'..... The fuck have I started?'

"You want to tell me the real reason why your dad isn't home most of the time? Or do you want to save that for the walk to school?" Mark asked me, staying near my desk as I sat down and picked up the cereal bowl, drinking the leftover milk out of it. I held up my pointer finger, signaling for him to wait for my answer. I finished the milk and set down the empty bowl.

"I suppose I could tell you now seeing as we have..." I glanced at my clock, which read 6:15.

"One hour before we need to go." I said.

"What's the reason? I really wanna knooooowwww!" He said, slightly whining and crossing his arms like a child. I smiled slightly at his tone.

"Well... The reason why my dad isn't home most of the time is because he's usually out and about, going from bar to bar. He usually gets so drunk that he passes out right at the counter. He occasionally goes to the store and buys several packs of cheap beer and wine. No food, no household essentials, just fucking beer and wine. He's always drunk off his ass and he hardly cooks, or cleans, or anything. He expects my mom and me to cook and clean and take care of fucking everything. It's like we're his fucking maids or servants. I... I just wish he would change back into the dad that I knew from my childhood. The one who took care of me. The one who smiled at me, not the one who is drunk all the damn time. I wish he would change. Or at least get some help with his.... drinking problem." I replied. I sighed and looked at Mark. He was silent, his head was down, then he looked up at me and he visibly gulped. He looked slightly scared.

"I... I don't know what to say... I'm kinda at a loss for words. You're right. Your dad.... he.... definitely needs to go to jail for what he's done to you and your mom for... how long has this been going on for?" He asked

"It's ok... I'm... I'm trying to figure out a way to call the police or the next best thing. The drinking started when I was about 6... and the abuse started when I was about 7 or 8." I said, answering has question. Mark looked shocked.

"So this has been going on for 7 YEARS, and you've never thought to tell me, Iris, Sean, or Ethan?! Or any of our parents?!" He said, emphasizing that he wished that he wanted me to tell him sooner.

"Mark, I didn't want to get you involved because you put your friends before yourself, making sure that their needs are secured before yours. I wanted you to not have to worry about me and for you to get some time to worry about yourself for once. Iris and Sean had enough to worry about, with Sean trying to make enough money off of band gigs and a few part-time jobs to make ends meet, and Iris being in high school and currently trying to find a job. I didn't want to burden them with this when they have enough on their plate already. Ethan... I didn't want him to worry too much. I wanted him to not get involved in my personal life just yet, but I will tell him sometime in the near future. As for the parents, I haven't met Ethan's parents yet, and I don't think they would want their son with a girl like me. Sean is the closest thing Iris has to a dad, and you and him are like brothers to me, and Your parents are probably the closest thing that I know to an actual family. I don't want to ruin that for them, you know? Everyone else has enough to deal with as it is." I explained. I looked at the small package on my desk.

"Oh.... wait... how the fuck do you know all this?" Mark asked. He looked a bit shocked at this.

"I'm observant as fuck. What do you think this is?" I said, pointing to the package. It was a little black box with a pink bow and a note attached to the ribbon. I untied the ribbon and quickly slid the note off. I read it aloud because I wanted Mark to know what it says.

"Point taken... alright. I'm guessing that there's something good in there. Like chocolate or a cupcake. Something edible." Mark said, poking the box and eyeing it slightly suspicious.

"Neighbor~
Hey! I'm new to this neighborhood and figured I'd drop a little present at a random house so I could meet some new people. Enjoy! If you want to meet me, my house number is 1692.
~N.S"

"N.S, huh? Looks strange... Mark, what do you think?" I said, sat the friendliness of the note.

"WAIT!!! Before you open the box, shake it around first. Then we can take our guesses on what it is." Mark said.

"Alrighty." I said. I lifted the box up to my ear and gently shook it. There was a small rattling or shaking sound coming from inside the box. Whatever it was, it fit pretty damn well inside that box.

"Probably a cupcake." I said, smiling.

"Ok. Now let's open the box." He said, looking like a little kid who was receiving a present from their parents.

"You act like a little kid sometimes, you know that?" I said as I opened the lid of the box and smiled at what was inside.