My Deepest Fear

Chapter 3

I woke up to a hot burning sensation on my skin that felt as if someone had almost set me on fire. When I opened my eyes I wasn't surprised that it had been my dad pouring hot water on me while drinking yet another beer.

"Get up" He said without showing any emotion of care.

"What the fuck is your problem huh? Why do you always abuse and rape me like I'm some type of toy to you? Is it because we lost mom? It's not my fault she's dead you know, I didn't kill her ".I yelled. I wasn't planning on saying anything except for, 'yes sir' but somehow I managed to get those words out; more specifically, my feelings.

I was scared to be honest. But it just felt so good to get most of the things I never understood out of my system. I was just sitting there with my purple face that was soaked in a puddle of tears. I watched him as he kept opening and closing his mouth trying to say something before dropping to his knees. Tears formed in his eyes and they dropped on his cheek, racing down his face.

"A -- Ashley -- I'm so sorry." That was all he said. I wanted to believe it but I knew that when he got drunk or high again he would try to come in here and do it all over again. Instead  I got out of bed and stood there looking down to his level. "Pathetic."  I said. I shook my head and tried to hurry into the bathroom. I wanted to see Noah.

"I'll make it up to you Ashley, I promise" He said, then left. I didn't wanna have a bad day today so I shrugged it off and threw on my all denim outfit. I didn't have many clothes if that's what you're thinking. Before Mom died, she left me about 700 dollars just in case something happened. It wasnt alot of money but I knew that was all she had, and I was grateful. It was hard though. Five  years is a long time. And I had to make the money stretch.

~~~~~•••••~~~~~

Walking up to the front doors of my school I noticed that I didn't see Noah, Nia, her followers, or the boy bullies I had. I must've been really late. I walked to my locker and grabbed my books for first period. Turning multiple corners, I finally got to first period. "Late again?" Mr.Fred asked."yes,sir" i said. "This is my last time letting you slide, do you hear me Ms.Walker?" He asked."Yes, sir" I said again.

I saw Noah sitting at a table way in the back of the classroom. Of course I was going to sit next to him. He was my only friend. "Hi" I said in a low voice. He just stared. It was getting awkward and I was thankful that I was really late because we only had about 5 minutes left in class. I took out a book and started to read it. I could still feel Noah's stare burning a hole through me."Hellloooooo" I said, snapping my fingers in his face." Maybe he's staring at how ugly you are " Nia said. The whole class started laughing. Then Noah snapped out of his gaze.

" What's so funny?" he asked Nia as she was still laughing with the class. " Isn't it true that you were staring at how ugly Ashley's face is?" She asked once again laughing even harder. I lowered my head. Noah lifted my chin up for me to look at him. I smiled a fake smile. " I was actually staring at how beautiful she is" he said so the whole class could hear. I blushed but didn't make it noticeable. "Are we looking at the same person?" Nia asked, looking at me like I was the dirtiest person alive. "I guess we aren't, sinse you obviously think she's ugly" he said, still holding my chin."Psh, whatever. You ain't that cute. I mean I can get any boy I want" She spat again. "That's hoe behavior" he yelled before the bell rang. Noah had everyone in the class dying from laughter. Nia's followers even laughed at her. I was just happy I had Noah around. I just had to find out why he was so cold and moved so fast. I missed so many days of school, and haven't been paying attention that much because of the bullying, so there's still alot of  stuff that I still didn't know.

Was being cold like Noah and Nia normal? Did they have a disease that made their bodies hard? What was it? There was like so much more to learn.

"You okay ma?" Noah asked. I blushed. "mhm" We were heading to lunch. I sat down at an empty table with  Noah. "You don't want any lunch?" he asked. "I do" I said. "Well getcha' ass up and hold ma hand" he said. I was now laughing really hard. I haven't laughed in a long time. I only smile here and there. I did as told and walked hand in hand with Noah up to where we get our lunch. We both got multiple stares but Noah told me don't worry about it because no matter what you do people will always have a reason to hate. " What can I get you two?" The lunch lady asked. "I'll have a taco on a soft shell and an orange juice" I said. "I'll just have a slice of pizza and a water " Noah said "AND ILL HAVE-" Nia started "shut up bitch no one cares" Noah said making me laugh. "that'll be $5.73" the lunch lady said while giggling at Noah's last words. I started to pull out my money until Noah told me not to worry and to save my money. I guess he noticed that I did need to keep money in my pocket just in case of an emergency.

We sat back down and ate our food in silence until I decided to ask Noah about his features since it was Friday and I wouldn't see him tomorrow.

"Noah..?" I asked."mhm" he said looking up from his pizza."Why are you so cold and hard" I asked speaking a little low." If I told you, you wouldn't believe me" he said. " And what if I do " I asked. " I don't know, but I hope you don't end our friendship" he said, putting his pizza down." I promise I won't" I said. " I'll tell you tomorrow at the movies" he said, and winked." What does that mean?" I asked confused." I wanna take you to the movies tomorrow. I mean, if that's okay with you" he said. I was shocked. I never got this far to where someone wanted to take me somewhere. "Um -- s -- sure" I said before taking another bite out of my taco. To my surprise Nia didn't take my lunch. I think things just might start to change." Great, I'll pick you up around 6:00" he said cheesing like an idiot."okay" I laughed.

~~~~~•••••~~~~~

When I got to the front of my house I just stared at it. "here goes nothing" I said before opening up the front door. My jaw dropped, like almost to the floor. The house was sparkly clean.bThere weren't any beer bottles, cigarettes, or weed to be seen. I smiled as I saw my dad come out of the kitchen with gloves on that were wet. He saw me and smiled. "I didnt hear you come in" he said."yeah," I paused to try and process what was happening and what has happened. " I see you've been cleaning up the place" I  said. "Mhm, I'm also going to rehab,"

A single tear escaped my eye. He was trying to get clean so we could be happy and all I had to do was stand up to him? I was so proud, but just a tad bit angry. I ran to give him a hug. I knew that he would try to change but I didn't know that he was this serious. He hugged me back and I felt his tears started to come down as they hit my forehead. "I promised you I'd make it up to you" he said letting me go." I know " I said. "I'm leaving you money and lots of food in case I'm gone for long" he said. I hugged him again. "I'm so proud of you" I said. "He chuckled. "You sound just like your mother" he said with tears still falling. I smiled." I'll be leaving in an hour so go and do your homework ". "Okay" I said as I walked upstairs into my now pink and purple room. I loved the fact that I actually have a life now.

~~~~~•••••~~~~~

As I was about to walk into the movies with my pink dress on and my brown curly hair down, someone pulled me onto their back and ran as fast as they could. It was like how Nia and Noah ran."LET ME GO!"I yelled trying to get down." CALM DOWN" they yelled back while putting me down beside the nearest tree in the woods."Its me Ashley". I couldnt see the persons face and I didn't know why he was hiding. Suddenly he took me to a spot that had more shade. He then took off the hood and showed me his fangs."I'm a Vampire Ashley" he said.