Breaking point

Innocence

Feeling my dad's gentle hand on my shoulder, my eyes fluttered open as I yawned and sat up.

"Hey dad, what'd you get us for dinner?" I smiled, getting up and giving him a hug.

He hugged me and held up the pizza box, "your favorite, cheese pizza."

I smiled, hugging him again, my dad was awesome.

I pulled plates from the cabinet as he poured us both a glass of ice tea. We set the table, sitting down across from each other.

My dad smiled agin as we sat down, his light brown eyes sparkling, "how was school?"

As much as I loved my dad I always lied about school, I didn't have the heart to tell him how much I hated it.

I faked a smile, "fine, how was work?"

He nodded, "good, good," ruffing up his dark hair, "I heard the couple next door is moving out."

The old couple next door popped back into my mind as he mentioned their for sale house, "yeah, I saw on my walk home, wonder who'll move in..."

My dad laughed, "hopefully not a grouchy old couple." he smiled brightly, lighting up his light skin.

"Yeah, maybe a nice newly wed pair," I suggested, returning a smile, "maybe with a baby or something, so I could babysit."

He nodded, "yeah that could be fun."

We talked and laughed like usual, getting along like best friends. My dad decided to go to sleep early for his morning shift tomorrow.

I stayed up to watch a movie, I decided upon Tron, one of my favorites.

Every time I watched the movie I amerced myself, wishing I could be confident and respected like one of the main characters, Cora. She was by far my favorite.

Though after the movie as I tried to fall asleep, Ryan's comment from earlier haunted me.

So what if I was a senior and had never kissed anyone or had a boyfriend! I was focused on making my dad proud and being with my family. Or what family I had left.

Still I couldn't help but wonder if it was because of me being ugly, was I ugly?

I stared at my mirror in the dark, inspecting my reflection, wishing I knew if what he'd said was true or just to hurt me.

Eventually I managed to sleep out of sheer exhaustion.

Though waking up in the morning was no better, it would still be yet another day in hell.

My dad left a note on the counter as he'd had to take an earlier shift today. Jogging out the door I steeled myself against the bullying I knew was coming.

Ryan was already waiting with a couple of his followers when I reached the bus stop.

"Hey Cinderella before the magic." Ryan teased, tying in his jeer from yesterday about being ugly.

I swallowed my pain, ignoring him and sitting on the curb. Though today I'd decided to wear jeans and a simple t-shirt instead of a dress.

"Awww, what? Sad that no one is attracted to you?" He teased, walking toward me.

This time I was faster, I stood up and walked away before reach me.

"Where you going?" Ryan continued, walking after me.

I was determined now not to respond. He couldn't win today, not after yesterday. Breathing deeply, I held my tongue and resisted my temper. If they wanted me to be a goody goody, then I'd be exactly that.