FRAGILE STRENGTH

FRAGILE STRENGTH CHAPTER FOUR

Violet's pov— The pain is unbearable. I don't know how my body is still enduring the physical abuse they put me through. I can't move my body until i didn't realize i fall asleep in the floor and after hour's i woke up .

[Morning]

Violet's pov— Even though I wasn't feeling well, I still went to school. I wore a jacket to cover my bruises. My lip was wounded, too. I was 30 minutes late, and I knew I’d be in trouble with my teacher.

[School]

Violet: I'm sorry, I'm late.

Professor: You still bothered to show up? Where are your parents?

Classmate 1: She has the nerve to come in late.

Classmate 2: Yeah, and look at her—she looks like she hasn't showered.

Classmate 1: It’s all for show,ma'am.

Violet: Ma'am, may I sit down? My legs are feeling very weak and tired.

Professor: Oh, I’m so sorry for you. I’ve been standing here for a long time. You haven't even been standing for five minutes and you're already complaining?

(Classmates laugh)

Violet's pov— It was true, my legs were aching. They still hurt from when my father kicked me. Luckily, our long skirts hide the bruises on my legs.

Professor: Follow me to the guidance office later.

Violet: Why, ma'am?

Professor: I’ve been asking for your parents for a long time, Violet. You’re late, and yet you have the nerve to complain about your legs.

Violet: I’m sorry, ma'am.

Professor: Just stand there. Do not sit down.

Violet: Okay, ma'am.

Violet's pov— She continued her lecture while I just stood there. People outside the room were staring at me. My legs and my bruises hurt so much. They haven't even healed, and more are just being added. My vision started to blur, and I felt very dizzy. I tried to act like I was okay, but then everything went dark.

[Clinic]

Violet's pov— I woke up in the clinic. My head still ached, and the dizziness hadn't gone away.

Nurse: How are you feeling, dear?

Violet: Did I faint?

Nurse: Yes, you did. May I ask where those bruises came from?

Violet's pov— I realized I wasn't wearing my jacket anymore.

Violet: Oh, these? (pointing my bruises) I fell down the stairs.

Nurse: That doesn't look like a fall down the stairs. You have so many bruises. That’s why you lost consciousness.

Violet's pov—I couldn't say anything else. I couldn't think of any more excuses.

Nurse: Take this medicine; you have a fever. Have you eaten?

Violet: Not yet.

Nurse: It's a good thing I saved some rice and food here.

Violet: Thank you.

[After class]

Violet's pov— It suddenly started raining hard. I didn't have an umbrella, and I couldn't go with my classmates because they would just push me away. No one wanted to come near me. I waited for an hour for the rain to stop, but it only got stronger. I knew my father and brother would be looking for me. They would be furious, and they’d hurt me again once I got home. Since there were fewer students left, I decided to go home despite the heavy rain. I covered myself with my jacket, but it wasn't enough.

[Home/while raining]

Violet's pov— When I arrived, the gate was locked. I started shouting and calling for them, but no one opened it. I knew they were all awake inside. I started to cry because I was soaking wet, felt sick, and was very dizzy. My body wanted to rest. I had no choice but to sit in front of the gate, crying. "What kind of life is this? Why is it so cruel to me?" I cried until I was exhausted, shivering from the cold. I still hoped someone would open the gate for me.