The Four Elements

                  I woke up to a pounding on door. "Get your goddam lazy ass out of bed, you bitch, before I drag it out. Be useful for once and make us breakfast!" Yeah, I know what you're thinking. Who could be so awful to another human being, and why didn't I kick her ass to Timbuktu. Well it wouldn't do much good to do that to my sister, would it? Yes, for all of you who just did a double take, that spoiled brat was my sister, Tiana. My names Jasmine, but I'd prefer if you'd call me Jazz, Jazzy, or anything other than bitch, waste of space, or any other insult that would further deteriorate my self esteem. See I'm the pathetic mistake in my family. My whole family beats me and I wished I could blame it on alcohol or drugs. However, my mom, dad, sister, and brother are all sober when they yell or hit me; that's how I know they all hate me.

                I dragged my self out of my bed (or whatever you would call a pile of blankets and a pillow) and silently crept downstairs, for fear of any of my family members' wrath. I made it to kitchen without any disturbances and got some eggs from the fridge. I cracked two into a bowl and turned around to come face to face with my father. He pulled the collar of my shirt and looked at me with hatred in his eyes.

                  "God, Jasmine, you whore. How bout you put on some clothes before coming down stairs. Your brother has friends over and I won't let you embarrass him by wearing those rags you call pajamas," he practically spat in my face.

                  "But, I have to make breakf-" My excuse was interrupted by a slap to my face. My hand instantly went up to my cheek and I against my will, a tear trailed down my face.

                   "Aw is the little bitch crying?" He laughed. "Get outta my face," my father screamed. I silently thanked the gods that he delayed my morning beating. I ran upstairs to my room and pushed a chair against the door handle, due to the fact that I didn't have a lock on my door. I went to my drawer and pulled out a lighter. I sparked it (a/n: I don't know if  that's what its called) and instantly felt calm.

                  There was a soft knock at my door and I knew it wasn't a family member; the wouldn't have knocked. I removed the chair, opened the door and I saw my brother's friend Henry leaning on the door frame. "Hey, JazzyCat," he said huskily. "Mind if I come in?"

                 I shook my head. He sat on my pallet and patted the spot next to him, motioning for me to join him. I hesitantly sat down next to Henry, still wondering why he was talking to me, let alone in my room. "I heard what happened down there. It wasn't right. I'm sorry." I looked at him dumbfounded. He leaned into me and whispered in my ear," I've always thought you were cute."

                He cupped my cheeks and slowly kissed my quivering lip. I suddenly understood what he was doing and moved my lips in sync. His hand slid under my shirt and before I knew it, we were both in our underwear under my blankets. I smiled at the realization that I'd given my innocence to a nice guy who didn't call me a whore or a slut. Suddenly, the door opened and I saw my brother and 2 of his friends laughing hysterically.

                "Whoa Henry, that... took less... than 10 minutes." he gasped for breath in between laughs. I turned and looked at Henry, who was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

                "I know. You owe me 20 bucks. It was easier to get the whore to spread her legs than it is to spread butter." 

                 Something inside me cracked and I was broken yet furious. I felt like I was on fire, I was so angry. I expected them to insult and embarrass me to my face, not get someone else to pretend to like me and then use me. They turned my emotions into a game for money. A stupid bet. I got up, ran to my closet, and put a few clothes into a backpack. I ran to my brothers room and grabbed his car keys off his dresser. I expected someone to stop me but as I passed my, I noticed my brother and his friends were still laughing their asses of. They hadn't even noticed I'd left the room. I walked to the front door but as soon as my hand was on the handled, I heard my mother speak.

                 "Well if it isn't the nasty slut who had sex for 20 dollars." I guess in the past 5 minutes, news of the incident had spread. And the facts were wrong! I turned the knob, but I felt my mother roughly grab my shoulder.

                  "Where do you think you're going slut. Gonna spend you 20 at McDonalds, fatty," my mother said.

                   I felt hot. No, steaming. Fill with burning rage. My mother shrieked and caressed her hand, muttering about her stupid hand being on fire. "You know what bitch? Leave, you are a waste of space." I walked out, slammed the door, and drove off in my brother's car, not looking back.