Haven

So Far (will be splitting the chapters later)

Summer was half over. Now usually teens hate it when they know that school is coming up. I, on the other hand, counted down the days. I would finally get a break from my brother, who was going to a high private school, while I went to public school.

"Xera! You better stop doing those push-ups and come down here, or I'm going to come up there and seriously ruin you, and maybe even give you a few scars..." I heard my brothers voice call from down the stairs. I groaned in aggravation, letting my body land on the floor. I laid there for a few moments, dreading what would happen when down to see what my brother wanted.

"Xera!" Zak called again, and I groaned again and got onto my feet and walked to the kitchen. "I was right, wasn't I? Push ups?" He smirked. Oh, how badly I've wanted to wipe that smirk off his face. Once punch, thats all it would take, but mom and dad would have my head on a golden platter. Zak was the favorite. The elder of the two of us. He got everything he wanted, from new Nike's on his feet to the Corvette parked outside.

I rolled my eyes, walking to the fridge to grab a protein shake for the morning.

"Just had the last one. Sorry, thought we had more." He said, but the smile on his face said otherwise. He wasn't as much a brother, as a fake abusive father.

Calming myself a little, I turned. He called me down here, and hadn't yet told me why. "What do you need Zak?"

"Well, I have a date tonight. Cryn's wanting to go, but has no one to take." He smirked slightly. I had to resist the urge to punch him in the face.

"Let me guess, you want me to be his date." I finished, not even bothering to make it a question. It took willpower to not act like a know-it-all. If I did that, I'd be dead meat.

"Hey, look at that. You actually guessed right. Maybe you do have a brain." Zak smirked, and looked at the five hundred dollar watch on his wrist. As I said, golden child. "We're going to the beach. Cryn will be here in about an hour and a half. Then we're going and picking up Megan. You have that much time to be ready."

I started to walk out of the kitchen, but Zak called after me in a teasing manner. "Oh Xera? Aren't you forgetting something?" He grinned maniacally. Trying to hide my anger, I turned back and bowed low.

"I apologize, King Zak. Thank you for your gracious invitation to this date." I hissed between clenched teeth. I stood straight and talked out the kitchen.

Stupid Zak, he always thought he was better. One day, I'll show him how wrong he was. Our parents were almost always gone on business trips. So Zak could get away with nearly anything. Most of the time, I was just grateful and glad he didn't rape me or something. But then, I would remember that he does have a brain, and isn't that stupid.

I walked to my room, nearly slammed the door, and almost ripped my tank top and shorts as I yanked them off. Then I leaned against the door and slid to the ground, holding back tears.

This was my life. For the whole seventeen years I'd been alive, almost every second was torture. I've had to let Zak step all over me, use me, abuse me, while I've had to stay quiet and let him. I never went anywhere, did anything, saw anyone. I stayed home, in my room, unless he pulled me out to go on a date with one of his friends or to cook for him.

I remember one time where I actually had a friend. She had invited me to her birthday party, just a year ago. I had begged my parents to let me go, but they said they wouldn't be home and that Zak would be the one to determine if I could go. Despite my efforts, he said no. He even said no to three hundred dollars I offered. When I had to tell my friend I wasn't allowed to go, she asked why. I told her my brother would be in charge, and that he said I couldn't. And after that, she never spoke to me again.