Clash of the Brother-in-laws [Rumple]

By the looks people have been giving me, I must smell wonderful. And by wonderful, I mean a shit-filled gutter that has been a nesting place for rats for the past five years, and has at least ten to twelve dead cats in it. I can only imagine what I look like; probably how a shit-filled gutter with dead cats and a nest of rats in it would look. All I can do is assume, as I have not seen myself in a mirror for a few weeks.

Hell, I haven’t even been home for a few weeks. Not since that dinner with my family and Aria. I couldn’t stand being in that cold, hostile environment any longer. And I definitely couldn’t stay and listen to Aria break up with me. When I had grabbed her hand back there, her engagement ring clattered to the floor. I had looked down in shock, momentarily forgetting way it wasn’t on her finger. That’s when her words came crashing back: “And I really don’t think I can let myself be a part of this.” I dropped her hand, and had bent down to pick the ring up. I held it up to the light, and in the background I could see my family staring at me staring at it.

And that’s when it hit me.

Why was I going to force her to be with me, if she didn’t want to be? I mean, she had taken off her ring. What other sign did I need to prove that she didn’t want to marry me? I was just going to make myself look like an ass if I had to persuade her to love me.

So I left. I stood up and left. I haven’t seen my ex-fiancée or my ex-family for two weeks. I had been living off the money I had in my pocket, but that ran out a few days ago. It turns out that I’m not used to having to conserve money. I knew enough not to waste it on a hotel room; I spent a lot of time sleeping under trees and in alleys. But I was not used to being hungry. I spent too much on food. I ate like I was used to; three very large meals a day. Plus, it was getting colder so I had to buy warmer clothes. And then I had to bribe that woman who recognized me, not to turn me into my father... It didn’t take long for me to run out of money.

I put a hand on my rumbling stomach, and screwed my eyes shut to ward off the wave of dizziness I knew was coming. I counted backwards in my head, realizing that it had been at least two days since I had last eaten. I needed to beg, borrow, or steal if I planned to continue living. Thus far I had resisted dumpster diving, but I wouldn’t be above that humiliation soon. I had already stolen a half-eaten sandwich off a table, so the next logical step is taking it from the trash. It’s not like I could get any dirtier. I haven’t had a proper shower since I left, and I stop rising off in the creak when it started getting below freezing at night. Having frozen hair only reminds me of meeting a certain someone.

The dizziness never comes, and I open my eyes cautiously, as if my body is faking me out and is just waiting for me to let my guard down. But I don’t get jumped by any fits of dizziness, so I decide that I’m safe for at least the time being. I try to run a hand through my hair but it’s too knotted and way to greasy to get far. I make a sound of disgust and resolve to at least wash my hair out in a sink at some bar. Anything would help the matted mess on my head. I should shave it off if I ever get a chance. Actually, that’s not a bad idea… Aria had loved it long.

I look around at the alley that I had been sleeping in for three nights. I shared it with a stray dog and a family of rats. My bed was made up of rags and rocks, and my blanket was cardboard, but I must say, I was more comfortable here than in that mansion. I did in my pocket and pull out Aria’s engagement ring. I hold it out to the light, watching the fat diamond sparkle in the light. It seemed like such an extravagance now. Why’d I have to buy such an ostentatious ring, when a simple one would have worked just the same in its place?

I’ve thought about selling it. But I just can’t bring myself to do it. I still love her, even though I know it’s dumb. But it’s the only thing I have left.

I wave of dizziness takes me again, and I sway on my feet. I accidently let go of the ring, and it bounces out of the alleyway and lands on the sidewalk. I throw myself after it, landing right in front of someone who I recognize immediately. I blink up at him, a sick feeling bubbling in my stomach. "Hey Liam."