Wonderful

By Amazon

Rowen shut the door behind him, putting his books down on his desk and his coat in his closet. He knew it would start soon, as soon as his parents got home, the fighting would start. He heard the front door open and slam shut once. Then twice. His parents were home. He leaned against the door and shut his eyes.

I close my eyes when I get too sad

I think thoughts that I know are bad

Close my eyes and count to ten

Hope it's over when I open them

The sounds of his parents raging reached his ears but he shut them out. He desperately wanted everything to be wonderful again.

I want things that I had before

Like a Star Wars poster on my bedroom door

I wish I could count to ten

Make everything be wonderful again

Rowen approached his desk and sat in the chair. He digged through the desk drawers and pulled out a picture. The frame was silver and the glass was cracked. He ran his hands over the glass, fingering the crack. The picture was from eleven years ago. The little boy in the picture held his parent's hands, they were smiling. The perfect family. His once perfect family.

Hope my mom and I hope my dad

Will figure out why they get so mad

Hear them scream, I hear them fight

Say bad words that make me wanna cry,

Rowen rubbed the bruise above his temple. Once again his mom left and his dad drowned his anger in alcohol. Rowen had learned that being quiet when his dad was drunk was a lifesaver or his dad would yell or even hit him. He collapsed on the bed, not even bothering to turn out the lights, as silent sobs racked his body.

Close my eyes when I go to bed

And I dream adventures that will make me smile

I feel better when I hear them say

Everything will be wonderful somebody

"Hey, Ro! Wait up!"

Rowen looked over his shoulder to see Sage running to catch up. He tugged his headband lower to cover up the bruise.

"Ready for school?" Sage asked. Rowen nodded, not speaking. The movement seemed to have moved the headband up somehow because Sage saw the bruise. "Rowen, what happened?" Concern was etched into the blonde's face.

"Just hit my head on my desk, nothing serious," Rowen lied. "You know how I fall asleep easily." He tried for a smile. Sage nodded, though not convinced. He knew that the bruises were from Rowen's father and not from hitting his head on the desk.

I go to school and I run and play

I tell the kids that it's all okay

I like to laugh so my friends won't know

When the bell rings I just don't wanna go home

"Ro, do you want to come to my house tonight?" Sage asked as he pushed his hair out of his face. Rowen shook his head.

"I need to get dinner started and do my homework. Maybe this weekend."

"Rowen." Sage's tone was commanding and Rowen stopped instinctively. "You can't stay in the same house as that drunkard. Look at what he does to you." Sage grabbed Rowen's arm and pushed up the shirt sleeve. Bruises and half-healed cuts latticed his arm. Rowen jerked his arm away from his friend.

He stared at the bruises and cuts. "I-I can't Sage, you just. You just DON'T UNDERSTAND!"

Sage stared at Rowen's retreating back as the blue haired boy ran.

Rowen slammed the door to his home shut and ran to his room. He sat on his bed, tears streaming down his cheeks as he hugged his arm to his chest. "I just don't understand."

Go to my room and I close my eyes

I make believe I have a new life

I don't believe you when you say

Everything will be wonderful again