Hello, Sugar. Hello, Star. (bubbline)

A House that is not Home

***TRIGGER WARNING***
ABUSE, BOTH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL, ARE MENTIONED IN THIS CHAPTER.

MARCY
When I got home, my father was sitting in the lounge, staring at me. This was strange. Dad never got home this early. I decided to pretend I hadn't noticed him, and started back up to my bedroom. But he didn't have that in mind.
"Marceline. Come over here." I groaned and turned around.
"What?"
"I never see you anymore, Marceline."
"Yeah, well that's your fault, and I'm thankful for it."
"Marceline."
"What? It's the truth."
"It might be, but it needs to change."
"Which part?"
"Both parts. But first, your additude. I have chances to see you plenty, but you ignore me, and then blame me for it. That isn't good for your image as my daughter. Not to mention the way you dress."
"Excuse me? This is all just for image? And it is your fault! That stupid job means you're never home! I'm so not to blame here! And don't insult my clothes! That has nothing to do with this, anyway!"
"For God's sake, Marceline. Stop victimizing yourself and work with me."
"Work with you? Victimizing myself? This is bullshit!"
"Marceline!" He was angry now. "Shut up and cooperate with me! You aren't going to go anywhere after school from now on. My boss changed my hours slightly so that I have a two hour break from three to five to spend with you. And you're going to be more respectful to me, and wear less threatening clothing." I was offended and confused. Was he forcing me to spend quality time with him?
"Dad, what's this about? What's going on? There has to be something." He sighed, like he had been dreading that question.
"I've met someone, Marceline. I have a girlfriend. And it's getting pretty serious. She's coming to live with us."
"Oh. So you don't want to spend time with me, you just want to impress your girlfriend. You still don't give a shit about me, just about how this stupid girl sees you. And I bet you didn't even change your hours for me. You just want to spend time with your girlfriend and you're using me as a prop. I get it. Nothing has changed. You're just more egotistical than before." I said it all trying to maintain a sarcastic calm tone, but my anger showed. I was furious.
"So you want me to pretend to be a goody two shoes so that this bitch thinks you're a good father. Well that's a goddamn lie and I'll make sure she knows it! Don't plan on keeping her after I've had a talk with- " I didn't have time to see him lunging toward me until I felt his fist slam into my jaw. Hard. Then again, and again, until I was on the ground. Then he kicked my stomach repeatedly while talking. He kicked with every breath.
"Don't. You. Call. Her. A. Bitch. And don't. You. DARE. Tell her ANY. Of. This." Then he crouched next to my face. "Your life is the biggest mistake I've ever made. I wish you were never born. And I don't need you screwing up the rest of my life." Then he kicked my body aside. "Now get out of here! I don't want to look at you."
~
I sat in my bedroom and cried.
I wanted to leave. I had to leave.
Dad hadn't hit me for almost two years.
Social services had been sniffing us out and dad had to drop it if he wanted to keep his job. All he ever cared about was his job. I was sure that if he wouldn't be fired for it, he would have killed me long ago. This stupid girlfriend. I didn't know who she was, but I already didn't like her because she was why he was forcing me to change. I wanted to die. No, i just needed to leave. I didn't want to be here when she moved in. That would probably make him a lot happier. I would run away. To New York City. Lots of people lived there. It would be hard to find me. I began packing my things into my backpack.
And then I remembered Bonnie.
I wanted to know Bonnie better. I wanted to be here for Bonnie. And for my music. And for moving away from dad in the future. When I had a job. Not now, when I had nothing. I cried more.
Then, I pulled out my cell phone and called Bonnie. Tomorrow was Saturday. And I wanted to see her. I needed to see her. I needed to get away from home. No, this wasn't my home. This was just a house. I needed to go to my real home. The caves. With the only person I cared about.