Behind The Cover

Chapter 1

People are like books, they all have a cover. The way they dress, the way their hair is cut, what brand of shoes they are wearing. You should not judge them by their covers. But, if you see through the cover they tell a story, they teach you lessons. Unfortunately most people don't see past my cover. They would see a whole different side of me.

"Ella Reese Patton!" My mother shouted at me through the phone.

"That is no way to speak about your husband!" She lectured me, even though I was a twenty-four year old woman, I could definitely make my own decisions. I clicked the end call button. She always managed to stress me out. The front door slammed making me jolt up from my seat on the couch. Matt was home. He drunkenly staggered into the living room. He stunk of vodka and cigarettes. He smirked, slowly making his way towards me. I cautiously took a step back.

"Hey...El," Matt (My Husband) growled.

"Knock it off Matt," I sternly warned. It was scary when he was like this.

"What are you gonna do kitten?" He snarled, he grabbed my wrists clutching them tightly.

"Let go Matt, you're hurting me!" I cried out. He was clutching my wrists so tightly I could feel bruises starting to form.

He leaned close to me forcing his lips upon mine. I used this as a chance to escape. I brought my knee up to his pelvis. Hard. He groaned in pain doubling over.

"You bitch," he snarled coldly, he towered back over me raising one hand striking my face.

I turned on my heels and ran up the stairs and into out room. I slammed the door and locked it behind me quickly. Tears were spilling out of my eyes as my cheek stung from where Matt had struck me. Who could guess Matt Bryerly the famous state senator would be an abusive alcoholic. He had charmed my parents easily leading them to practically arranging a marriage between us. My mother threatened me saying if I declined his proposal I would be practically disowned. She would cut off my money, take my car, job, and home, leaving me with no choice I married Matt.

--0--

I woke with a start. I was slumped against my bedroom door, images from last night replaying themselves. Shit! What time was it I had work. I checked my phone the time read 7:10 am. I had twenty five minutes to get to work. I could do this. I groggily dragged myself up and into the attached bathroom. I glanced in the mirror that was going to take a lot of concealer. I had dark circles under my eyes, and I had a large purple handprint where Matt had struck me on my right cheek.

--0--

Twenty seven minutes later I had arrived at Westport High School, where I taught AP Literature to the seniors. I glanced at my reflection one last time in the rear view mirror before bracing myself and opening the door of my Jeep Wrangler and stepping out into the parking lot. I grabbed my black messenger bag and swung it over my shoulder before making my way towards the building.

I made it to my classroom with three minutes to spare, luckily no one had showed up to class yet. I took my laptop out of my bag quickly checking my email before students began flooding into the room. The bell rang, I stood up and shut the door to the classroom.

"Okay everyone take out your copy of The Scarlet Letter," I addressed the class.

--0--

The day had gone by uneventful, after the day had ended I sat in my Jeep contemplating my options, I could go to my best friend Josie's house and stay there but then I would have to tell her what had happened, or I could go back home and face Matt but that was honestly the last thing I wanted to do at the moment. Josie's it was...