Broken

*~ Chapter 2 ~*

Lewis at the side ~>

                 *~*~*~*~*~*

Melissa's POV:

I groaned in pain as I woke up the next morning. I rolled onto my side to see Lewis sleeping peacefully next to me.

After mum and Derek had left, Lewis had slowly crept out of the closet and helped me to the bed. I was too weak to even walk properly.

I quietly got out of bed and winced.

I made my way to my bathroom. I took a shower which resulted in me grimacing as the hot water hit the now forming bruises, and put on my hoodie.

I tried to avoid looking at my reflection but I suddenly caught a glimpse.

My face looked somewhat distorted.

I mean I was never particularly pretty before, I had very pale skin, dull grey eyes, straggly black hair and a scrawny type figure.

The girl I was looking at looked nothing like me. Not in a good way either.

I had a bruised eye and a swollen lip as well as lots of cuts all over my face from where my mother had clawed at my face, I guess she felt the insults weren't cutting enough. There were also purple bruises on my neck from where Derek had grabbed my throat.

I can't go to school today. I don't particularly feel like dealing  with the stares and the not-so-subtle whispers. The school doesn't notice if I'm not there otherwise they would have notified my mother; This I had worked out early on in school when I would frequently run away.

I tried to apply some concealer on the cuts and bruises to cover them up. It worked although you could still see some of the more open wounds.

I decided to take Lewis to school once he had gotten dressed and had eaten at least an apple. He didn't like breakfast that much. Before we left I checked the house to see if they were still here. However they were no where to be found.

I locked the door behind me as I made my way down the steps.

Lewis was waiting for me on the path.

"Alright, let's go."I said once I reached him.

We were halfway to the school when Lewis suddenly asked me the question that was way too difficult to answer.

"Mel, why does mum and Derek do that to you?"

I wrapped my coat tighter around me. I didn't know what to say.I couldn't bring myself to explain to him how much of a sad excuse for 'parents' they were, but of course he didn't know any different considering this had been his upbringing so far.

"They just have their own problems...problems that I'm not sure they can ever solve. Don't worry they would never hurt you." I smiled weakly.

"Its not me I'm worried about. I'm worried about you, Mel." I ruffled his hair and pulled him into a side hug.

"Your too young to be worrying about me, focus on your colouring or something."

Lewis pulled away and looked at me with a scowl. "I'm 11 not 5!" He pouted.

"Yeah yeah now get into school before your late". He gave me a hug and ran off towards the gates.

I was walking around aimlessly when I came across a park. It had a beautiful river with a bridge. I saw a willow tree in the distance. I have a slight obsession with willow trees though I can't exactly explain why, just that they seemed to relax.

I cannot pass up this opportunity considering this park had just spawned out of no where.

I made my way over to the willow where I lowered my self and leaned back against the trunk.

I took out my sketchbook and a pencil. I started to sketch the scenery before me. Drawing was the only thing that distracted me and took me to a whole different world. A more peaceful world.

*~ 10 minutes later ~*

I put my sketchbook back in my bag along with my pencil. I closed my eyes and rested my head back on the tree.

"Hey are you okay?" I jumped at the sudden voice. I looked up and my eyes locked with bright blue ones.

"I..er..yeah. I mean yes, why?" I stammered. I mentally slapped myself.

"You just looked like you had been crying."He pointed out. I touched my now wet cheeks.

You idiot, how did you not notice that?

He made his way over and sat down next to me. I suddenly became very apprehensive.

Why the hell was this random guy sitting next to me?

I looked at him for the first time properly.

He had black hair with a fringe that covered one of his vibrant ocean blue eyes.

No, seriously, how were his eyes (or the one eye rather) that vibrant?

He had sharp looking features; High cheekbones, slim nose as well as a black lip ring. He was wearing the same uniform as me; only the blazer and shirt but he didn't wear a tie and was wearing black skinny jeans with black vans. I had to admit, he was good-looking.

I looked at him suspiciously.

Finally, I plucked up the courage to speak. "I've never seen you around school before."I hesitated.

He shrugged."I never usually go to school, I just come here instead."

"Oh."

I didn't know what to say. He looked towards me.

He smiled. "I'm Seth, you?"

A small smile formed on my lips. "I'm Melissa."

Seth hummed."I like that name."

I smiled, a genuine smile.