Behind the Mask

Chapter 1

I was all hot and sweaty after practice. I had my towel on my neck and water bottle in my hand. I squirted some in my mouth as I walked to my truck, to wait for my brother. I spread out in the bed of my truck. I closed my eyes, before you know it I was asleep. My practice ends 15 minutes earlier than Josh's so I'll get a small nap. The nightmares came. Black, swirling in my brain. They were kicking me, slapping punching. And they were trying to hurt Joshua. I was screaming for them to leave him and to leave me alone. I woke up and screamed at someone, "DON'T TOUCH ME!" And there were tears in my eyes. I looked an it was Josh, and Travis. I scrambled to get up and threw myself in the cab. I ran my shaky hands over my face. Wiping away the stray tears. Travis came to the window and knocked. I jumped and hit my head on the roof. Holding in a scream, I opened my door. I looked around and Josh had disappeared. "He went to go put his cleats in his locker." Travis told me. He leaned on the open door. Looking at me intently. "You ok?" He asked. No. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a really bad nightmare." I said. He knew I didn't want to tell him about it so he dropped it. "So have you come up with your answer yet?" "Huh?" I made a face. "To go with me Saturday?" He pressed. It clicked. "Oh yeah!" I thought. Stay home and go through hell or go with him and go through the nicer version of hell? "Yes. I'll go." I told him. He smiled. "Great!" I nodded. "Hey, I'll give you my number and you can text me the details later." I said, softly. He handed me his phone and I put my number in it. I handed it back to him. My face still somber I'm guessing because he said, "Hey, girl turn that frown upside down." And poked my cheek. I half smiled. And looked in his eyes. They had flecks of green and golden brown in them, and they were this brilliant blue. I hadn't ever seen such beautiful eyes. "Well, I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow Roxy." He said. I nodded and Josh showed up just about then. They did that weird guy handshake thing and he got in the truck. "Alright. Spill." He said. "There's nothin to spill, baby brother." I said. Eyes on the road. He groaned. "Yes, there is. Now spill." He said. "It's the same one as always." I said. He nodded. He scooted over to the middle and put his arm around me. We got home and I tensed. He felt me tense. "Roxanne. Tonight we are both running." He said firmly. I shook my head. "We tried that. They almost broke my arm the last time." He sighed. "Whatever. Let's just go." He moaned. We got out and walked up the front steps and through the door. I was about to walk up the stairs but my dad called me. "Roxanne!" He bellowed. We both tensed. We walked into the kitchen where him and my mother were. They both had a beer in their hand. I resisted rolling my eyes. "Sir?" I said. "Where were you and you brother?" He asked. "Practice. Like always, dad." I said. He nodded. My mom nudged him. "Well, get on with it." She giggled. My dad looked at me. Oh no. I nudged Josh. "Go get a shower. Wait for me." He said. I froze. No, no, no, no, no, no!! Not again. Please not again. "Dad...please." I whispered. My mom sneered. "Oh look...trying to get out of it?" And took a swig of beer. I bit back the tears. "Well, what did I say bitch! Go take a shower!" My dad bellowed making me jump. I turned stiffly and when I was out of sight. I ran up the stairs. Josh right behind me. I started shaking. The tears spilled over. Josh hugged me. He held onto me tight. "Go. Take Jigsaw and go." I told him. He shook his head. "Not tonight." He said. I pushed him. "You. Are. Going. Now go. I love you and I do not want you to witness this now go." I hissed. He reluctantly went. Tears shining in his eyes. We both knew what was coming. And neither of us liked it. He snuck out the window and rode off. I climbed in the shower and shaved my legs and washed my hair and body. I finally got the courage to get out. I wrapped myself in my towel and walked out. Only to be grabbed by my dad. "Took you long enough, Roxanne." He growled. "I-I'm sorry." I stuttered. He rolled his his and then looked at me. His breath stinks. Reeks of alcohol. He shamelessly looked me over. "Please daddy." I begged him to not do this. He backhanded me am I fell to the floor. "Get up!" He barked. I slowly got up. He threw me onto my bed and ripped my towel off of me. I tried one more time, "Please. Please don't do this dad. If you love me, please don't do this to me!" I sobbed. He smirked. "That's just it....I don't love you." And that was that. Tears rolled down my face and I asked God why.