Page 1 of All Your Firsts

One

Rosie

An overwhelming sense of dread courses through my veins as I silently implore the universe to spare me from a tragic demise that ends with me plummeting to my death.

The lattice covered in vines on the side of the house makes it hard for my feet to find stability in my Docs. This was a whole hell of a lot easier when I was younger and twenty pounds lighter. Trembling with anxiety, I stare down at the ground from the window of my childhood bedroom on the second floor.

Just as I think I’m nearing the end of the descent and about to touch the velvety grass, I lose my balance and crash down; the impact sends a sharp jolt of pain through my ass, which quickly numbs. That will hurt like hell later. Pushing myself up from the ground, I dust off the blades of grass and release a frustrated sigh while looking around.

After retrieving my phone from my back pocket, its screen illuminates my face with dim light, exposing a glaring crack across the front.

Lovely. This trip home has turned into a nightmare.

Glancing at the clock, I’m hit with the realization that I’ve let valuable time slip away. With the guard’s rotation ending in approximately seven minutes, this is my only opportunity to escape undetected.

If Papa learns our home is left unguarded and unprotected for even fifteen minutes during the late hours of the night, his reaction will be swift and severe. I’ve seen people lose their head for far less at his command.

I carefully navigate the house’s exterior, using the cover of nightfall and the occasional shrubbery to conceal my movements. As I make my way past the kitchen, my steps falter at the sight of my mama sitting with a glass of wine in her hand and a book resting on her lap. Waves of emotion rise in my chest, making it hard to breathe, and tears threaten to spill from my eyes.

My leaving will upset her, but deep down, I believe she’ll understand. She always has. I press my hand against the cold glass.I love you, and I’m sorry.With one last glance, I continue my trek around the house, leaving her behind.

In my haste, I almost overlook the next window, its soft light creating what would be an ethereal glow on the grass if I didn’t know the darkness that lurked in this room.

I pause, pressing my back against the cold brick wall of the house. I cover my erratic, beating heart with my hand and inhale deeply. This is the last room I must pass without being detected, inching me closer to my long-awaited freedom.

Peeking through the window, I see my father sitting behind his desk. His back is turned toward me as he holds a glass of his ever-present golden-amber liquid. With his intense stare fixedon the wall, it’s clear he’s engrossed in deep reflection, likely conjuring up new schemes to make my life miserable.

As he rises from his chair, I quickly crouch low under the window, hidden from his view.

My throat feels parched and scratchy as if it’s filled with coarse sand, while my hands are clammy and soaked with sweat. What an odd combination. I take a moment to count to three, hoping it will help me gather enough courage to continue.

It’s now or never, Rosie.

Don’t be a coward.

As I crawl past his window, I can’t bring myself to glance back inside, fearing what I might see.

I stand and sprint away as fast as I can, feeling as if the devil himself chases me.

As I run across the cold, wet grass, my gaze keeps trailing over my shoulder. The mere thought of my father finding me with a getaway bag in my hand sends shivers down my spine. I can’t give a sorry-ass excuse like ‘I’m going for a night run,’ like I did last time they caught me. I received the most severe beating I’ve ever experienced, and now I dread what an even harsher punishment would be.

While consumed with fear of the monster behind me, I fail to notice the brick wall until I collide with it.

I shriek as my ass and back hit the ground for the second time tonight.

With utter disappointment and a crushed soul, I acknowledge the truth. The exhilarating sensation of freedom’s breeze against my face will be a distant longing once they escort me back to the house.

My gaze lifts, and I’m startled to find myself locking eyes with someone I haven’t seen in years.

“Gage?” I say in confusion as I rub my eyes. Maybe the two falls so close together are messing with my eyesight. “What the hell are you doing here?”

He reaches his hand out to me. “Here.”

Slapping it away, I hoist myself up from the ground, a bit more leisurely this time since there’s no longer any urgency now that I’ve been caught.

“I see your stubbornness hasn’t changed.”

“I’m amazed you remember after disregarding me for years as if I didn’t exist.”

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