Just Like Cinderella

Just Like Cinderella [16]

When Josi woke up, it was morning and she was still on the floor. Thankfully, she was alone. 

Slowly, she started to rise, biting back a whimper as she felt pain explode everywhere. And she meant everywhere. There was no part of her that didn't hurt. Her head, her arms, her ribs, her legs. Everywhere.

They really hadn't held back, she thought, releasing a dry laugh from her scratchy throat.

The pain made her unable to stand so she ended up crawling to her room, whimpering throughout. When she was in her room, she reached up to turn the key in the lock, furthering her pain, but she needed the false safety.

She then crawled to the bathroom as well. She had never been more grateful to have her own bathroom, even though the reason Tammy allowed it was so she didn't have to see Josi's face so early in the morning.

In the shower, Josi struggled to take off her clothes then finally got to her feet to turn on the shower. She gasped as the hot water pricked her already sensitive skin. Since it wasn't exactly painful, merely uncomfortable, she spent some time in there and came out feeling a little relieved. Not too good, but better. She was able to walk now, her legs less numb.

She moved to the mirror where she stood, taking in the damage done to her body. At the sight of her reflection, she gasped, her eyes watering. Blue and black bruises were all over her body, some parts swollen as well. Had they really done this to her?

A tear slid down Josi's cheek at the thought of the people who were supposed to protect and care for her hurting her like this. What had she ever done to them? She'd done anything and everything to please them, to make them happy. Prayed and hoped they would stop seeing her as their enemy and love her instead.

How foolish of her. No one loved her, no one could. The only person who'd ever did was dead. She didn't think her father had ever loved her. He had loved her mother, yes, but not Josi. She didn't remember him ever rocking her to sleep as a baby, or telling her stories as a kid, like he had done for Kitty May. She didn't remember him ever hugging her or whispering in her ear that she mattered to him. She didn't remember him ever taking five minutes out of his time to sit with her and get to know her. He bought things for her, yes, but most of them she wasn't allowed to keep. And besides, material gifts couldn't substitute for affection and attention.

Did Megan love her? Josi didn't think so. She probably saw Josi as some pet project to work on. Megan liked doing that, fixing things that at first glance seemed too damaged to ever be good again. Maybe the affection she had for Josi stemmed from the need to fix Josi's life. Just like making sure an abused puppy found a nice, happy home.

Kitty May, too. Maybe she didn't love Josi. Maybe she was only kind to Josi out of pity. Or to be rebellious and annoy Tammy.

Then there was Caleb. She chuckled drily thinking of him. He was merely enjoying the novelty of meeting someone as simple and boring as her. She gave it a week, then he would go back to ignoring her and acting like she didn't exist.

He of all people definitely wouldn't want anything to do with her. Who would want anything to do with her? She was soiled goods, damaged beyond repair. She was always doubting herself, her self-worth and everyone around her. She couldn't fully trust anyone, couldn't let herself get too close. She wasn't worthy to be in Megan's life or Kitty May's, and certainly not in Caleb's. They'd all see that soon enough.

For now, she was gonna stop her pity party and get on with her life. She would be out of their lives soon enough.

Josi wiped her tears away, took a deep, steadying breath and turned away from the mirror. She moved to get dressed, ignoring the pain she felt from moving. She was thankful there were no marks on her neck so she wouldn't have to cover it up when she didn't own any turtlenecks or scarves. She had to cover her arms and legs though, but nothing too tight. She couldn't handle going through the day with clothes that would only chafe her skin. That would be for work later when she'd have to wear tights underneath her skirt.