I Wish You Never Met Me

08- part 1

CHAPTER 8

Janice was as curious as a cat, trying to pry information out of me about what Anderson and I talked about. It was a good thing not involving her since she'll tell my parents which will eventually culminate my demise. After all, she couldn't keep a secret even I her left depended on it. She told me that her best friend was caught with her other friends' boyfriend making out and then how she told her best friends' friend about it. Let's just say she crawled home the next morning.

I wasn't going to budge, but it was quickly getting annoying having her asking me the same question over and over. The last thing I needed was her ruining everything and telling Angelo about everything going on. Her, following me around is more than enough. It was indication that my own flesh and blood didn't trust me. However, I didn't care. I didn't care anymore. I wasn't going to beg for their love and attention anymore. If they hated me, so be it.

They'll feel the greatest pain not having me around. They'll never be able to have access to me anymore once I leave. My main objective is graduate from school and apply to colleges far away from California.

"Meghan," I heard my father's voice near the archway heading into kitchen. "We're having a party for the family tonight. You will be tending to the food and drinks."

Internally, I was rolling my eyes. What he meant was I'm hosting the family party and cleaning up their mess. "What time will the party start?"

"6:00 P.M." he approached me, eyes in a glare threatening me. "If nothing is together by then, good luck going to school on Monday."

I tried to keep my rage at bay, letting out a sigh. I didn't bother to say another word afterwards. As he moved closer, I checked the fridge. My face almost fell in disappointment seeing as we barely had food in there. I grabbed my keys along with my bag.

"Where do you think you're going, huh? Going to see that boy." he asked.

I almost let out the most incredulous laugh I could ever muster up. "To prevent your guests from starving tonight."

I know it wasn't disrespectful, but my words were followed by a sharp sting against my cheek. Then that sting getting worse and moving to my hair. "How dare you? You have the nerve to speak back to me? Let's see if you'll have the courage when I'm done with you."

He was seething and yet I couldn't scream. I mean, she won't help me. She'll most likely join in on the "fun". I felt my back hit the corner of the arch, sending an excruciating wave of pain throughout. My breath hitched, leaving my body almost immediately. Everything started to get blurry, black spots coming through. However, I was waiting and nothing else came. I heard his footsteps peer away.

The moment he was gone, it took everything within me to pull myself up. I made it on my feet, but they hurt. They could barely hold my weight. With every step I pushed through, a wave of pain thrashing my body and getting larger than the last. Once I made it to the entrance, I grabbed my bag, trying to fix my hair with the other and left.

***

God, I wanted to cry. It was way too embarrassing to get out of the car and go into the Market right now. I was always angry. I was always sad, but this...this was different. The pain was starting to get to me. It was starting to break me. I was already starting to crumble before I could arrive at the finish line at the courthouse.

Come on legs, please don't fail me now. Just a little while longer and we'll be free, ok?

Entering the market took longer than usual. I was still feeling the effects of what happened earlier. I did get some stares here and there but that wasn't surprising at all. It was almost normal for me to come to the market like this. Freshly bruised, praying that I don't get a black eye the next morning. Most of the time, it was stares of worry from some grandmothers that seemed nice. As if they would drop everything and try their best to "save" me.