𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 | B.E

PART 2

TW: abuse

002; apprehension

katherine's pov

i head straight inside, attempting to avoid my father and all the questions he probably had, "who was that girl?" my dad questioned in an unhappy voice.

"a friend" i replied bluntly. i wasn't going to have yet another argument about having friends. my father seems to believe that everyone on planet earth is out to get me, forgetting there's actually good people out there.

yes i admit. i haven't known billie or ana twenty-four hours yet, although they act nice i'm very aware of how two-faced friends can be; i've always got my guard up and i know how to protect myself from dangerous people.

"stop with the attitude katherine. i'm only making sure you're safe" he explained himself. i stop in my tracks turning to face him with furrowed brows.

"no you don't; you don't want me to have friends, you don't want me to have a life" i defend myself. he shakes his head in denial.

"because having friends turned out so good for you last time?" he asked sarcastically, raising his voice a little causing my heart to palpitate.

i'm forever replaying that day in my mind. subconsciously moving my hand to my stomach reliving the pain they put me through, him reminding me of the trauma every day created a constant loop of the event in my brain.

"what?" i questioned his actions. "what have i always told you?" my father queried.

"always throw the first punch" i replied quietly, tilting my chin down.

"you're lucky we didn't take you to the hospital. you were covered in bruises" his voice only got louder which began to scare me. i sigh stressfully palming my face as i did.

"a good father would've taken me to the hospital" i mumbled under my breath, a part of me wanted him to hear it but the other part of me feared what would happen if he did.

"you're on thin ice katherine" his voice lowered. "this family can't afford any more interactions with the police" my dad stepped closer to me, my breathing hitches.

"it's different this time. billie seems like a nice pers-" he cuts me off by taking another step. i subtly gulp swallowing the lump in my throat. his index finger points to my face; so close that i could feel his cigarette breath on my face.

"if i see anyone inside these walls. you're done" my father whispered angrily. i knew how desperately he wanted to hit me. he was itching for one punch and it killed me inside.

i nod quickly needing him to back away from me. "no friends. not at school. not at home. not at all" he said calmly. too calmly. it felt like someone was squeezing my heart.

"do you want me to have no life at all?" i blurted out unintentionally. my voice croaking as i spoke, choking on the tears i held back and the lump that'd formed in my throat.

without hesitation he shoved my shoulder back, throwing me to the floor making me hit the wooden floor beneath my feet. once i opened my eyes everything was blurred, pixelated and fuzzy.

i hoist myself up as fast as i could, leaning against the wall, inevitably waiting for the next hit to come. i focus on my father who was pacing around to room clearly infuriated.