Chapter4
1379 Words
“ Where… where am I ?" My voice cracked as I forced my eyes open. My head hurt like it was on fire.
This wasn't the night I remembered. I was supposed to be in Olivia’s house, but it didn’t look like it.
The beeping machine hummed beside me, and the sharp scent of antiseptic filled my nose. My heart jumped in my throat as I realized where I was.
.
“Thank God you're awake,” Mother sat beside me, patting my hair.
“Ouch!” I groaned, struggling to turn.
“What …happened to me?” I whispered.
“ Your father did this! You…you fainted!" She responded, almost defeated.
I sighed and looked out the window, the morning rays shining on my face. My lips trembled, about to burst out, but the tears refused to fall.
“Wh— why didn't you stop him?” My voice quavered and I kept facing the window.
Mother's heart sank, and tears blurred her vision.
“ Honey, I tried to—.” She explained.
The doors flung open, and a middle-aged man with a white coat walked in.
“ Amy, how are you feeling?” he leaned closer to examine me.
I cleared my throat, forcing myself to sit upright.
“ I ... I don't know? My head hurts real bad."
“ I’m sorry, okay? He said softly.
I nodded weakly, sinking back to the bed. My mind would not rest. I kept replaying the moments before the disaster trying to remember how it happened.
But I ran fast, how did he catch me? Did I stumble?
The thought of the leather belt flung on my head made my body shiver.
The doctor’s lips moved slowly, almost like a whisper. He said something to mother that I struggled to hear.
My eyes did not slip away from his, they stayed wide open, waiting to hear something shocking.
“ How long am I going to be here? I cut in.
The doctors face
“Not to worry,” he said softly.
“In a few days you will feel better,”
“But be careful when you run down the stairs,” he shot me a playful look before leaving.
I paused to look at Mother. “What did he mean by that?”
“ I can't believe you lied to the doctor, I frowned and shook my head.
Wh…why? Just why…? So I ran down the stairs and bumped my head. That’s how I fainted?
Mother's hands were on her chest.” Honey, you would not understand.
“ So where is he?
Her gaze fell to the floor and she did not say a word.
My lips trembled, and I blinked hard, trying to hold back tears.
I stared blank at the door, the paint clung weakly, flaking each time someone touched it. Everything about it looked tired the same way I was.
So Father did not have any pity to at least check on me?
Days passed, yet he did not show up nor did he call.
Mother said if he ever did, she was not going to let him in. Regardless, I did not believe her.
Any time the door creaked, my chest tightened. I hoped it would be him… I wish it was him. But it wasn't, only nurses and my friend Olivia.
She was the only one who came by. Well, I did tell her I fell down the stairs when she asked.
I could not say Father did this to me. Guess I understand why Mother lied.
Soon I felt better, I could laugh without my head hurting.
After class, I strode down the hallway. The hallway buzzed with the loud chatter of students.
Lockers slammed, and footsteps pressed on the floor.
“ Amy.” I heard my name.
Lucas walked up to me,
“ I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
I smiled, not saying a word, then we continued walking. The silence between us was louder than the noise in the hallway.
Honestly, I did not know what to say, I could only respond if he asked a question.
“ So…, you must be excited about the NCC(National Cheerleading Competition)he glanced at me.
My stomach twisted. Of all things, did he have to mention the NCC?
“ I am,” I nodded faintly.
The competition was in 3 days, and I was not excited at all. I wanted to be captain and get recognition, but now Samantha would be taking the spotlight.
She had everything I could only dream of.
“ Are you okay?” Lucas' voice snapped me back to reality.
I inhaled deeply, my face dull.
“Lucas, I’ll see you later.” I walked to the bathroom nervously.
My mood had changed, and I did not feel good.
I looked at myself in the mirror, tears rolling down my cheeks.
I’m not pretty. Maybe if I looked like her, Daniel wouldn't treat me like he did.
I cried my eyes out till there were no tears left.
Why… Why can’t I just be like her? She has the perfect life I could never have.
I sat on the floor, resting my head on the wall. It was time for cheer practice, and I was unsure I would attend.
The whistle shrieked across the gym, sharp enough to make me waver.
My eyes still burned even after I washed my face.
Maybe some things don’t fade that easily.
Coach Harper instructed Samantha to take over practice today, because the competition was around the corner. She wanted to see how Samantha would lead the team.
Samantha gave me a wicked smile that made my eyes dart elsewhere.
My legs trembled, and I should have walked out the door with coach Harper.
Why today?
“ Can’t you do a simple stunt?” She barked, stepping closer.
“No wonder you didn’t become captain.”
A lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed hard, pushing tears back.
I could not talk back at her, I did not have the guts to.
Some of the girls argued that I did well, and to my surprise, she drove them out.
I did the stunt again, but she shook her head and laughed.
No matter how hard I tried, she was never going to admit it. Instead, she rolled her eyes, her lips parting in a frown.
I sighed, the only thing she wanted was to make fun of me in front of everyone.
I was frustrated, but I kept trying to do what she called “ a perfect stunt.”
Some of the girls sat on the mat, their chins resting in their palms as they watched me.
I was literally the only one practicing.
They gossiped among themselves, their eyes flicking towards me every second.
It was clear Samantha was doing all these on purpose.
My face reddened,
I looked like a clown repeating those stunts. She always makes a fool of me.
“ I didn't tell you to stop!” Samantha’s voice crashed down like a sudden thunderstorm.
I froze, a wave of fear flushed through me threatening to spill.
“I need to rest, my legs ache,” I said weakly and sat on the floor.
My heart hammered as I kept my gaze down, bracing myself for whatever came.
“ I don't care !"she snapped.
But there was no way I could continue, even if I tried.
My legs burned. She made me do the same stunt over and over, yet she wasn't satisfied.
What more did she want from me?
“ Just let her rest for a minute,” Emily, one of the teammates spoke.
“Shut your mouth or leave!" Samantha hissed with a sharp stare.
Why did she always do this to me?
Emily scoffed and left the place without thinking for a second.
I hugged my knees, sitting there, tired and helpless.
The girls who supported Samantha, raised voices, urging me to get up and do what she asked.
Shame crawled up my neck wanting to sprout as I tried to lift myself up. I…had never felt so small…, If only I could stand up for myself—.
“ Bang!” My head whacked to the ground, and a rush of pain shot through me.
- Writer
