Shotguns and Roses

Just a normal day

Katelynn woke up with a jerk the second her alarm went off, and she quickly hit the button to turn it off.

'Oh god, that didn't wake him up, right?' the young blonde thought to herself as she got out of bed. She shuddered as soon as her feet hit the ground. Apparently, her father had a bad day yesterday and decided to take it out on her as soon as she got home from school...
                                  
                            Katelynn's POV

I looked in the mirror and sighed when I saw my reflection - there was a huge, dark, purple bruise on my cheek as a result of my father slapping me.
"Oh well... I'll just have to cover it later, I guess," I thought as I went into my bathroom, locking the door behind me. Even if there's no chance of my father being awake right now? you could never be too cautious... right? I took off my clothes and got in the shower after turning on the water and making sure it wasn't too hot. It turned red for a second as I let it run down my back and into my cuts and bruises. Sure, it stung, but I was more than used to it. I quickly washed my hair and got out, wrapping a towel around myself and drying off. I made my way over to the bathroom mirror, grabbing my hairdryer, plugging it in, and drying my hair thoroughly, making sure there were no damp spots. I then opened a drawer and started doing my makeup - I had to cover any bruises that might show through clothing along with the ones on my face, after all. It took a while, but I eventually moved on to mascara, eyeshadow, and gloss, which were the fun parts. Happy with my work, I exited the bathroom and went to my small closet.
"What to wear today..." I muttered under my breath to myself as I looked over the modest assortment of clothes. It was decently cold today, so I decided on a pair of dark skinny jeans, a thin long-sleeved shirt, and my black jacket. I then finished off the look with a simple pair of sneakers. As I grabbed some money out of the secret hiding spot in the back of my closet, I couldn't help but wryly wonder how my father thinks I pay for food. I mean, I have a "job," but he doesn't know about it - and he doesn't give me money either. Oh, and God forbid I try to get anything out of HIS fridge!!
"Whatever," I sighed, pocketing the cash before running a brush through my hair and grabbing my bag. I grabbed my phone and watch, putting my phone in my pocket and strapping my watch to my wrist. I then opened my door and silently walked through the hall. I peeked through the crack of the already ajar door of my father's room, just to check, and was relieved to see him still sleeping. I mean, it figures - it was only seven, and he doesn't have work until nine, whereas I have school at eight. I honestly just like leaving an hour early since I have to walk two miles to school. This way I can also stop and get something to eat. Most people would think walking two miles to get to school every morning would be horrible (especially when it's this cold), but it's not that bad, and I'm used to it. I crept through the living room and quietly exited through the front door, hence beginning the trek to school.

                           Timeskip
"Morning Kate!" I heard someone yell as I entered the donut shop. Looking up, I can see Amanda, one of the shop workers, whom I know pretty well. Seeing as I normally come in two or three times a week, we have become friends.
"Good morning, Amanda!" I reply in my usual sweet, bubbly voice. There was no one in the shop at the moment, so we could talk loudly and freely without fear of getting on anyone's nerves.
"How's your morning been?" I asked sweetly, a smile on my face to go right along with it.
"There's not much going on so far... What about you?" she replied, going back to the appliances she'd been cleaning before I came in.
"Oh, you know... same old same old," I tell her, not letting myself give away any of my real emotions. They didn't matter, anyway - it's not like anyone would actually care about dumb stuff like that.
"Oh, so falling out of bed yet again?" the girl joked, not looking up from her work.
"Why do you have to be so mean?!" I pretended to gripe at her. Amanda huffed at that, and moved on to the next thing.
"Anyways... what can I get you?" she asked me, looking up this time, probably finished with her task.
"Oh, so you're going to be professional now, huh?" I teased, grinning, as I looked at the menu. I'm pretty sure I could order without it, but it's always kind of comforting just to look anyway.
"Oh, shut up," she joked, and I laughed.
"Hmm... I'll take a jelly-filled donut... and a large hot cocoa, if you please," I requested, already able to taste the sweet food in my mouth. Maybe it would cover up the bitter taste that my father's actions always left in it - sometimes it works, sometimes not.
"Coming right up!" the brunette exclaimed, setting the machine to make the cocoa and grabbing the donut from the display and putting it in the little paper bag. Once the cocoa was done, she gave them to me, I paid, and lastly bid Amanda goodbye before exiting the store. I walked the rest of the way to school, drinking my hot cocoa happily. When I at last reached the school gates, I still had twenty minutes until school started, so I finished my cocoa, threw the cup into the trash, and headed to my locker for any necessary things I'd need for class. I had the routine down, meaning I was able to use the bathroom and get to homeroom with seven minutes to spare - minutes that I wisely used to prepare myself for seven hours of a different hell from the one I experienced at home.

                  Timeskip after school
'Finally,' I thought as I began walking home at four. School ended at three, but I had cheer practice, and that lasted until around four. I trekked past a park and stopped in my tracks at the sound of people - I glanced over at a happy family. This was something I so badly wanted, and I could feel a hollow pit opening up in my chest as the father threw a ball to his son, and the mother braided pretty yellow flowers into the little girl's hair. I sighed, and kept walking, unable to help remembering that this was something I'd never have.  My mother died giving birth to my twin brother and I, something my father has always hated me for. Said brother had been my only real friend early in life, but he had passed away from cancer at age eleven, leaving me completely and utterly alone with a father who hated me more than anything.
'Whatever, I can't pay attention to that right now," I yell internally at myself. 'I have "work" tonight and I can't risk getting distracted...'