DISTRESS

CHAPTER 1

A/N:
('____') indicates that the person speaking is Raven.
("____") indicates that the person speaking is Dawn.

I hate mornings.

I hate waking up in general.

Waking up and mornings are like harsh reminder of my pathetic situation. It's not helping that the aching of my body and the bruises constantly became an everyday sight and reminder that my life is never happy or exciting....at least not anymore.

I've already forgotten the feeling of happiness and excitement since my mom and sister died. That was 8 years ago.

When they died, all I felt was despair, pain and suffering. And it's not getting any better, it's only getting worse and horrible as days pass by. I was left with the man responsible of ending the lives of my only happiness. You know what hurts most? Is that he wasn't imprisoned after what he did instead he was found innocent. I don't know how he was able to get away from his crimes but what I know is that with our situation no one will dare interfere. Not when you're nothing but just a poor and nearly forgotten existence in the society. No one will take the time to help us people who are barely living. That's why I'm determined to leave this shitty hellhole once I turn 18.

Just a few more months and I'll be free from my fucking father who knew nothing but drink and abuse me.

My reflection in the mirror shows how miserable I am and it made me want to punch it. My blue eyes with green specks looked lifeless and dark, all I see is the eyes of my good for nothing father. I hate that my eyes resembles him so much. I don't want anything to do with him. I loathe him and I'll keep on loathing me until the day I die.

My callused hand gently brushed my long dry brunette hair. It's getting longer and longer to the point that it's almost covering my entire face unless I tie it in a ponytail. Like I would do that.

The tiny scars on my forehead, eyebrow and cheeks barely looked visible yet the pain left by these scars still remained unchanging. My hand slowly moved down to my chapped and pale lips, it's as pale as my skin now. I tried licking my lips yet nothing changed. Then my eyes landed at the bruises that almost filled my body. There are some that are healing but there are also fresh ones that are starting to darken and throb. Even under my faded jeans I can fell the skin and flesh of my legs stinging from the bruises and cuts. It's almost like my body is collecting bruises, cuts and scars.

I looked away and reached out for my hoodie. Immediately wearing it so that I won't have to stare too long at my broken body.

Suddenly, l felt my body slightly vibrate indicating that Raven is awake. I'm glad that she was able to rest after what happened last night. Like the usual, my father came home drunk and because there was no food on the table he got angry and decided to beat me up. Raven immediately took over and took all the beatings. She always does that ever since mom and sister died.

Raven is the alter ego I created in order to cope with my trauma. She never fails to protect me and take over whenever I'm in danger. We might not hear each other's thoughts but we can sense each others feelings. That's the only way we can keep each other in check. For years Raven became an irreplaceable part of my life. She's the only thing that helps me keep going. The only comfort I have from this messed up world.... My only precious family.

I said a silent thank you to Raven then made my way downstairs. The house is peaceful since that bastard left early in the morning to who knows where. This is the only time of the day where I can rest easy knowing he won't be back until late at night. I just got my salary so I made sure to leave money behind before leaving the house. As long as I leave some money that bastard won't do anything to me. I've been saving up some money but it's hard with him always demanding me to give him some just so he can waste it all on alcohol. Pathetic piece of trash. He deserves to rot in hell.

On my way to school, I stopped by a convenience store to buy an apple which is going to be my breakfast. I settle with just an apple to cure my hunger almost everyday. Even if I want to buy something hearty, I can't since I can't afford it. I can only eat little. My salary isn't enough to buy me something decent to eat not with my good for nothing father draining my paycheck like water.

Well, it's not like I'm not used to this. At this point hunger doesn't bother me anymore. I eat whenever I have the chance and starve whenever I'm in a pinch. It's already part of my daily life. Took me years to get used to it. Not exactly a skill I'm proud of.

The hallway is already crowded with students' rushing to get to their classroom. The intercom rang informing all students' to head to the auditorium for a special announcement. I lowered my head and inserted my hands in the pockets of my hoodie then joined the students' to the auditorium.

Once inside all I can hear are students' bustling boisterously. They're like bees buzzing annoyingly. I moved to the corner just to get away from them. The farther I am from them, the better. I can't stand all of them. I'm only here for the sake of graduating which I promised to my mother and sister before they died. I must graduate so that I can move in a far away place and start a fresh new life.

The principal finally stepped on the podium and the crowd quieted down. He started saying something which I clearly didn't understand because a group of student in front of me who kept chattering like they're the only ones here. I heard clapping along with the appearance of another person. I can't exactly see her face since she's too far. All I know is that she's a woman. Probably a new teacher. Like I should care. I don't want anything to do with this school.

I left the auditorium and went to my classroom instead. There's no one inside which made me feel relieved. I head straight to my seat that is located in the back row, farthest from anyone.

I winced feeling the bruise in my stomach ache. I gently rested my forehead on my desk hoping to ease the pain. I then began to breath in and out until the pain eventually subsided. I hate this. I hate every second of my life. Trying my best to survive and live. I suddenly felt my body warmed up and it made me sigh. Raven is trying to comfort me that's why I need to be strong. I still have her and that's all that matters.

Minutes passed and the peaceful classroom is now filled with noisy students'. I watched as they each sat in their desks, still chattering to no end. Some of them would glance weirdly at me while some would purposely ignore my presence. As you can see I don't have any friends. Not since my life started to make a huge turn. It's not like I had any close friends to begin with. Everyone I knew abandoned me after I lost everything. They simply didn't want anything to do with me, let alone get themselves involve in my messed up life. Anyways, I don't need them or their baseless sympathy.

"Miss Dawn Martin," I heard my teacher call my name.

"Here," I replied, not even sparing a glance.

This made my classmates murmur and whisper about how inactive and lazy I am. There are also some who finds me pitiful. They know I can hear them. So annoying actually. I know they're treating me like an outcast, they didn't have to remind me that every fucking day. I just want to maintain a quiet highschool life. Nothing more and nothing less. I don't see any reason why I should get along with them.

For me, friends are simply an excuse for someone who desperately wishes to fit in. Making friends in school is just a waste of time.