Sleepover IV: The laughter of tomorrow

DISCLAIMER: "This chapter contains some depicted violence and may hurt or remember some people past trauma. Read at your own discretion. Enjoy!"

_

Emma came out of her room, some loose pants on and an oversized hoodie. Headphones around her neck as she closed her door and walked in the hallway. She was looking at the ground while walking but stopped mid track as she noticed in front of her a figure. She looked up and flinched slightly, it was deer, his antlers were short and broken. He was quite tall and had a strong body with a bit of a belly. Scars all over his exposed upper half and a grumpy face. He looked at her and his deep voice drenched with the strong scent of cheap alcohol echoed in the hallway making Emma look down again.

?: "Wher' Da fuck you've been?"

Emma felt weak in the knees, paralyzed yet shivering like under a snowstorm. She weakly tried to reply but the male quickly got to her and grabbed her by the head fur and lifted her head with force so she would look up at him. She winced in pain and her weaker hands were trying to push the hand of the stronger male.

?: "You think...you can whore around like your mother? Nay"

Emma: "Dad I'm so-"

She was interrupted with a strong slap that made her yelp.

?: "you are a pathetic useless slut, when I think I gave you everythin'. You have a roof over your fuckin' head, you owe that to ME, you can eat food thanks to ME, you can go to that fuckin' rich school thanks to ME. That's how you think you can behave, you OWE me everythin' you little bitch"

She winced in pain trying to get free when her mother came from behind and pleaded crying.

?: "Please Henry, stop! She got it she will be good"

The older female tried to reason her husband and pull him but he turned to her and shouted while pushing her back.

Henry: "She is a whore because of you Monica. She needs a reminder of who provides in this fuckin' house"

Henry slammed Emma's head on the wall with force before letting her hair go. She cried silently, a bit of blood dripping from her nostrils as she got in SSP, covering her head with her arms and bringing her legs to her stomach. He kicked her in the guts and she screamed in pain. He wanted to strike again but the mother pushed him as strongly as she could and he turned to her with rage in his eyes. He raised his hand but the sudden ring on the door made him stop few inches from her face. He looked down at her and blew some hot breath on her face while gritting his teeth.

Henry: "Make her behave or next time she'll end up on a wheelchair and pray I will be merciful to buy that wheelchair"

Monica looked down and the male walked to the living room while she ran to her daughter.

Monica: "I'm sorry baby...I'm so sorry..."

The older female was clearly heartbroken, the disheveled fur on her hands and arms were the remnants of prior fighting with her husband. She wished she could go away but she had no job and all the property was on her husband's name solely. She was praying everyday that her daughter would quickly get her degree and get a job so she could find a better home for herself and perhaps save her as well. Emma sat on the floor leaning her back on the wall behind her as she looked at her mother. She had a weak smile on her face, holding any more tears, her mother was crying and couldn't help but sob. Emma looked down and spoke lowly "I hate him...don't worry mom...we'll soon be out of here"

Monica: "Emma...please stop, he will kill you at this...point...I can't lose...another child...please Emma"

Emma: "what should we do mom...stay here and wait until he kills us both? He is a cop...we can't even drop a plaint...Mom...I've been saving up for some months now, if I keep up like this...we will leave this rotten hell house in December...please Mom..."

Emma sobbed and her mother pulled her in a hug.

Monica: "It's my fault...it's all my fault honey, I'm so sorry...I was a bad mother, I was a bad wife...I "

Emma: "Mom, he doesn't deserve you...you are not a bad mom, I keep going because of you, you taught me that even in hard tempest we could still fight...and find out light"

Monica rubbed her back and closed her eyes. Loud laughter in the living room made the older female slip out of her sadness.

Monica: "let's get you cleaned up okay? Then we could go in that burger place you like"

Emma: "Mom...we can't afford that"

Monica: "you're not the only one who's been saving up some money...I have a small job...it's not paying millions but it's enough to make my sweetie a late happy birthday present"

Emma widened her eyes and her mother rubbed her cheek with care.

Emma: "mom...you didn't have to..."

Monica: "Your father is strong but alcohol has devoured his neurons. He doesn't know I have a job, and thanks to today's technology I can work from home so he won't even suspect anything"

Emma: "Mom you're going spy agent and stuff now, what's that job?"

Monica heard the footsteps in the living room and got up with her daughter as she rushed them in the latter's bedroom. She closed the door and sighed.

Monica: "So yesterday when I was out buying some groceries, I was having issues paying for everything...your father has been a real jackass with money lately, gambling again...anyway I was wondering what I could do and this fine gentleman showed up. Oh my, he was tall and quite good looking, he didn't seem older than you, a wolf in a black suit, a bit scary and rough on the edges but very sweet. Poor dear was mute and smiled to me as he paid for my groceries, I tried refusing politely but he insisted. Thanks God, I know a bit of sign, I could understand what he was saying. He said he worked for a big company, and if I wish I could be hired and I will paid fairly. Then he took out (*whispering*) a grand....he gave me a grand just because he wanted to help out. He gave me a card and said to contact when I will be ready. I immediately accepted and my task was just relay information of neighborhood. I've been talking with all our neighbors women about the whatnot of this neighborhood and I just told him that, he sent me a hundred dollars..."

Emma was stunned and her eyes were wide opened.

Emma: "ok wait a min, a stranger in suit helped you with money and gives you money for basic gossip? Something's fishy here mom"

Monica: "I know, I was weird out as well but...are we really in a situation to doubt...maybe God sent an angel, that man was really nice, and gentle...he reminded me of Lucas..."

Emma: "Mom..."

Monica: "I know, it's been 2 years but I miss your brother...more than anything. That man didn't give me his name but I felt like I knew him for ages"

Emma: "you shouldn't attach yourself to someone that easily..."

Monica: "I know...anyway, I think we could have a chance...together, you and I we could live a better life, far from this place"

Emma: "yes, we could travel, you always wanted to visit New York city, we could"

Monica: "oh my, really? That would be awesome"

Emma: "Together mom...I promise"

Emma hugged her mother and they giggled as if pain was relieved by uncertainty of a better tomorrow.

.

.

.

Matthew pushed the door open and was humming happily.

Matthew: "I'm baaaack"

He shouted as he didn't see any of his two friends. He got in the kitchen to drop the stuff he bought and saw Lauren sitting across the island with Wyatt on the other side they seemed in a deep conversation concerning their expression quite stern and serious.

Matthew: "sheesh, what's with the Platon faces?"

Lauren: "hoooo finally love, did you buy the good stuff?"

Matthew: "I took what I thought could be enough to have fun"

Lauren rushed to the bag and started going through the bottles while making some weird sounds. Matthew chuckled and looked at Wyatt who was still looking down. He got closer to him and sat.

Matthew: "Wyatt, I have something for you"

He had a smaller bag with a logo the shepherd remembered. He looked at Matthew and his eyes widened a bit, still full of melancholy. The gator smiled and took out the item inside.

Matthew: "You seemed to have enjoyed it last time so I thought that huh...yeah here! "

Matthew extended the cup, it was a peach milk boba tea with a cute drawing on it. The gator looked at him and ruffled his hair.

Matthew: "You still owe me a fight in that game"

Matthew smiled warmly and Wyatt couldn't stay still. He blushed and his tail wagged like crazy, his lips cruved into a shy smile.

Wyatt: "T-thank you Matthew"

Matthew: "Don't mention it"

Lauren looked over and noticed and faked an offended gasp.

Lauren: "Oh my gaaaad, bitch you better have one for me too"

Matthew: "you got the drinks, didn't you?"

Lauren: "is that how it is now?"

Matthew: "Stop being so childish and start preparing the game or whatever we are supposed to do now, it's soon to 4, so we should take out the snacks and stuff"

Lauren: "humph! You are lucky, I have my margarita, bitch we gonna enjoy wooohoooo"

She started enjoying herself while dancing and Matthew chuckled. Wyatt had his eyes glued on the gator, his usual chuckle was getting into him. He was smiling like an idiot, his eyes full of emotions. The gator turned back to him with a soft smile and closed his eyes, it made Wyatt's heart melt and hot in the face. Wyatt quickly got up and walked to a cabinet, trying his best to hold his tail down. Lauren couldn't resist the occasion.

Lauren: "Look at you being all happy for a boba tea, by the way, I will drink it too with you, it's not a debate"

Wyatt: "Shut up bitch, you will have none of it"

Lauren: "We'll see that, and you leather bag, you better pray all the deities you may believe in cuz I will be your worst nightmare tonight in the games"

Matthew: "Same games you lost flawlessly against me? Yeah sure, I would like that sweetie"

Lauren: "you'll bite your tongue, just let me tell you that, bitch"

Matthew chuckled and took out his phone while Wyatt was getting some stuff out of the cabinet and placed them on the island. Lauren was helping with dressing the living room nicely but she couldn't make the mattress move.

Lauren: "MATTHEWWWWW! "

Matthew peeked and looked at her from the kitchen.

Matthew: "What's the matter? Don't yell at me"

Lauren: "can you please move this out of the way I want to set the space for the dance floor"

Matthew: "I don't dance, what's the point?"

Lauren: "Could you stop fighting me for second and help me?"

Matthew: "why should I? Weren't you saying that you didn't need the help of a man in your day to day activities?" (*snorted*)

Lauren: "Ha ha, very funny, aww please come help, I can't move it"

Matthew: "Ask nicely"

Wyatt: "Matthew please move the mattress I am coming through with the snacks"

Wyatt said as he was walking around the kitchen with some stuff. Matthew sighed and looked at Lauren with a grumpy face.

Matthew: "I will move that, only because Wyatt asked not because I want to help you"

Lauren: "is that so?"

Matthew: "Yes"

Wyatt: "Are you two done bickering? I need the table ready, so be fast thank you"

Lauren: "It's Matthew, he is being an ass"

Matthew growled and walked in the living room, he folded the blanket and the sheet, kept the pillow on a couch nearby and lifted the mattress effortlessly before leaning it to a wall behind the couch next to the stairs. Lauren chuckled.

Lauren: "ooo, so strong, ashhhhhhhh"

Wyatt walked in the living room and placed the table before going back to the kitchen then back again in the living room with bowls and trays of snacks and cake slices.

Wyatt: "Ho- (*blushing*)Matthew please could you fetch the last tray in the kitchen?"

Matthew: "On it"

He dashed to the kitchen and came back with the tray, some red cups and bottles were placed on it.

Lauren: "okay guys, how about a little warm up. Everyone takes a shot of vodka"

Wyatt was first to take the shot not wasting a second. Lauren dropped her jaw.

Lauren: "And Matthew will yap about me being an alcoholic? No way, Wyatt you drinker"

Wyatt: "I am not like you, I just enjoy good vodka"

Matthew followed with his shot and frowned slightly.

Lauren: "oh I see, this will be fun"

Lauren had a mischievous grin on her face as she took her shot and then shouted.

Lauren: "first game, a little dance on random music and if the other two are satisfied you don't drink, and if they aren't, well you drink"

Wyatt: "what if one is satisfied and the other is not?"

Lauren: "Then the dancer gets a dare"

Wyatt: "That doesn't seem fair"

Matthew: "I join him on that"

Lauren: "ah ah! You have a better suggestion?"

Matthew: "how about the person that was satisfied joins the dancer and help convincing the last one"

Lauren: "seems fair enough, let's get started, we will set this by Rock-paper-scissors"

They all got ready to throw, then in a flash they all showed their signs. Matthew lost and had to start dancing, Lauren grinned and put a random music, it was a song of Cardi B "WAP". She laughed hard as she was about to play the music on the speaker of Matthew. He wasn't aware of which song it was. She kept it hidden while giggling and setting everything up and she said.

Lauren: "Now that's a good start, I always wanted to see that ass jiggle"

Wyatt turned at her confused and Matthew cursed under his breath. It was about to be an interesting performance.