A Little Bit Stronger

Chapter Three

     5:30. My alarm clock started singing the fimiliarly ballad telling me it was time to get up. I rolled over to shut it off, forgetting about last nights events momentarilyr. I winced at the pain that shot through my body as I tried to move.  Quite frankly, I was surprised that I had slept at all the previous night. Finally able to handle the pain, I pushed myself to the edge of my bed and got up. 

     Walking over to my vanity, I saw that the hand print from Martin's rage last night was nearly invisible. No need to cover it, less work for me. There isn't even a point in me covering the marks he has left on me. No one at school gives me a second look. I rarely am fortunate enough to get passing glances from my peers, let alone have someone look at me long enough to notice the various cuts and bruises. 

     Having finished putting on what very little makeup I wear and putting my hair in the same ponytail I do everyday, I walked to my closet and grabbed the same sweatshirt I wear everyday and I pair of jeans. I walked quietly downstairs so not to wake my mother or Martin and went into the kitchen. All we had to eat was leftover pizza from the night before but when I looked into the box I saw that every piece had bites taken out I it. Thanks, Martin. 

     Glancing at the clock I saw that it was almost 6:00. If I wanted to make it to school I had to vein walking now. I grabbed my backpack and zipped up my sweatshirt, quietly closing the front door behind me. I took off down the street making my way to school. The walk to school was long, taking me at least an hour every morning, and on an empty stomach it was strenuous. I didn't mind the walk though. It gave me time to think and be alone without fear that I was doing something wrong. 

     As I passed one of the city parks I looked down at my watch and realized I was making very good time. I decided to climb one of the trees and take a break from walking. At the top, leaning back on one of the branches was the first time I saw him. He was walking through the park as well. I didn't know who he was or where he was going, but he was gorgeous. From what I could see he was tall, had short brown hair and muscles. He had on a blak shirt and jeans that made him look older than his features did. I hadn't seen him before which in a small town is unusual. An outsider. A rather attractive outsider.

     I shook my head to push away the thought. Relationships were a sign of weakness and not something I needed. All my focus had to be on school and getting a scholarship so I could get away from my family. Even if I decided a relationship would be worth risking everything I haw worked for, there would be no way he, or anyone, would want to put up with me. I sighed and jumped out of the tree, gazing off in the direction that the new boy had gone.