chapter 2
519 Words
The loud banging on the door tightened me awake.
i glanced at the clock -7:25 A .M.
shit.
I overslept.Dad much be furious.
I rushed to brush my teeth,threw on ripped jeans and sprinted to the kitchen.
Dad stood there,his face empty and cold.The movement he saw me,he stepped forward and grabbed my hair in his fist.
"Done with your beauty sleep?" he mocked.
"Sorry, dad .My alarm didn't work . I'll make coffee-"
"Shut your dammed mouth,"he shouted."I didn't keep you in my house so you can do whatever you want.Next time you mess up, your ugly a*s is out of here.Do you understand?"
Tears slid down to my cheeks as i froze.
He yanked my hair again and slapped me hard.I fell to the floor,no sound escaping my lips .My cheeks burned as it turned purple.
He bent down,his voice was low and dangerous .
"Did i make myself clear?"
"yes,i whispered .
"Good,now get out".
I ran to my room and locked the door .In the bathroom mirror,three fingerprint marks stared back to me.My face stung as i washed it and covered the brusies with concelar .
My eyes were red and swollen.
Fuck my life.
I grabbed my things and took the bus . Halfway there,my phone buzzed.
Lynn: Are you coming, hope ? You are not in school.
Me: I'm okay . Running late just because of dad.On the way. I'll tell you later.
Lynn: okay.See you soon.
I reached school gate.great job,hope.
Lynn was waiting for me .The movement she saw my face,her expression changed.
"Oh god , hope . Again?" she whispered."Your face is swollen."
"I'm okay , lee ," I said quickly ."I'm used to it."
"They are still visible ,"she said gently."But they'll fade away.Come on- class is starting."
Math class dragged on,my mind drifting back to the second grade- the first time I was bullied.
"She's so fat".
"If she falls, people will die."
"Elephant."
I remembered running away, wishing my mom was there to hold me.
The bell rang.
"You okay?" Lynn asked.
"Yes , i lied with a small smile." Let's eat . I'm starving."
In the canteen, dylan sat at his usual table, holding hands with a beautiful girl -Ash .I looked away, pretending it didn't hurt.
We were eating when dylan walked over.
He started at my face."Who did this to you?"
I didn't answer.
"Never mind ,he said coldly ."I don't care .
just don't look at me.Got it.?"
"Yes"
A month passed in studying.
one month later
Exams finally ended.
"We're free!" Lynn shouted.
"Finally",i laughed.
Dylan and his group walked past us.
"Don't ever show your face again,"he sneered.
"Careful dylan," one of his friend laughed."She might cry".
"Leave her alone,"Lynn snapped.
"Whatever," Dylan muttered, walking away.
That evening ,I walked home alone .The sky was dark,birds returning to their nests, Cool Air brushing my skin.
I unlocked the door-but it was already open.
Dad never comes home this early.
My heart raced .I picked up a vase and stepped inside.
Then I saw the person standing there.
My face lit up.
- Writer
