ICON

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏

"Mom! Stop! I have school!" I cry as my mom pulls my hair.

"You're going to be late!" My mom screams.

Yeah, I wonder why.

My mom finally letting go I grab my stuff and run outside the house. I close my house door behind me and turn around to lock it and see my brother kissing a girl.

"That's your third girl this week." I yawn.

"Yeah but I've washed my sheets 10 times this week." My brother says as he winks.

Disgusted I start walking to school to meet my best friend Isla. Going to school was my favorite part of my day which a lot of people would deny but being treated horribly at home it's really my safe place.

"Lusi!" I turn my head to see Isla.

Remember that Lusi speaks bad American so they mostly speak Mandarin. I will tell when someone speaks a different language.

"Hey babes!" She says as she hugs me.

"Hey!" I smile hugging her back.

"Ready for school today?" She jumps.

"Yeah, finally." I smile.

Isla sighs, "You should really tell someone what goes on at your house. Someone can help you."

"You know what would happen if I got caught?" I ask.

"I would actually be killed." I say bringing my finger across my neck signaling me cutting my neck off.

"I just want you to be safe." Isla says seriously.

"I am safe, don't worry." I say as I put my hand on her shoulder.

AFTER SCHOOL

After the fun day at school I sigh as I prepare to open my house door.

Breathing out I open my door to see my dad on the couch with a beer.

"Ay. Get me another one." He says watching tv.

Grabbing my dads empty beer I walk over to the fridge that should be filled with food. "Here you go." I say handing my dad the beer.

"LUSI." My mom yells.

"Yes..?" I quietly say.

"I NEED YOU TO GET A DAMN JOB! DON'T YOU THINK YOUR OLD ENOUGH?!" My mom screams.

"A job?!" I say excited.

"Yes!" She screams once more.

"I'll go get a job right now!" I smile.

"Sure go ahead." My mom shoos me away.

Running out of the house I knock on Isla's door. Rapidly knocking she opens the door out of breath.