A Little Bit Stronger

Chapter Five

     I went through the rest of the day doing everything I could to avoid Parker. I don't know  what it is about him that is making me act so strange. None of this is like me, I don't swoon over boys. I don't get like this over anything, or anyone. The guy has only talked to me once for Christ sake. What is so great about this guy that's got me forgetting?

     As soon as the final bell for class rang I was off to my locker. I had to go to the store before I went home or hell would break loose when I did. Spinning my combination into my lock I heard a fimiliarl voice behind me.

     "Lacey!" Oh no.

     "Dude, we're locker neighbors!" Please God no.

     "You don't talk much do you?" He was standing right next to me now. I could feel the heat from his body next me. Snap out of it!

     "Um, I, no..." God I was an idiot.

     "That's cool. Hey so I was wondering if you could show me around. I'm still getting way lost." What is happening? Is he asking me to hang out with him?

     "I, um, I can't. I have to go. Sorry." I didn't even wait for a reply and I was running away.

     Why is he talking to me. People don't talk to me, people don't look at me. Maybe he jut genuinely wants my help. No. I know what he wants from me. He is probably just like everyone else. I have to remember that. These thoughts kept going through my head all the way to the local Walmart. All the going back in forth with myself was giving me a headache, I wanted to be out of here as soon as I could.

     I didn't have much but I had enough to get us some groceries to make dinners for the next week.  I decided I wanted to look at the clothing section. It had been forever since I got a new outfit and I just wanted to look. Walking through the racks I saw a Batman sweater. I looked into my wallet and decided that I wanted it. At that point I didn't care what my mother or Martin would say.

     When I got home I found my mom passé out on the couch. Wine today. I rolled my eyes and scoffed to myself as I went to the kitchen to put the groceries away. Deciding that spaghetti would be easiest to make I started browning the hamburger while putting things away. I didn't realize that I had left my new shirt on the table. 

     "Is dinner ready yet!" Martin's voice boomed from the hallway.

     "Almost, just waiting on the noodles" I replied quietly.

     "Good for nothin" he said when he saw my mother on the couch. He started walking to the kitchen. "So what's this?" He asked, gesturing to the sweater. 

     "I um, had enough after I bought groceries so I bought it" I said without turning around.

     "You didn't think that maybe we could've used that money for something else?" He asked taking a step closer to me.

     "We still have plenty, and it's my check. I can buy what I want" I am such an idiot. Why did I say that?

     "You know what? You wouldn't have nothin if it weren't for me. Your momma and you would be out on the streets if I didn't take you two peices of shit in" he took another step. I tried to back away but I was up against the counter.

     "Leave me alone, Martin!" I yelled. I was tired of him. That was a mistake.

     He grabbed me by my ponytail and threw me against the stove. My hand connected With the pot of boiling water and knocked it down my leg. I screamed in pain which only made things worse. He grabbed me again and threw me to the ground. I curled in a ball to protect my face and he went after my back. 

     "You are pathetic! Worthless! A good for nothing price or shit!" He screamed as he continued to kick me. When he felt satisfied with the damage he told me to get up. When I whimpered he kicked me again. I finally stood up and yelped when I felt his fist hit my face. My hand immediately flew over my eye. He push me again. 

     "Get out of my sight, Bitch" he said and spit after me. 

     I ran to my room as fast as I could. Bruises along my back, a black eye, burns on my hands and legs, and a clump of hair missing. He's done worse but the pain was terrible. I later down and cried. All I wanted in that moment was for someone to hold me. Then I realized that I was the one that put myself where I am. All alone.