What Is Love

Chapter 1

​You never know what love is until it hits you in the face. Love smack me right in my face once and took my on a rollercoaster of wild and crazy experiences. I tried to find love young thanks to my dad since he didn't want to love me. It all started my 7th grade year, my body started maturing faster than my friends. So I got attention that I didn't want. My friends and I started a game that we pick a male friend and call them boyfriend. The boy I called my "boyfriend" his name is Anthony. He was like one of my best friends.
It all started one morning when he greeted me at the door, "hey fake girlfriend" "good morning fake boyfriend" I said back. He walk with me to breakfast and sit with me as I ate my food. He stared at me the whole time. "Do I have something on my face?" I asked. "No, I'm sorry I was just admiring your beauty." He replied. I put my face down and so he wouldn't notice me smiling. As school went on I notice Anthony was walking me to every class and low key watching me. When I got to my last period I seen my best friend and scream her name,
"Sssssssshhhhhaaaaannnnnoooooooooooonnnnnnnnn!"
"Yes best friend"
"Why is Anthony giving me so much attention?"
"Maybe he like you, you should give him a chance"
"I don't know about this"
"It wouldn't hurt to try"

​I thought about it so hard my brain was going to pop out. Once I was going to make a decision my principal got one the loud speaker and said "Tomorrow will be dress for success day." Then my mind started to think about what to wear and forgot all about Anthony. When I got home later that I ran through my clothes like a track star. I came across my all black outfit that I wore to my sister all black party. Then my dad bust in my room yelling like a mad man "GET OUT!" I screamed "who the fuck you think you talking to." He hollered as he slapped me across the face. As I weep crying crawling across the floor he pulled me back by leg throw me against the wall, "Your mine little bitch and you're going to obey me." "Why can't you just leave me" I said crying. My father kissed my neck as I cried grasping for air. My eyes rolled back and I felt my body go numb. Suddenly, I heard my mom yelling "what the fuck are you doing to my child, get off of her" "Shut up Precious this all she gone be good for" as he said with his pants half down. My mom ran up to him and kick him in his balls. I drop to the ground and started crying over again. My mom grabbed me took me in her room. That night I cried myself to sleep.

​The next morning my bruises on my neck still showed. It was so bad my mother had to use all her make up to cover it. As she cover my bruises I cried and asked "Why doesn't my father love me?" my mom sat down and gave me hug and said "your father has problems and he going to get help." She gave me a kiss on the forehead and wipe my tears. "Everything is going to be fine don't worry baby girl just go to school and try to have a good day." I got dropped in front of my school. I seen Anthony and ran to him. He grabbed me and pick me up, "Hey beautiful, you look nice today." "Thank you." I replied smiling.
"Did I tell you, you were beautiful?"
"Yes."
"Come here."
I walk up to Anthony and he gave me a kiss. I had a flash back of what my father did that night and started crying.
"Did I do something wrong?" he asked
"No you didn't it isn't you."
"So why are you crying?"
I wipe apart of the makeup and show him my bruises. His eyes widen and face whiten.
"Who the fuck did this to you?"
"My father, you got to keep it a secret."
"Baby girl did you tell anyone? Does your mom know?"
"Nobody knows but my mother, I don't know what to do."
He look at me in disbelief and shook his head.
"You can always stay with me."
"Of course"

​We walk into the school together and as we walk the halls everybody looking at us. I felt like they can see right through me and see what was under my makeup. "Anthony they're staring they know what happened." I said sadly "No they don't their probably wondering why we're together." He responded. As we walk to my class I notice my teacher Ms. Lopez staring at me.
"Good Morning Erica, Good Morning Anthony."
"Good Morning Ms. Lopez." We both replied
"Is everything okay Erica?"
"Yes, why wouldn't it."
"I'm just making sure never seen you two together." She said as she walk away.
Anthony pulled me into the corner and grabbed my face, "Noo noo please don't" I whispered "Erica stop stop I'm not going to do anything to you." He pick my face up and repeated himself "I'm not going to hurt you." Whipping my tears he look at me and said "Erica I love you I always did since we first met. I want you to be mine. I can take you away from all the pain. You're too beautiful to be treated like this." I stopped crying and look up at him smiling agreeing to be with him.