New Beginnings

Chapter 4

Alessia (pov)

I laid on my bed staring into the darkness. What just happened right then? Kaitlyn turned out to be pretty decent.

I fell asleep mumbling different animals in my head for the next time we played.

I woke up early the next day because the sun was all over my face. Mahn! This heat would be the end of me.

I showered and quickly put on my vest, making sure I tucked it in my shorts. I didn't want any ugly scars on my back visible. The faded ones on my legs were enough.

As I entered the kitchen I was greeted by the whole Peterson clan.

"Good mornin' Alessia"

Ned greeted me with a smile.

"What's so good about it?"

He ignored my remark and kept smiling at me.

"Why don't you eat your breakfast then meet us out back?"

I watched as he and Jake headed out the kitchen door.

Great. Now what?

It was just the womenfolk in the kitchen now.

Sara placed a very hearty breakfast infront of me with a smile. My stomach embarassingly growled loudly at the sight of it.

Kaitlyn just kept smiling at me like we had our own little private joke.

I couldn't help but give her a small smile.

Seeing this, Lily seized the opportunity and gave me a huge grin.

Jeez this family needed to tone down their smiles. Their happy was too loud.

"Are you my new sister now?"

"No."

She looked hurt.

"I'm just here to eat your food then when I get sick of it, I'm out the door."
I smiled at her winking.

"But mama said you'll live with us.."

"Why don't you let Alessia eat her food Lily. Go see if your dad needs any help." Sara interrupted her.

As she got down her high chair she tripped and fell knocking over her cereal bowl making a huge mess on the kitchen floor.

I gasped at the noise and held my breathe, waiting for Sara to give her the smacking she deserved.

I wanted to hide under the table. I didn't think I would be able to handle it. She was too cute to punish.

But as I waited for it, it never came.

Kaitlyn just stood up to clear the mess while Sara was busy checking her daughter for any bruises, giving her light kisses all over her face.

Slowly I let out the breathe I didn't realise I was still holding and put down the fork I had a death grip on.

Whatever was going on, I had no idea.

It was like being in a twilight zone and everything just happened in slow motion.

I quickly got up and headed outside.

How could she do it?

My mother.

Over and over again.

How did she manage to look down at me and hit me the way she did.

I was so young.

Always sure I had deserved whatever I got.

Always trying to please her.

My thoughts got interrupted by Jakes loud voice.

"Heeyy. Glad you decided to come."

I just squinted at them. The sun was blazing.

They hovered around what looked like a boat.

"You good with your hands?"

I looked up at Ned and just shrugged in response.

"We're sanding it today. This baby is almost done."

I stood a good ten feet from them. Not really sure what to do.

"Grab a sandpaper and let's see what you're made of."

I slowly approached them and picked up a sandpaper.

They didn't rush me, which I appreciated.

I watched them work while they talked about anything and everything.

I envied Jake. I always wanted that.

A father.

A father who would just be that for me. A dad.

I didn't want much.

I always used to make up a make-believe dad.

I would always imagine that he had gone off with the army and that anytime he'd come and get me away from her.

Far far away.

I walked to the far end of the boat and started sanding.

It was a huge boat. It would take forever to be done.

I watched them laugh at something funny Jake had said, they never seemed to run out of things to talk about.

I couldn't handle this anymore.

It was so unfair.

They had this happy family the whole time I'd been going through hell.

I just dropped the sandpaper and walked away.

I walked fast towards the beach.

I could hear Jake calling after me but I didn't stop.

Tears burning as I desperately tried to hold them in.

I started running.

It was too painful being here.

I had to go now.

I ran till the water was now gently splashing at my feet.

I then stopped because I couldn't swim.

I couldn't swim because who the hell had the time to ever teach me?

I sat down and rested my head on my knees.

The gentle waves calmed me as they kept coming to me and leaving.

It was like they wiped my sorrows and took them away into its imensity.

I was now all wet but I didn't really care.

I sat there until I regained my stony composure.

I got up and as I turned around I found Jake at the back, sitting down watching me with a worried look.

Had he been there the whole time?

I walked back now, stopping when I reached him.

I sat a few feet away from him and dug my feet into the sand.

We sat in silence.

It was a pleasant silence.

"Are you okay?"

He asked without looking at me.

"I'm getting there."

I gave him the most honest answer I could.

He nodded and gave me a smile.

"You ready to go back in?"

I gave him a small nod and got up.

He walked slowly making sure I was right behind him.

This whole business was getting too messy.

I had to get going before I got attached to these people.