The Abused Girl |Old Version|

Chapter Two

MY EYES FLUTTERED open as I felt someone gently shove me.

I groggily opened my eyes and looked up to see Victoria looking at me, her face pinched in a disdainful expression. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back, her light blue eyes narrowed on me, her lips pursed in a thin line. I looked up at her with bleary eyes before I felt scrutinized under her gaze and looked away.

"The bell rang." She informed me shortly before turning on her heel and walking off, without even giving me a chance to thank her. Although I was surprised she even woke me up at all. I was expecting her and my other classmates to leave me asleep in my seat. It was something they had done before. I had felt humiliated when finally, another teacher shook me awake and told me to sign out and go home.

I sighed and pushed my seat back, the legs scraping against the floor. I stood up, grabbing my books and clutched them close to my small frame. Every single muscle in my body ached and protested with each step I took. I  felt like I was using nearly all my energy just to keep myself upright. I stepped outside the classroom, noticing all the students crowding the hallways to get their books for their next classes.

I went the opposite direction to everyone, and headed outside instead. The majority of the students crowded inside the cafeteria. I tried sitting in there a few times, but after too many 'accidents' of food landing on me, I decided outside was probably a lot safer.

I squinted as the sun shone harshly in my eyes, but I simply didn't have the energy to lift my had to cover my face. I sat down carefully and pulled out my lunch as I ate at my normal spot for lunch, behind a tree. I missed the days I had friends to sit and laugh with. A large part of me regretted breaking off my friendships with all of them. I never could have imagined how lonely my life would become without them. I felt a familiar ache in my heart as I thought back over some of the times we hung out. Their smiles, laughs and jokes flashed through my mind. I remembered the day they found me hiding by the staircase by myself. I was trying to hide from them, so I could slowly break off the friendship without hurting them. And as the weeks passed, the more I ignored them. . . the lonelier I became.

"Ana?"

My head snapped up to see my three friends standing a few feet away from me, their hands crossed over their chests. Marielle, the one I was closest to, watched me with a deep frown as she took in my cowering frame. Lily and Sophie stood slightly behind her, silently observing.

Marielle took a few hesitant steps forward and bent down so she was eye-level with me. She peered at me softly with her hazel eyes and outstretched a hand. I flinched away from her as my body began to tremble.

"Ana." She repeated softly. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head as I willed myself to stop shaking. This was Marielle, the girl I had been best friends with for years. Why was I acting like I was afraid of her?

"You haven't sat with us in weeks," she said sadly, inching back a little. I breathed a sigh of relief the further away she got. "We're all worried about you."

"There's nothing wrong," I finally spoke, my voice coming out raspy. Clearing my throat, I looked up at her, hopefully, convincingly, and smiled as wide as I could. "Absolutely nothing."

"You've been crying," Marielle noted, her eyes scanning over my face worriedly. "You've been disappearing for weeks now and you won't even answer my texts or calls anymore. You don't laugh or smile. You barely even look at me. You're like a completely different person."

I felt like a dagger had just been pierced through my heart. I was becoming exactly like my mother. I was beginning to understand her more and more. The desire to lock myself in my room and simply just cry for hours was overwhelming.

"I don't know what you mean." I lied.

"We care about you," Marielle continued. She gently placed her hand on my shoulder, squeezing it comfortingly. "Whatever you're going through, you don't have to do it alone."

In that moment, I nearly opened up. I wanted to collapse in her arms, crying and let her know how my life had turned into a personal hell. I wanted to tell her all about my father and what he did to me. I wanted to tell her about Devin leaving me. I wanted to tell her about how empty I felt. I wanted to tell her everything.

But instead, I smiled and shook my head. "I'm fine."

I sighed and chomped on the small apple I stole from the kitchen. John always seemed to notice when I took things from there, and while I knew this would likely result in a beating later, I needed something to eat to give me some bit of energy. I relaxed my body, slumping against the tree, basking in the warm sunlight. I closed my eyes, listening to the sweet chirping of the birds. The warm breeze brushed over me and I found myself at ease. It was one of the few times where I truly felt relaxed and tranquil.

However, I was soon interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. My eyes snapped open quickly as I jumped, my heart racing. My body tensed as I looked up, locking my eyes with the person standing in front of me.

Warm and open brown eyes stared back innocently at me and I frowned as the boy stood there. I didn't recognize the boy standing with his hands stuffed in his jean pockets. He had freckles scattered all over his tanned face. His broad shoulders and bulging muscles indicated he was strong and liked to work out often. He had quite an angular face, making him look probably slightly older than he actually was. His big build instinctively made me inch away and left me feeling wary.

"Can I help you?" I asked softly when he didn't speak first. I dug my nails into skin in attempt to calm myself down.

The boy finally smiled kindly at me and I blinked at how friendly he looked. He pointed to the spot beside me. "Can I sit with you?"

I stared at him confusingly as he stood there, waiting patiently for my answer. Why was he asking to sit beside me? Did he not realize who I was? Was he new? Did he want something from me? After a few moments of silently staring, I slowly nodded my head. I shifted slightly to the side making some room for him. The boy grinned brightly at me, showing off his pearly white teeth before gently sitting down across from me, crossing his legs. He pulled open his brown paper bag that he had been clutching in his hand.

"Thank God," He said, smiling. "I'm kind of new and I haven't made any friends yet, but at the same time I didn't want to sit inside because there's just so many people in there so I came out here and saw you."

My eyebrows raised a little bit at how quickly he spoke. He had a deep voice, but he had a friendly face that made talking to him seem easy and welcoming. I couldn't help but c**k my head to the side as I examined him in curiosity.

"Ah. . ." I muttered, averting my eyes. My body was on edge, even though I was nearly certain he wouldn't do anything to me.

Without warning, he stuck out his hand and I flinched in surprise before he looked at me apologetically. "I'm Daniel." He said brightly. "Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable," He frowned, furrowing his brows. "I can leave if you want me to -"

I gave him a minuscule smile as I felt shy around him. "No, it's okay," I placed my hand in his hesitantly and shook it gently. "My name is Anastasia." I mumbled, picking at the grass.

"That's a nice name," He complimented and I felt my cheeks burn. "My name is so boring." He groaned and opened his foiled sandwich, taking a bite. "I haven't met anyone called Anastasia before."

I quickly learnt that Daniel was talkative. He spent most of the lunch chatting away to me, although I didn't contribute much to the basically one-sided conversation. However, it was a nice change for once to have someone to have lunch with. He didn't seem to mind as he chatted on, telling me about his old friends, family, hobbies. I noticed he often got sidetracked, like when talking about one topic he could easily get distracted and start on another topic. While he did speak a lot, I didn't mind. It was different, but a good kind of different. It was almost relaxing to hear him speak.

"Why are you sitting here?" I asked curiously, as Daniel finally stopped talking to scoff down his lunch.

He ran his fingers through his soft looking brown hair and shrugged, "You looked lonely," He said, "And besides, you don't look like a b***h like half of the people inside," He snorted and then after a moment he quickly added, "No offense to them, or anything."

I peered up at him, squinting. Was he naturally this nice and talkative to people he didn't know? It baffled me. He baffled me.

"What's your surname?" He asked after a moment of silence.

I narrowed my eyes at him. Why did he want to know? I was naturally paranoid but I shook the feeling away and answered him. "Montez." I mumbled. I took another bite from my apple and looked away again.

His eyebrows rose. "Hey, your father wouldn't happen to be -"

"John Montez from the Montez Association?" I finished bitterly but cleared my throat when he shot me a strange look.

"Yeah," He replied, "Sorry, it's just my parents worked with your father for some time this year. They wouldn't shut up about how nice he was." He said smiling.

I let out a light snort but Daniel didn't seem to hear. It was surprising to heart John actually being nice to someone, but then again, I knew that this was a part of his façade. He tricked people and had them believe he was one thing when he was clearly the other. It made me feel sick when I heard the nightly conversations with his friends, bragging about how he tricked another couple into giving him more money. He cheated so many innocent and naive people just to earn more money even though he was already rich himself.

"Do you sit here everyday by yourself?" He asked, looking at me with interest.

I shrugged weakly. "I guess," I replied, "I like the quietness."

"Sorry if I ruined that," he laughed sheepishly and scratched the back of his neck. "You should have just told me to shut up. I tend to keep talking unless you do."

I couldn't help but feel a smile tug at my lips. "No, it was actually nice for a change to have someone to talk to."

His face lit up and he smiled brightly. "Would you mind if I sat here tomorrow then?"

I looked at him with curiosity. "You want to sit with me again?" I asked him quietly and disbelievingly. Although, I knew by tomorrow he would probably hear all the horrible things that were said about me and rethink his decision.

"Of course," Daniel grinned, showing off his white teeth. "I like sitting here with you. It's very relaxing." He noted.

I frowned at him but shrugged. "If you want to, then sure." I mumbled, still quite not understanding. I noticed the pain in my stomach had decreased a lot, and my head felt a lot clearer. It was in that moment that I heard the loud shrill of the bell and I sighed.

"Is lunch over already?" Daniel asked, looking annoyed. "That was barely ten minutes,"

My lips twitched. "It's been nearly half an hour Daniel."

He playfully rolled his eyes. "Pfft. Yeah right."

"Well your rambling made it feel like two hours," I teased, ducking my head. Was that too mean to say?

There was a pause and I lifted my head, getting ready to apologize, before I stopped as I noticed him grinning.

"What?" I asked shyly, feeling embarrassed.

"You're so adorable!" He let out a laugh. "Don't worry, you can joke around me like that. I don't get offended easily."

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear timidly. I felt more at ease around him. He let out a calming aura and I got the feeling he wasn't someone who was a threat to me.

Daniel let out a dramatic sigh. "Come on then. Let's get going. I don't want to be late on my first few days here."

He began walking ahead but stopped when he noticed I wasn't beside him. "Do you not have class?" He asked, c*****g his head to one side in curiosity.

"I-I..." I stuttered, looking away from his inquisitive stare. I swallowed thickly. "You shouldn't be seen with me in there." I said quietly, nodding my head towards the school.

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "What? Why not?"

I averted my eyes. "I'm not exactly very well liked." I said quietly. "It'll be better for you if you're not seen with the schools freak." I muttered.

His brows furrowed as he took a step towards me. "You're not a freak Anastasia." He said sternly, a serious expression taking over his once smiling face.

"Just listen to me Daniel." I sighed and sent him a sad smile. "Thank you for sitting with me today." He opened his mouth to object but I shook my head at him. I quickly turned around, walking away. I knew that he be subjected to the bullying I received.  It was easier this way for the both of us. I didn't want Daniel to become a victim of the horrible treatment I received on a daily basis and while I had thoroughly enjoyed lunch today, it was a once off thing.

Because I didn't deserve friends.

~~~

SCHOOL WAS FINALLY over and I couldn't have been gladder. The day seemed to drag on slowly after lunch. The classes seemed longer than usual and I couldn't have been happier when I heard the familiar shrill of the bell, indicating school was over.

I sighed and softly thumped my head against my locker. Why was life so difficult? Pulling back, I opened my locker, carelessly shoving some of my books inside. I glanced down at my watch. It was nearly four. I had enough time to get home before John and prepare his dinner. I shut my locker and I winced as I hauled my heavy bag over my shoulder and exited the school.

It was roughly a ten-minute walk home and I speed walked to make it home earlier to make dinner for John. I threw my bag inside the door and despite my body's protests, I rushed into the kitchen and started preparing dinner. I started getting nervous and I felt nauseous as I decided to make pasta and some sauce with it. Everything had to be perfect, because I could not take another beating today.

Glancing at the clock, I knew he would be home soon. My hands began to tremble as I set out his plate and popped open a cold beer for him. I took out a strainer, pouring the pasta out and quickly grabbed his plate, placing a decent sized amount out for him. I grabbed a big spoon and poured a generous amount of sauce on top and placed his plate on the table. Beads of sweat gathered on my forehead as I constantly glanced at the time.

Suddenly, I heard the door slam open and my body immediately went into a panic-like state. I took a few calming breaths as the daunting sound of his heavy boots came closer and closer.

"Hey!" He roared. "My dinner better be ready!" He shouted and I my body began to tense up. I gripped the edge of the counter tightly, my knuckles turning white.

He finally came stomping into the kitchen, swinging the door open violently. He was already glaring at me, his eyes His black suit was ironed to perfection and he roughly grabbed his tie, loosening it. His eyes slowly trailed over me and then at the food. The room fell silent as I held my breath, waiting for him to speak.

"What. Is. This." He said lowly. His eyes narrowed dangerously and I could feel myself starting to panic. I knew that look in his eyes, it was one I had seen too often and I silently prayed in my head that he decided to leave me off today.

Please don't.

Not again.

"I-it's pasta." I stuttered.

"I thought I said I wanted meat tonight?" He growled and started inching towards me. I started backing up, away from him. My eyes widened and I started pleading with him, "I-I'm sorry I can make some now-"

He raised a hand and roughly slapped me across the face. My back hit the the fridge as I staggered backwards from the force of his hit.

"You think this is acceptable?!" He growled, marching towards me. I held up my hands pleadingly, begging him to stay away. "I RAISED YOU, YOU UNGRATEFUL b***h!" He spat angrily. "All I ask is for some dinner, yet you can't even manage to that simple f*****g task?"

The loud SMACK! of his hand against my cheek echoed through the small kitchen. I fell to the floor, clutching my cheek. My eyes brimmed with tears, and one by one, they dropped down my cheek. I began whimpering and covering my head when John started circling around me like I was the prey, and he was the predator getting ready to pounce.

Suddenly, without warning, a foot slammed into my side and I cried out in pain, "Why can't you do ANYTHING right?!" His loud voice filled the small kitchen as I curled into a ball in an attempt to protect myself.

I couldn't reply as he kept hitting me with his boot. The pointed tip digging into my ribs. The pain was nearly unbearable, and I couldn't stop sobbing. "Please stop!" I cried, pleading with him. "You're hurting me, please!"

But he wouldn't listen. He never did. He was in a drunken rage. He dragged me up by my hair and threw me across the floor of the kitchen. I let out a whimper when my back slammed into a handle of a press.

John marched towards me, his eyes blazing, "You good for nothing stupid f*****g bitch." He hissed.

He stopped and stared at me for a moment, his eyes raking over me as I looked up at him from the floor. He seemed to falter for a moment as he took in my bloodied form. He froze for a second his hand mid air ready to hit me again. Slowly, he lowered his hand. He blinked quickly a few times, before he finally backed away from me and glared down at me.

"When I get back, I want this house clean and my dinner on the table," He hissed and I nodded my head frantically. He sneered at me before he turned away from me then and left the house, slamming the door behind him. My body shook violently as I placed my face in my hands.

Would this torture ever end?

Weakly, I pushed myself upright, bits blood all over my hands and top. I sniffled, clutching the counter to steady myself. I hauled myself over to the bathroom, flipping the light on with my elbow. I grimaced at the sight of me. My hair was a mess and knotted. My face looked drawn as tear stains were evident. The top corner of my top was a little ripped. A large hand print was printed across my right cheek.

I sighed and turned on the tap, tying up my hair in a bun. I splashed my face with water, relishing in the cooling sensation. I peeled off my dirty top and pulled on an oversized clean white one. I washed my hands clean before exiting the bathroom.

The house was eerily silent again. I walked slowly back into the kitchen, my eyes taking in the disaster that had occurred. I sighed as I saw the plate of the food that had fallen from the table. The shards of glass were all over the floor, the pasta and sauce plastered all over the floor. Carefully, I opened cupboard and began sweeping up the pieces of glass, avoiding stepping on any pieces. I swept them up, dumping them in the bin before cleaning up the food. I scrubbed the blood stains from the floor and within half an hour, you would never guess what had happened here.

If only it was that easy to forget.