The Bad Times

   I was fifteen and it was Father's Day. I sat slumped against my lilac coloured bedroom walls. I drowned myself in the soft melody of Gravity by Sara Barellies and felt the sadness pull and tug. It seeped into my skin and festered there, making me irritable.

My mother, Cara knocked on my door swiftly, "what on Earth are you doing in there, Allyson?"

"Nothing that concerns you," I snapped fiercely.

"Don't be rude, you have a visitor!" Her cheery voice made me cringe.

"Wait! Don't let-" my door opened slowly and a head with a mess of jet black hair appeared, Aaron smiled timidly.

"Don't want visitors?"

"No,no. Come in, really. But I'm giving you a fair warning," I grimaced, "it's dangerous in here. Highly hazardous zone. I'm a risk to take when it comes to your happiness, I'll suck it right out of you..."

"Never." Aaron walked my way and slid down next to me, pressed into my side. "Your mom is worried, you know."

I laughed bitterly, "oh, is that why you're here? For my mother's benefit?"

He looked at me sternly. His sky blue eyes burning and serious. "Stop playing games. I came here because I want to know what's got you locked up in here."

"Well, too bad for you. I'm not in the mood for sharing. Touch luck." I tore my gaze away from Aaron and bit my lip.

"Look, I know it's about your dad, Allyson. It's no secret, okay?" He was getting short with me, but I didn't blame him.

"Whatever! I don't even care about him. Stop thinking that something is wrong with me when you don't even know what you're talking about!" I continued shouting, "and don't assume you know anything about what I'm feeling! You know nothing!"

He took each word like it was a cold slap to the face. Never the less he continued to try and break through, "I know you miss him and you wait for his calls by the phone. I know that right now you're aching to see him." I shook my head mechanically, while holding back tears. He went on, "and I know you won't trust me enough to let me get to know you. And I know it's because of him that you won't allow that. I sort of resent him for that because I'd like to see what's kept behind all those sky-high walls." He got up to leave without looking at me, but I couldn't stop myself. I needed to show him that he was wrong, that I was made like a robot. I had to get the last word.

As he turned the door handle, I spoke stonily, "I don't want to let you in, Aaron."

   He froze with his hand clenching my brass doorknob. His face was clean cut and ice cold. His lips were set in a grim line as he opened and closed my door wordlessly.

"I win," I whispered to no one but myself.