Helpless

Chapter 1: Meeting Prince Charming

"I have no idea who you are anymore," I whisper as I look into the mirror. My cheek is split and turning a dark purple, almost black, especially around my eye.

I hiss as I'm putting makeup on the area so my children won't see what their father has done to me once again.

Conner Andrews used to be everything I could have ever wanted in a husband. When we met, I knew he was going to be someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I was 18 when we met and a new student of UC San Diego. Conner was 20 and in his 3rd year at the university.

**FLASHBACK**

"Oh my god! I have died and gone to heaven! Do you see all of these boys- no wait men- here?!" That's my best friend Nora. She is a spunky 18 year old redhead and my best friend since 3rd grade. She's also a bit boy crazy....

"I mean I guess," I said glumly. "I'm just here to focus on school Nora, you know that."

Nora gave me a dull look. "El come on! You can't let your breakup with Jason consume you. He went to New York. There was no way that relationship was gonna end well."

Oh here we go. Nora has been convinced Jason was cheating on me off and on since we started dating. "Just because you didn't like him doesn't mean we wouldn't have worked out." I exclaimed.

"Whatever. Let's go find our dorm room!" And yes you heard right. I don't know how but we got to be roommates. This should be interesting...

As I started walking I realized something.... I lost Nora... Crap. I started walking while keeping my head down. Hey I've heard of the things they do to freshmen. All of a sudden I walk right into a wall.

"Shit are you okay?" A deep voice asks.

I look up and see the darkest brown eyes I've ever seen. "Ye-yeah. I'm fine," I stutter. C'mon Ella get it together. This guy is gorgeous. Stop stuttering!

The first thing I notice are his eyes. Second thing is he is extremely tall. Easily 6'2, completely trumping my 5'3 frame. He has blond hair and the cutest dimples I've ever seen. No not cute... sexy. Yeah sexy. Focus Ella! You're staring at him like he's a piece of meat.

He chuckles. God his smile is amazing! "Well my name is Conner. Conner Andrews. What's your name cutie?"

Cutie? Me? I'm dying. "Ella Cobalt. Sorry. I didn't mean to run into you. Sometimes when I'm nervous I space out and don't look where I'm going and I end up getting myself into troub-"

"Hey," he interrupted. "It's okay don't worry about it." He laughed. "You know you babble when you're nervous too." I can feel my cheeks redden. I probably look like a fire truck. "I'll see ya around Ella," he smirked and turned away.

Whoa... I think my no boy rule is fading fast. "There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere." Nora shouted. "Where did you go?"

"Sorry I got a little distracted," I murmured. I couldn't help but think of how badly I wanted to see Conner Andrews again.

**END OF FLASHBACK**

My phone ringing interrupted my thoughts. I looked at the caller ID. Mom

"Hey mom, what's up?" I feel as if I haven't talked to my mom in forever. Maybe it's because she doesn't know how Conner really treats me. In front of people he's the same guy I fell in love with. In private he's a monster. He treats me like I'm a burden. A slave. Dirt.

"Are you listening to me Ella?" my mom shouted from the other end of the phone.

"Yeah I'm listening. Sorry I'm a little distracted," I told her. Sometimes I wish I could tell her how Conner treats me. She would be devastated though knowing that I'm allowing this to happen. It's my fault anyway. I just don't make him as happy as I used to...

"Well I was just calling to let you know that Thanksgiving will not be at your grandma's house this year. Your dad and I will be hosting it. Isn't that exciting?!" Mom loved Thanksgiving. It's been her favorite holiday for as long as I can remember.

"Yeah mom that's great." And it was. I haven't been to my childhood home since I was 25 when my parents wanted to see my youngest son Hudson. I'm 29 now so he's 4 and the spitting image of me: black hair and green eyes. My middle child is Logan who is 8 and he is a good mix of me and Conner: black hair and brown eyes. Then there is my oldest, Macy, who is 11 and looks like a mini girl version of Conner: blonde hair and brown eyes. I love them to pieces and that's one of the main reasons why I haven't tried to leave Conner. He may be a horrible husband but he's an amazing father.

"Good. Good. How are you honey? We haven't talked in awhile. Your dad misses you too," she said sadly.

"I'm great mom. And I'm sorry I haven't called much. The kids keep me busy," I laugh. It's not a total lie. They do keep me on my feet all day. But the whole truth is that Conner doesn't like me talking to people when he's not around. He doesn't want me telling anyone the truth about our messed up world.

Mom laughs. God I missed her. "I bet they do sweetie. I'm so excited to see you guys. Call your father I'm sure he would love to hear from you."

"I will mom. I love you."

"I love you too Ella." After she hangs up I go back to covering the bruises. I look at the clock and see that it's 2:30 pm.

"I should probably go get the kids," I say to myself.

I look at myself in the mirror one more time. Just another bruise to add to the list El. That's all it is.

***

A/N: I hope you like this chapter! I'm a new writer and probably have a long way to go but I'm hoping to get some followers/readers to start off my "wattpad career". Please vote if you enjoyed this chapter and I will be updating again soon!

The beautiful Mila Kunis above for Ella (I know she doesn't have black hair but it's close enough).

P.S. I made the cover for the book but if anybody who reads this would like to make a cover message me and let me know.
Thanks!

~Haley~