearly ten years and you expect me to respect you?!" I spat. Jack and Lilly both looked shocked.
Jack ushered Aubrey out of the room and shut my door.
"We need to talk." Ya think?

Notes

~Shayde