Joy Comes In The Morning

Chapter 1 Alex

  "Wake up mistake!" Is the first thing I hear in the morning. I open my eyes drowsily and slowly sit up in the dopey air mattress. My cousin Elena glares at me from the doorway of my room. Yeah, COUSIN. Not sister, not friend. COUSIN. You see, my parents died in a car crash just over a week ago. And before i'd had any time to grieve peacefully and process the news I was sent to live with my aunt and uncle. Unfortunately, they beat me until I bled sometimes and hated me deeply. And they had a daughter (Elena) who also hated me deeply. But growing up, Elena and I had been best friends. However, one day I had decided to come out to her and confess my sexuality, which turned out to be gay. BIG mistake. It turned out that Elena was super homophobic. SO after that day, her whole attitude towards me changed drastically and she started calling me names like faggot, gay boy, and mistake. Eventually, I grew up to hate her like she hates me.

  I glance up at my cousin. "Do you need something Elena?" I ask sleepily, running a hand through my messy hair.

  She scowls. "My mom told me to come tell you to get ready. You have school today." 

  Oh. Yeah. I think as I push the covers away and swing my legs over the side of my dopey mattress. I hop to the ground noiselessly. Today is August fourth, the first day of school. I'll be starting as a sophomore this year. Elena is a senior, but she goes to a different school because she can't stand the thought of people knowing we're related. 

  Elena stares at me for a few minutes. "I'm picking your clothes, since you have absolutely no taste in the latest fashion," she says suddenly, walking over to and entering my big walk-in closet. 

  Ugh. I think, frustrated. Of course, I didn't want her to pick out clothes for me seeing as I was fifteen-years-old, but I knew better than to argue. Elena would beat me to a pulp if I even dared. She's done it before, MANY times. I actually have bruises all all over my back from getting beaten up so hard. 

  Elena exits my closet a few minutes later, carrying a bundle of black and white. "I better see these on you today," she threatens. "Or i'll give you another skin decoration." She's referring to my bruises. 

  I scowl at the floor but nod obediently. Damn, I hate her so much. She's always threatening and bullying me. And I'm to weak to defend myself.

  Elena smirks as if she'd read my mind and throws my clothes on my mattress. "Be ready in twenty minutes. Mom's making me drive you. If you're even a minute late you're walking." she hisses. 

  I don't answer her. Instead, I pick up my clothes and head towards my bathroom.

  I rush into the kitchen just as the clock turns to 7:45 A.M. 

  Elena sits at the kitchen table on her phone. She looks up when I enter. "Well if it isn't Mr gay boy," she sneers, looking disgusted. "Ugh, and on time too. I was SO hoping you'd get to walk today." 

  Sorry to crush your hopes, but no. I want to say, but I keep my mouth shut. 

  Elena studies me. "Actually, what am I saying? I don't have to drive you anywhere." she laughs.

  I scowl. I can feel the color in my cheeks rise as anger bubbles within me. I want to slap the smirk right off her ugly face. "Fuck you," I mutter. I speed walk towards the door, praying she didn't hear me. I'm roughly yanked back.

  Uh-oh.

  "What did you just say gay boy?" Elena whispers, barely audible. She grabs my arm and twists it. 

  "Love you?" I lie. I wince at the extreme pain she's causing in my arm. 

  Elena's eyes darken and I can tell i'm in big trouble. "I know what you said little bitch." she continues to whisper. She takes my free arm and also twists it, causing me even more pain.

  To my disgust, and her great pleasure, I yelp. 

  "Say it again gay boy. C'mon, say it!" she challenges.

I can't help what I say next. "If you heard what I said, why do I need to repeat myself?" I demand. 

  Elena scowls and slams me violently to the floor. "I see your gaining confidence gay boy," she says. "I'll have to take it down a peg." She steps out and puts her right foot on my stomach. 

  I sigh. Sometimes, i'm too bold for my own liking. Elena's too, it seems. I close my eyes tightly, waiting for her fist to come in contact with my face, but... it never does. 
  I open my eyes to see Elena staring at the clock. "Oh shit!" she exclaims, scrambling backward. "I'm supposed to meet Hannah early!" Hannah is one of her bitchy friends. 

  Elena swivels her head to glance down at me. "You got lucky this time Alex," she says, surprising me. She never calls me by my real name. "Next time you disrespect me though, I won't let you go so easily."  And with that she disappears from the kitchen. 

  I slowly get up from the ground. Guess I'm walking to school. I think.