Happy Girls Are The Prettiest

Chaper One: First meetings are always awkward.

I carefully made my way to school, making sure to take a deep breath to count to ten before entering the building. I hated it here. No, I wasn't the pathetic girl that everyone bullied. As a matter of fact, No one spoke to me. Ever. But It's not like they haven't tried, they have. I just refuse to speak back. My life has too much bullshit in it to waste time making friends with someone that could potentially find out my secret and reveal it to the entire world. It's more simple to just keep to myself and make it one day at a time. I'm a junior; it won't be too much longer until I've graduated and No one remembers me anyways.

First period I have Algebra II with Mr. Todd. He's a fairly decent teacher, one who has never tried to force me out of my shell. He respects that I don't want to talk to anyone and as long as I adequately do my work he leaves me alone.

Pulling out my Abgebra II notebook I set to work finishing up the worksheet Mr. Todd gave us last night. Last night was my dad's day off and I didn't get the chance to do it. Asshole.

Things have been...bad every since my "mother" ran off with some guy when I was in sixth grade. The happy family that I was once proud to be apart of was ripped apart into what We are now. My mom, gone without a trace. My father, the person who hurts me the most, and me, the outcast. Freak. Loser. Bitch. Whatever you want to call me. Everyone around here has made there opinion clear of me in the past. Now No one cares. Would they care if they knew what he does to me every night? Or would they go on just pretending that everything is okay in the world?

I guess it doesn't really matter. Once I turn 18 next year on the fifth of May, I'm out. I will turn away and never look back. Not that I want to. I'm stuck with enough bad memories to last a lifetime. As it is I can't even sleep at night withought using my best friend at least once. My best friend; my blade.

Until then I have to keep quiet and go through the motions until I can make my escape.

At the end of the school day I rushed to my car, determined to hurry home. If I was quick, I could make it back at 3:45. My dad doesn't get off of work tonight until 6, which gives me two hours and fifteen minutes of peace. Regardless of how sickening my dad is, he's maintained a stable job in a prestigious law firm as a lawyer. No one else knows our secret. I've kept it a secret after all of these years, ashamed that I've let him hurt me how he has. Besides, he threatened to kill me if I ever opened my mouth.

I know most people, if they knew, would wonderful why I don't just run away, well It's not that easy. Realistically speaking, I couldn't enroll in school anywhere. If anyone found out my age, I'd be placed either in Foster care or taken back to my father. An option I'm not willing to let happen. In the meantime, I take my abuse. Little does my father know that from the time that the abuse started, I have saved up 100 dollars from the 450 dollars that he gives me for groceries and personal items every month. I have quite the pretty penny saved up for when I turn 18. At that time, I can travel across the country to New York, where I'd get a small apartment and find a decent job and finish school. I plan on becoming a clinical social worker. I will help those who can't help themselves. I swear to it.

Bam! I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't notice the garbage can sitting in the middle of the street and crashed straight into it. Thrash was thrown everywhere, I heard shouting before my car door was slung open. I turned to look into the most gorgeous set of crystal blue eyes that I have ever seen.

"Are you okay!?" Asked the deep voice of this blue eyed angel. Chills ran down my spine as I stared stupidly at this magnificent creature. "Miss, I need you to talk to me, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Do I need to call an ambulance"

At the thought of being drug to a hospital where they'd see the scars and damage done to my body my brain seemed to catch up with what was happening. I couldn't go to a hospital. Was this gorgeous man crazy? I couldn't go to the hospital. They'd find out my secret!

"No," my voice sounded hoarse, "I'm fine.",

Concern crossed over his gorgeous features. "At least pull over to the side and come into my home. My mother is standing over there. Let her check you out. She's a nurse."

"I have to go. I can't be late, I'm sorry!" I rushed out my voice a little stronger than before.

"Nonsense, here I'll help you out," said the angel. The second he reached in and touched me, I internally flipped out. Would he hurt me? Was he going to do what father does? I can't handle another one.

I started shaking profusely, which didn't go unnoticed by this beautiful creature. "Geez, You're shaking. Are you sure you don't want to go to a hospital?" He asked as he carried me over to his mother.

"Let. Me. Down." I managed to croak out.

Surprise filled his features and he let me down in front of his mother. He gave me a slightly odd look before looking at his mom for help.

"Oh sweetie you must be so scared! I don't know who put that darn garbage can there. Whoever did it will hear it from me when as soon as I find out who did it! We just moved here today, my name is Theresa and this is my son Blake. I'm a nurse, if you would allow it, can I please make sure you didn't get a concussion?" Said the sweet woman

I looked at her, she was gorgeous. She has long raven black hair, a heart shaped face, and the same crystal blue eyes as the ange- as Blake. She was just an inch or so taller than me, which isn't tall to start with considering I'm 5'1 in shoes. She was looking at me with such a strong look of motherly concern that I couldn't say no.

Nodding my head I allowed her to check me for a concussion and whiplash before she smiled bright at me.

"Well hun, looks like you're all clear. Now I want you to go home and rest. It must have been pretty scary to crash like that. Your car is fine. I live in that blue house right over there, now that you know where I live if you ever need anyone to talk to, or a place to escape maybe, you're always welcome here." She said looking into my eyes. I had a feeling her meaning of "a place to escape" went deeper than friendly hospitality. Uh Oh. I needed to leave before she started asking questions.

"Thank...Thank you," I said tears welling in my eyes. If only I could trust her. I wanted to so bad. But I knew, if I did, we'd both be in danger.

"Do you go to Northview Prep?" Blake asked suddenly.

For the first time I really looked at him. Beautiful was an understatement. He had strong jawline, shaggy raven hair, he was tall. At least 6'2. He had a lean build but you could see the muscles that defined his body though his shirt. Holy hell. He was one fine human specimen. For Christ sakes! He has a fucking beauty Mark above his lip!

I nodded my head, my mouth suddenly going dry.

He smiled at me. What. The. Fuck. He. Has. Dimples. He's the epitome of perfect. "Hopefully I'll see you tomorrow. It's my first day. It would be nice to have a friend on my first day. You didn't say your name."

"Ann- Annalise," I managed to croak out.

"See you tomorrow Annalise, be careful!" He flashed me another smile.

I got in my car before speeding home. It was already 4:30. I wasted too much time. I have to go home, clean the house spotless, not that there was any reading for it to be a mess, and cook dinner for my father. It must be ready by 6 or he won't be happy.

I rushed inside, throwing my school stuff in my bedroom before running to the living room to start dusting. As I set to work a voice spoke out to me causing my blood to run cold and my body to shake. His question caused me to nearly pass out.

"Where. The. Fuck. Have. You. Been?" My father asked.