My Short Stories

Cece: Don't trust her smile, she's in pain

TW: Abusive parents, SH, Toxic friends.

I won't say this is based on my life, in the end, no one truly cares about my stories. One day I'll stop writing, and the world will never know. My stories hold a small truth about my life, but I try to put a little hope into my stories, even though life can make you feel as though there is none to hold on to. 

Cece was someone who always had a smile on her face, but no one knew the darkness that was hidden behind her smile.

Cece woke up at the sound of her alarm.

The nightmares are getting worse, she thought as she got ready for the day.

 Thankfully, her parents had left for work, meaning she could get some food from behind a panel in the back of the pantry. If she didn't hide the snacks and small meal packs her friend Jean got her, her parents would take away all of it, and either burn it or eat it in front of her.

"How come I never see you eat this much?" Jean had asked when Cece and her were at a store. This was when Cece and Jean first became friends Jean's mom and grandmother were also nice to her. After a year, Cece told Jean about her parents and how they treated her. Jean was horrified but promised to do the best she could to help.

As the years went on, Cece and Jean became very close friends. Cece was even able to make friends with some of the other girls at her school, but Jean didn't like those girls based on how they acted and treated others. She tried to tell Cece, but Cece wanted to know for herself. 

"I don't understand why you hang out with her," one of the girls said, "you should only hang out with us."

"But, Jean is my best friend I can't just leave," Cece says, worried.

The girls look at her, their eyes full of anger and malice. 

"Well, Cece, I guess we'll have to teach you a lesson," the group leader said, "girls, you know what to do."

Cece was dragged to the bathroom by three of the girls, while the fourth closed the door. What came next, Cece would only remember it as hell. 

The girl on her left grabbed her hair and pulled back while the girl in front of her kicked and punched Cece in the stomach. Cece cried out in pain, but she knew no one would help her.

"This is what you get, stupid bitch." the girl in front of her said.

Before the girl could land another hit, Jean burst through the door holding a small pocket knife.

"I would find it in your best interest to let my friend go," she growled, "or you can find out what happens to pretty little girls who hurt the people I care about."

The girl holding Cece dropped her and ran out of the bathroom while the fourth girl stayed. 

"You should know your place here." the girl said.

"Says the one without a knife," Jean smiled, "now get out!"

The girl did so, but not before spitting on Cece who was lying on the floor barely conscious. Jean checked her and saw bruises already forming on her ribcage, she called her mom and they took Cece to the hospital. The doctors examined her and came back to talk with Jean and her mom, "Well, she's going to be alright," he said, "but, I'm concerned about her scars."

"Scars? What scars?" Jean said.

"She has several scars on her arms, they look too clean and straight to be from a cat or an accident." the doctor said.

When they were able to take Cece back home the car ride was silent. 

Two Years Later

Cece had signed up for a theatre that was doing her favorite musical 'Fiddler on the Roof'. It was her one escape from her home and she felt truly happy. 

During a rehearsal, she noticed a boy talking to Jean, "Hey, Jean who's your friend?"

"Oh, this is Zander," Jean says giving Cece a small smile, "we were just talking about you."

Cece found it strange that Jean was acting a bit weird, more weird than normal. 

"Hi, I'm Cecilia, Cece to my friends," Cece says as she shakes Zander's hand.

"Well, Cece I'm glad I'll be in the play with you," he says with a soft smile.

Cece feels a blush creep up to her face, she never had someone be so kind to her, except Jean. She wondered what kind of person Zander was, there was something about him that felt like a home

Part 2? Maybe I'll post part 2 next week.