Just Maybe

Just the beginning:

My eyes slowly peel open as I awake. I didn't get any sleep at all. While sitting up, I grimace at the shooting pain coming from my cheek. Carefully, I reach over and grab my phone from my night table. Turning my phone on, I jump at the time. 7:50 am. I am 30 minutes late for school.
Shit shit shit.

I spring out of bed and pull my bonnet off. Luckily I had picked an outfit for school the night before and have it folded on my dresser. A gray hoodie and leggings with my converse. Something to cover my bruises.

I grab the clothes and hastily rush into bathroom. After a quick shower I get dressed and finally take in my appearance in the mirror. My face looks hideous. A huge bruise is imprinted on my left check. My skin is very dark yet the discoloration is clear. My bottom lip is busted and my eye bags are visible. I pull up my hoodie and blackish purple marks are scattered all over my abdomen. I sigh.

I live with my uncle and last night he came to my room and told me to make him dinner. It was 3 am. But I still got up to do it for him. I guess I was walking too slow because he became impatient with me and slapped me across the face. He then unbuckled his belt and began beating me all over with it. This happens all the time. He claims that he does it to "discipline" me. But I know he does it to let out his frustrations of being single and broke. When I try to fight back, the beatings only get worse. So I don't.

I. Fucking, Hate. Him.

Both my parents died in a shooting 3 years ago and the only family I had left was my uncle so here I am. Thankfully, I'm 18 and in my senior year. I've had a job for while now so soon I can move out and put this life behind me.

I pull out my makeup box from under my cabinet and open it. I cautiously apply a heavy amount of concealer and foundation over my face to cover up. After applying lashes I analyze myself. You can't tell that I was badly beaten the night before. Perfect. I tie my box braids into a ponytail.

I grab my keys, phone and my backpack then run out my room. When I get to the living room, I'm met with my uncle passed out on the floor. Beer cans lay around him. Bitch ass nigga. I flick him off then exit the house before locking the door.

I press the button on my keys to unlock my 2015 Toyota Camry that I worked so hard to afford. Jumping in, I throw my backpack to the passenger seat and drive off. While on the road my eyes look over at the clock and I see that it's now 8:30. Just great. Now I've missed first period completely and I'm close to being late for second. I turn the corner then groan when I realize I've just pulled into traffic.

After a good 5 minutes the line finally moves forward and the cars in front of me start going. The feeling of relief lasts shortly as I look ahead of me and see that traffic was forming further down the road.
Shit shit shit.

Then I remember that there's a shortcut to school towards the alleyway and usually it's not too busy down there. I do a quick u-turn and make my way towards the alley. When I get on the clear road I cheer at my quick thinking.
Unfortunately, a red light appears as I proceed. Ugh God why me of all people?!

Minute after minute passes and still the light doesn't change. I lean forward and scan the road and to my surprise no cars are on the road. So why the hell has this light not changed yet?

I glance over at my side window while contemplating running the red light. Suddenly I notice four figures in the alley. They seem to be in a heated argument. One figure is laying on the ground while the three others tower over it. The three figures appear to be extremely tall. Especially the one in the front. I squint a bit and notice that he's wearing a hoodie. All of a sudden the man in the hoodie pulls out what seems to be a knife and starts continuously stabbing the person on the ground. Holy shit!