Just another Day in High school

Just Like You

Shelby

I hate crying. I really really do. River had only seen me cry once before and I felt like crap being so weak. Ryan set me off. His words burned in my head and bile rose from my throat.

He was right, I am use to that position. Not by choice either. My mind traveled to the thought of him and his evil ways, his all demanding way about him, the way he's hurt me.

Flashback

My feet burned as I walked the 3 miles to my house from Tori's. The sound of wheels on pavement echoed off the sleeping houses.

I turned to see who it was when the high beams blinded me. Arms wrapped around me and pulled me into the truck and I fought to free myself. Handcuffs were placed on my wrists and a bandana on my eyes.

My heartbeat out of my chest, my breathing labored. "Hey goth girl." I knew that voice. Ryan. "Ready for a good time?"

I whimpered and it only caused him to laugh. "Get your camera out." A voice answered and I gulped, Holly.

Her voice met my ears, "Goth girl, you're gonna love it. I know I do." I started to gag. A small frame straddled me and female lips were placed on mine.

She slowly removed all my clothes and I began to cry. I didn't want this. "Please stop."

"Nope," Ryan said. Holly got off me and Ryan got on me. He held my hands above my head and threw himself into me as I let out a scream. I tugged at the restraints cutting my wrists.

My body ached, face wet from tears, clothes hanging off my body. I walked slowly to my house. I could hear the screaming so I wiped my face and put on a smile and walked into my own personal hell. Ignoring the fact that rape just became part of my reality, and it wasn't the only time it would happened.

End of flashback

No one knows about that. No one knows that behind my bed are tally marks of every time, every time Ryan's hurt me like that.

"Angel please tell me what's wrong," River's voice cuts into my mind.

"I'm just stressed," I lied and felt my head pound. "I think I have a concussion."

"I need to take you to the doctor then."

"Noooooo."

"Yessssss, you need to make sure you're okay."

"I am okay, my head just hurts."

"Want some Advil angel?" He asked.

"Yes please."

"Let me go get some." He moved and left. I watched the door close and stood up walking to the attached bathroom. I looked into the mirror and grimaced.

"Damn he did a number on me." I touched my busted lip, that was bruised and hissed. My eye was black and blue and my fingers traced the outline of the discoloring.

"You're still beautiful," River said from the doorway. I turned to him and took the water and pills from him; popping them in my mouth and taking a swig.

"Thank you River, that was very sweet."

"Well it's true so why lie." I smiled softly at his words. "The elementary school bus will be here soon ready to get Kenneth and Jewels from the bus?"

"Yeah, let's go." We walked hand in hand to the bus stop. My head was swimming by the time we got there and I just wanted to sleep. I wonder what we are now. Are we together?

"You okay?" River's voice rang in my ears.

"Yeah, I-I will be," I thought for a moment, "Are we together now?"

"Yes, only if you want to be. And I'm gonna take you to the hospital if you don't get better."

"Nooooo! And yes I want to be with you River. I always have."

"Yessssss!" He said playfully. Then kissed me softly.

"Ugh. I don't wanna go."

"I know just deal with it."

"Whatever hotshot," I bumped his shoulder.

A bus rolled around the corner and I stood up straight looking for any signs of my younger siblings. The door opened and I saw Mrs. Crawford. "Hey kidos. Whatcha doin, the twins were picked up early today."

"What?!" My heart raced. She couldn't of gotten them and left again she couldn't have.

"Your mama came and got them to my understanding. What happened to your face?"

"Long story, Mrs. Crawford. Thank you. Have a good day." I said turning to go to my house.

"You too darlin."

I made my way to the front door and called out softly, "Kenneth, Jewels?"

"Not here. That whore of a mother and bitch of a wife left and took them with her." A gruff voice said from the living room.

"Oh. Sorry daddy." My father turned around and locked eyes with me. His eyes and mine, the same silver blue. I looked just like him, same eyes, same ink black hair, same build and walk. He stood from his chair, unfolding his 6'6" frame. He towered over my 5'8" frame by almost a foot. To say the least he scared me.

For good reason too, he was highly abusive and my mother very neglecting. They always fought. And he never laid a hand on my mother or the twins. Always Ethan and I. Ethan soon never got hit again when he got older. My father would never hit the twins ever. They were his baby's. He would bring home everything he could for them. Even when I was little he never did the same for me.

"What happened to your face?" He asked.

"Ryan Smith sir."

"What did he do."

"Punched me twice sir and gave me a concussion."

"Did you get him?" he asked walking to the kitchen.

"A punch to his eye and one to the nose."

I followed and hopped up onto the counter. He began digging in the freezer. "Good. Here." He handed me a bag of frozen peas.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome now, get before I change my mind."

"Yes sir," I said walking with River out the door.

"I need to talk to Taylor."

"What's that like down the street?" River asked.

"Yeah," I answered.

"Let's go then." He took my hand and we walked in comfortable silence. I could see Taylor's house at the end of the street. The navy blue shutters and the same color door.

We walked up the steps and up to the door. I placed my knuckles on the door and knocked. Time to tell my best friend about having a boyfriend and much worse my over protective older brother.