Chapter 2: Bloody Arms

Mom prepared a lot, cake, roasted chicken and vegetables salad. She made tacos and my favourite, smash potatoes with fresh milk and a little bit of vanilla.

"Here. Try this one, Sabrina." Mom sliced the roasted chicken and put it on Sabrina's plate. "This one too." Mother put a taco and some of the veggies. Sabrina giggles and said, "Oh! I love tacos and veggies too."

They laughed and I just watch them. I would really miss this one, them. "My Jamie! Here, I made this for you." Mother handed me a bowl of smashed potatoes and smiled. "Thank you, Mom!" I replied, scooping two spoons of it. "Anyway, what University you would like to enroll with Sabrina?"

I lift up my head and stared at her. I remembered, that Dad wants me to enroll in an Engineering Department but he never asked me what I wanted to do. I heard Sabrina long sigh before answering, "I like to enter into a medical university so I'll be picking the California North State University College of Medicine." Sabrina was cool. From the very beginning, she really interested with that stuff.

Sabrina turned her gaze at me and said, "How about you, Jam? You have told me that you will taking up Fine Arts." Of course, I have told her about my passion but Dad pushing me to take up  Civil Engineering.

I turned my head at Sabrina. I really wanted to say that I'm leaving but I can't utter even a single word. Mom looked at me and hold my hand, I know that she's encouraging me to tell the truth to Sabrina. "Me?" I pointed myself and laughed bitterly. "Well, I'm going to enroll in the University of–"

"Jamie?" Father saved me. Goodness! I couldn't bear seeing Sabrina sad. They are all shocked except me, Mom and Sabrina looked at him, gaping. "Come in Dad! Let's eat together." I was about to get another plate when Mom stopped me. "Let me." She said, walking towards the kitchen, carrying the foods that Dad brought for us.

"Good day, Mr. Kurtney!" Sabrina greeted him. "Oh! You must be Sabrina, right?" Father asked.

"She is." I replied shortly. Father sit besides Mom like as usual. They acted like they're okay but they can't fool me, I know what's going on. "You must be hungry and tired, eat all you want to Chris." Sabrina and I keep on watching the two of them. Sabrina giggles and lean closer to me. "Look at them, they're sweet with each other."

"Don't mind them. Let's just finish our food." I replied. "Jamie, you're lucky with Sabrina. Don't you ever hurt her, son." Father said like he's a saint. I don't need anyone's opinion or suggestion especially from him.

"Never." I looked at Mom and I saw tears on her eyes. She's hurt. It must be painful. Only if I can help and get off the pain.

We ate peacefully and Dad would tell his jokes and Sabrina would laugh so hard. Not until my phone rang so loud. "Jamie, no cellphone during eating time." Mom said disappointed.

Fuck! I forgot to silent my phone. I was too occupied thinking how to explain to Sab that I'm moving to LA tomorrow. "Excuse me!" I checked my phone and for the second time today, someone just added me into a group chat. I turned off my phone and back to eating lunch. "What's that?" Sabrina whispered.

"I'm sorry Mom, someone just added me in a GC." Mom gaped at me like she's thinking what is GC. "You mean group chat?" I nodded and Father smiled sweetly. "It's fine Kylie. Jamie is a man now, he's not a baby anymore. Let him use his phone anywhere and anytime."

"Please, not this time around, Mom, Dad." The two of them didn't answer. I hold Sabrina's hand and help her to stand. I don't want to see them arguing, in front of me, in front of my girlfriend. "Please, excuse us." Sabrina said, bowing her head down.

"We will just talk. Excuse us, Mom, Dad." We went to my room quietly. Sabrina was quiet too. I opened the door and let her in. "Thanks." Sabrina said. She look around and saw my guitar hanging on the wall. "Can I?"

I shook my head and I lend the guitar into her. She jumped off herself into my bed and start strumming.

'We could leave the Christmas lights up 'til January

This is our place, we make the rules

And there's a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you, dear

Have I known you twenty seconds or twenty years?'

'Can I go where you go?

Can we always be this close forever and ever?

And ah, take me out, and take me home

You're my, my, my, my lover'

Sabrina was beautiful. She can sing so well, her voice was soft like a piece of satin fabric. "How was it?" Sabrina handed me the guitar, smiling sweetly. "Beautiful, as ever." I set up my camera and put it on the wall, I want to record our last sing along. "Come here." Sabrina stood up and sit beside me.

She knows my favourite song, our favourite song rather. I start strumming, and Sabrina looked upon my eyes. She's really beautiful, her brown hair, her emerald eyes and her crimson lips.

'I found a love for me

Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead

Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet

Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me'

This song is for her. All the things that I can't tell and say to her is in this song. I am terrified and sad, if only Mom and Dad are in good terms then I don't have to leave.

'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love

Not knowing what it was

I will not give you up this time

But darling, just kiss me slow

Your heart is all I own

And in your eyes you're holding mine

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark

With you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass

Listening to our favourite song

When you said you looked a mess

I whispered underneath my breath

But you heard it,

Darling, you look perfect tonight'

I hold Sabrina's hand and caress it. I look deeper into her eyes, I want to see her soul. She raised her eyebrows and slapped my hand. I sighed deeply and said, "I'm leaving, Sabrina." I closed my eyes, I don't want to see her lonely and disappointed. I didn't hear anything from her, but I felt her cold arms rubbing my back. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine Jam." I know she's trying to console me, she's trying to make me feel like everything is okay where in fact it's not.

"I am really sorry. I'm just fucked off everything!" Sabrina snapped and hold my wrist. "Don't say that! I'm willing to wait, Jamie!" I couldn't stop myself anymore from not hugging her so tightly. I lean my chin on her shoulder and touch her back.

"I love you." I cup her face and kiss her gently.

**

Chris and Kylie was left at the dinning table. Chris wouldn't mind to talk, he's busy eating all the tacos and the bubble and squeak. "You shouldn't start talking. Look what happened!" Kylie said, putting to every word an emphasis. It's important. She have to.

Chris shrugged his shoulders, as always. "Stop with your accusations, Kylie. This is all your fault."

"Fuck you!" Kylie blattered. "Go to hell with your not so gorgeous new girlfriend!" Kylie added, angry and exhausted.

Chris punched the table causing the foods to scatter. He's mad, his cheeks became red, he seems like a different Chris. "I just lost my appetite." He throw the napkin on the chair and kick it, leaving Kylie frightened and shocked.

"We're not yet done! Come back here, Chris!" Chris went straight to their room. He caress his temple and punched the wall repeatedly. Kylie pushed the door, she put her hands on her upper waist. "Don't you dare talk back at me, again. I'm not a fool."

Chris loss his control out of nowhere and he slap Kylie. It was painful and mind blowing. Kylie remained firm, caressing her jaw but her eyes are sad and still in shock.

"That slap is nothing compared to your mortal sin. You've caused so much pain and you didn't fail not to hurt me. Hurt me once more and I'm reassuring that you will regret it." Kylie is a loyal and faithful wife. She's too caring and conservative, maybe it's the reason why her husband ruined their happy life.

Chris throw the lampshade, the picture frames, everything that he can see around. "Fuck this life!" He said kicking their wedding picture.

"I regret loving you. I regret marrying with you. But I don't regret having Jamie in my life. Never." Kylie went out from the toxic room and bursted into tears. She wipe her tears away and clean the dirty table.

Life must go on, you have to keep on moving because once you stop, you will be stuck on the same ground, until your last breath.

Kylie heard a loud noise coming from their room. She hurriedly walk and confirm it but she saw a phone on the floor and looked up, seeing Jamie's arms, bleeding.