Gia's Beginning

1

GIA POV

TRIGGER WARNING

Racing up to my room...

Hyperventilating and not catching my breath...

I felt the warm blood from my busted lip seeping into my mouth. Hearing her heavy foot steps charging after me... I skipped the last two steps... opening my room door and shutting it as fast as I can. Just in time too. I slowly slid behind my door still trying to catch my breath. Hearing her yell profanities at me. Covering my  ears so I can somewhat block it out.

This is why she kept me home today?.

Slowly trying to calm down. Usually counting works but it's taking a tad bit longer.

Once it got quiet I uncovered my ears. She was gone.  I got up to see the damage... seeing how swollen my lip was. How can I hide this?. Grabbing my bag I ran out of the house so fast. My mother couldn't fern get in one last hit.

Walking wherever my feet takes me. Anywhere is better than there. I should be in school... they already warned my mom about my absences.

Hearing the water crash against the shore it somewhat relaxed me. The salt water smell was intoxicating. Sitting on the wall and getting lost in the waves.

Don't you just wish you could close your eyes and you can be someone else?.

As time went on I knew I had to go back home. My anxiety was starting to escalate. Usually when that happened I would have hand trembles.

Seeing her car in the driveway...

She's waiting for me...

Tears started filling up my eyes...

Why does she hate me so much?...

Feeling my nerves all over the place. I guess you can say it was slowly preparing me for what was behind that door.  Twisting the knob I pushed opened the door to someone punching me in the face. The blow caught me off guard. Falling down to the ground she started kicking me. She wore her special kicking heels. The ones that hurt. Blocking the blows so the pain wouldn't be so bad.

Being so young and skinny... me defending myself wasn't doing much.

After she was done "go clean yourself up. Daddy is on his way home!".

I could barely move. My body ached so bad. Once my mom saw how I was moving "Gia just don't come down for the rest of the day! I don't need dad seeing you walk like this".

Letting out a small cry...

"Hush up! Crying for what?! You want more?" She warned.

Trying to shut up quickly. I eventually made it to my room. My back was killing me. And my finger I couldn't move it. In the bathroom I had boiling hot water in the tub. Slowly getting in I just cried.

//

I'm for sure my finger is broken or fractured. Now I couldn't go to the doctor without my dad seeing why I went. The insurance will send him an invoice.

Maybe I can look up how to treat a fractured finger at home. I made my own concoctions and it seemed to be working.

I promised myself as I get old enough I'm moving out. Can't see myself living here for a long time.

"Gia what happened to your finger?" Rashad asked. Rashad was the golden child of this so called family. My mom doted on him. He could do no wrong.

"Oh nothing! Mind your business" I said. He shrugged and walked away. That's when I hear the front door open it was my dad. He smiled "my Gia!". Feeling his love radiate towards me was wonderful. He hugged me but I flinched from the bruises on my back.

"You okay?" He asked. I so badly wanted to show him what his wife was doing to me. But I faked smiled "I'm fine".

"Great! How about I make us some hot chocolate and we can chat" he offered.

I nodded "sounds good".

Walking into the kitchen together I sat at the table as he started making the hot chocolate. Times like these I cherish. I felt special. I felt loved.

"Gia how's school?" He asked.

I shrugged.

I haven't been in school that much to even tell him what I'm learning.

"So it's okay? You're learning?" He asked.

I nodded.

He smiled "great".

Placing the cup of hot chocolate in front of me. He dropped two marshmallows in the cup "I always forget you like it like this". He placed a kiss on my head "my Gia".

Feeling tears fill up in my eyes. Not from sadness but from happiness I felt around my dad.

We sat there and just talked. Well he mostly talked I just watched him.

Of course this loving happiness couldn't last. My mom walked in shocked "what the hell is going on here?!". My dad looked confused "Gia and I are having hot chocolate".

"My ass you are! Gia isn't the child you do that to. Rashad is! Gia belongs upstairs in her room. She doesn't deserve special treatment. Especially when she's been bad lately".

I wanted to shout how unfair this is but it wouldn't get me anything but a beating. I stayed quiet and with my head down. She grabbed the cup and trashed it. My dad was upset now.

My mom grabbed my arm and made me walk to the stairs "go to your room. I'll see you later on".