A Little Bit Of It (JENLISA)

Prologue: A little bit of it.

The sweet melody echoed around the house, mom have always loved this piece. I remember she would wake up at 5am just so she could play the piano without having to overthink whether Mr. Damien Kim would throw a thump on her.

Listening to mom's playing never made me feel at ease, no matter how hard I try to appreciate the different notes that are being played. Mom's playing, all I could ever feel was the pain she goes through. You might be wondering, why not leave? Why stay while knowing your foster father is being abusive? Mr. Damien pays for the bills in this house, if we do leave, Mother and I wouldn't have a place to stay, it'd make more things even more complicated.

I, Jennie Kim. Is an 18 year old woman soon to be graduating 12th Grade. Don't worry mom, I'll get us out of this shithole place.

If opening my eyes was hard, standing up was even more difficult. I took a few steps and sat by the window, the sunrise was one of the few things that fascinates me, it never fails to remind me that I survived the night and shall continue it the next day. Checking the clock I see it was already 5:30 in the morning. The sun hasn't started rising, giving me the time to appreciate the dark, clear sky. Deciding whether to open the window or not, I opened the window and restly lay my arm on the dark colored wooden window with my head on top of it.

The breeze felt cold, but something about it felt reassuring. As the wind brushes through my hair, the soft chirpings of the bird was heard showing signs that the sun was about to rise. Almost little to giving zero care, surprsingly it was already a quarter till six. As much I love admiring the breathless view I have by my window, everything in life at the moment is dreadful.

"I should prepare for school" whispering to myself and sighing after. Another day. I walked towards the door and was greeted by my mother "Good morning love" she says softly, making sure I was the only who could hear her trembling voice. A hint of worriness hindered upon her face, her droopy eyes showed signs that she wasn't very much excited for today.

"Good Mother" I replied with a smile. "In this house, your smile never fails to give me... hints of hope" She replied back grabbing my hand and placing it on her heart. Loud, her heart silenced our surroundings. "Love you mom" I reassured her knowing damn well that I'm the only who actually tells her that. She smiled in respond, letting go of my hand. "Off you go now, you still have class. Stay out of trouble dear and do your best." She walks away disppearing along the halls.

Walking, walking, walking.

The moment I reached the bathroom, I slowly turned the handle and made my way in and locking it from behind. Staring at the mirror reminded me of the time where I had my face covered with bruises because of some girl's jealousy. It's not even my fault the guy she likes had infatuated feelings for me.

I grabbed the toothpase as well my toothbrush and continued with my morning duties. Several minutes later I was done with everything, wore my uniform, prepared my things and immediately went down for supper. The shower felt nice today, as the warm water rushes its way down landing on my skin, I could immediately feel my mood shifting in seconds. Maybe, just maybe today wouldn't be that bad.

"Jennie." A rough, unsettling voice was heard coming from the dining table, cutting my thoughts as I recall my morning shower. "Yes sir?" I replied, showing zero emotions. I hate him, I don't even know why they're married to each other, better yet adopting me.

"I'll be dropping you off to school today. Do you understand?" He lay his newspaper, making sure he gets a clear glance of my face, he sits quietly and patiently waits for my reply. Of all days, why now? "Yes sir" I replied, directly looking into his eyes. I need to learn how to stand up for myself, starting against Mr. Kim

Mother was nowhere to be seen. Assumingly, she's by the pool admiring trees as she questions her situation with father. She does that all the time, on rare occasions when father isn't here with us, she would be playing the piano, playing her favorite piece.

*Tick, tock, tick, tock*

"Eat your breakfast, we'll be leaving in 10 minutes." I nodded my head in respond and stared blanky at the food, scrambled eggs with toast on the side. The mix aroma of freshly cooked eggs in the morning with a touch of brewed coffee being made at the back, does have its way in making my morning a tad bit better.

Luckily Mr. Kim doesn't beat me up, but I could tell he doesn't like me either. At the age of 16 was when I first met these two lovely people, or so I thought they were.. My mother, Chae-Won Kim was a woman of prize. She has this very beautiful droopy eyes, golden brown hair which was cut short and her lips, curving into a crescent whenever she smiles. It felt almost a blessing to be called her my mother, knowing she looks gorgeous.

Scoffing at the memory, my believe for love eventually faded after experiencing the truth behind these doors. It's like riding a rollercoaster with endless hoops, they're relationship with each is monotonous, father constantly humiliating mother, and mom.. well, she remains the same.

"Let's go Jennie." His deep voice was unsettling, it was enough to make my skin crawl. The tone of his voice whenever he's communicating puts me in a situation where I'm not allowed to make any mistakes. One wrong move and I'd be thrown out, hence why I never disobey him whenever he tells me or commands me to do something. I could never imagine myself being beaten up by a guy like him, comparing our sizes I'd be dead in no time.

"Yes sir" I responded and quickly pave my way in his car. The whole ride was quiet, I was able to take notice about the different buildings, people, dogs etc. Everything is the same, people do their jobs receiving ounce of money in exchange for their blood and sweat. I've always wondered what it would be like to have a family back when I was a child, if I knew I'd be signing myself up for being a child of Mr and Mrs. Kim, I'd stop myself from wondering.

"We're here. Off you go now child." He stops in front of school. "Thank you Sir" I replied waving to him as I pushed myself out of the car. The car is nice, the seat are just really uncomfortable. He drove off immediately and disappeared in distance.

Rushing through the halls I immediately went to my first class and quietly sat down. "Best be early" I whispered to myself, little did I know a tall Thai Lady was listening. "You sure got that right." I jumped from my seat in surprise and was caught by her mesmerizing features. She had big round eyes with dark brown colored pupils, her hair was black and she had curtain bangs that fits her appearance well. "My apologies, I didn't mean to startle you beautiful."

Beautiful?

Beautiful..

She really said that, didn't she?

"Unforgiven, the least you can do is introduce yourself before even uttering a single word" I replied showing how serious I am, keeping my eyes off her I asked myself, what is this? I couldn't hear anything but the sound of my chest beating at a fast pace. This is dangerously uncomforting, it's something new and It's frightening.

"We've been classmates for almost two years and you don't know my name? It's okay, my ame is Lalisa Manoban, you may call me Lisa." She replied, her voice sounds calming, inviting, maybe I can trust her. I don't know, maybe a little bit of it wouldn't hurt.