Broken

One

"I'm so excited," I whisper to Janel. Sitting in Mrs. Jackson's fifth period history class was so boring, hearing her go on and on about the importance of the Division. Even though that's something we learned in grade school.

"If you do not understand the meaning of the Locket by tomorrow, you will fail the test. And trust me, I will walk all over you today to make sure you know everything!" Mrs. Jackson says stiffly.

Suddenly a pink post-it note falls on the floor. I reach down and pick it up, careful not to draw any attention.

For what?
-Janel ❤️

I reach for my pen and quickly write back to her.

Duh, for the Locket ceremony! It's this week, remember?
-Amelia

I sneak the paper onto her desk, watching Mrs. Jackson strut around the room while talking more about the test. I glance at Janel, she's scribbling a note for me. In the meantime, I try to pay attention to what Mrs. Jackson says, just in case it's important. Then the infamous note is on my desk again, and I can't wait to read it.

I knew that. I can't wait to get out of school and finally start looking for my "soulmate"!
(P.S. Feeling good about my husband-to-be. I think he'll be hot. Not as hot as me though😉)
-Janel

I try my hardest not to laugh out loud. So instead, I give Janel a wink and listen to Mrs. Jackson for the end of the period.

When school finishes, I sit down by the old bus stop and wait for my brother Aaron to come. He's in 6th grade, and I love him so much. He's the only real family I have, besides my mom. I pop my earbuds in and listen to some music to pass the time. Drumming my fingers against my thigh, I take a deep breath. Then I see him, bouncing brown curls running up to me. I can't help but ruffle his hair and grin as he yelps, "Stop!"

I take out my earbuds and start walking with him to our house. "How was school, bud?" I ask him. He smiles at me, his adorable lopsided grin.

"Fun I guess," he says casually. "I got an A on my math test. You know I've been working hard to get good grades. For Dad." His smile fades and I suddenly feel guilty. You're so weak, Lia. You should've stopped Dad from hurting him, but you're selfish.

My heart starts aching for him as I glance at the bruises I know are there, hidden under his collar. Tears threaten to fill my eyes but I have to be strong. At least for Aaron if not for me. Finally I see my pale yellow house come into view and I stop moving.

"Aaron," I say his name slowly. "I won't let him hurt you this time. I'll do whatever it takes. But promise me you will hide. Promise?" He looks up at me, chocolatey brown eyes, and my heart sinks further in my chest. A shudder runs up my spine and I feel helpless.

"I promise," he sighs. I swiftly kiss his forehead and open the door into my house.

There's a difference between home and house. Like the old saying, home is where the heart is. I feel nowadays as if I have no heart, therefore I have no real home, nowhere to feel safe. I have a house, a shelter to protect me from things like bad weather. But I have nowhere to go to protect me from my father.

No one knows what goes on inside these walls. My father has a facade. In other peoples' minds, he is a happy man living with his perfect family with a perfect job and a perfect life. If they could only see what really goes on.