The Battle With Myself

Chapter 1

Leandra's P.O.V.

Nine Years Ago-Age 7

Hush a bye, don't you cry go to sleep a little baby

I went to grab my stuff. My schoolbag and all the beat up binders my mom found in the dumpsters and a few folders we stole from Walgreens.

When you wake you will find all the pretty little horses

I slammed my door shut and ran down our creaky steps and across the road, making sure no one was driving down. That's how people die.

Blacks and bays dapples and greys ohhh

I knocked on my best friends door and as soon as she answered we headed to school.

See them prancing dancing

"Whaddya git for lunch, Leandra?" My best friend, Hailey asked me.

"Not much. Ma still hasn't found 'nuff money for some whole wheat bread. Workin' real hard. Proud of my Ma." I said very confidently.

Hush a bye don't you cry go to sleep a little baby.

"Same 'ere. My Ma workin' extra shifts too. She 'mazin." Hailey says.

When you awa-a-ake you'll find the pretty little horses.

"Shoulda seen her yesterday, cleanin' the house up and down right after work. What I don't understand is them outfits." I said.

Oh oh oh ohh coach and six a little horses

" Hm. Never reckoned those. I wonder what they do?" Hailey says.

See them prancing dancing

"Ooo I know! Maybe their car salesman?" I said.

"No, not car salesman!" Hailey said with a giggle.

"Maybe there.." I tried saying but what my eyes wandered to was the worst sight I have ever seen.

Hush a byeee

"Momma?" I said confused. Maybe it wasn't her. God TELL me it isn't her.

I ran down the alley near the trash to see if it was her.

It was.

Dont you cryyy

"MOMMA! MOMMA NO! NO MOMMA WAKE UP!" I shook her with so much ferocity, I yanked, pulled, kicked.

Go

"MOMMA!"

To

"WAKE UP MOMMA PLEASE! DON'T LEAVE ME!"

Sleep

"NO. No.no"

My bayyy beee.

Finally I gave up and collapsed next to her dead body.

And cried.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Three Years After

"Pumpkin! Hey!" My dad says as he comes back from work, holding groceries.

Three years ago, after my mom passed, I was lost. Hailey's parents offered to take me in as their own. I only stayed for a year but left because I didn't want to be a burden. I didn't speak for eleven months , for fearing that if I said anything, i'd cry.

I lived in a homeless shelter for about two years. There I was taken care of, well not really taken CARE. On account of the many beatings I've recieved, I think a better word is abused.

It wasn't until the third month did I start recieving letters from my dad saying he's searching for me. Apparently my mom took me away from him. My mom told me that he ran away, in hopes of finding a new life without us.

Pitiful? I know.

I was walking down the dark hallways of the shelter when the intercom called my name. They wanted me to report to the office.

When I reached the office I saw one of our superintendents, Mrs. Cole, and a man standing next to her.

"Hello Leandra. How are you this evening? Well I presume."

"I'm confused. Why did you call me here and who is this man?" I say.

The man instantly welled up with tears. "You don't remember me?"

I slowly walk towards the man. "No..should I?"

He shakes his head. "You shouldn't. You were so young when your mother-"

"How do you know my mother?" I say. I've never seen this man in my life, yet he seems to know my mom. Who is he?

He sighs and kneels down to my height. He grabs my hand. "Leandra, I'm your father."

"My...what?" I say.

This is my father. The one my mother hid from me? The one who sent me letters recently?

Yes. This is my father.

I hugged him. It's been three years since I have ever hugged anyone.

For once I knew I was gonna be safe again. A brand new beginning with my dad.

Life is looking up a bit.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Hello!

Before you read on, lemme clear some things..

1. I have a life, (ikr wow.) So i will not update EVERY SINGLE SECOND. I will also not have a plan on when the next update will be. My basketball schedule is pretty hectic.

2. The beginning where the girls sound western? they're kids. Like little kids. They aren't western.

3.Some parts in this book make you wanna cringe at times. Im working in it, I promise.

Thanks!
Stella L.