All Alone

3

I wake up and the weather perfectly matches my mood. Grey, gloomy and rainy.

I stand in the shower until all the hot water's gone they get ready for another dreadful day of school.

I board the school bus and as I'm walking down the aisle to my favorite spot at the back Christine sticks out her foot and trips me up. I hit the floor with a thud dropping my bag and my phone. The bus turns into a roar of laughter.

I lay on the floor frozen with embarrassment. Someone whispers "she's dead," and at that point I wish I was. The bus turns deathly silent and I roll onto my back to find fifty or so pairs of eyes glued to me.

"Whoops," Christine says snickering as I haul myself up.

I quietly gather my stuff and head to the back of the bus where I hide my face behind the seat in front of me.

Everyone returns to their own conversations with each other while I plan what would be the best way to kill myself.

Again the bus halts in front of the school and all the cliques exit together. I walk alone casting my eyes down occasionally tripping over my own feet.

"Ok young delinquents, today we'll be drawing self-portraits!" Ms Young says smiling.

Ms Young is my favourite teacher. She's funny and doesn't let anything bother her.

"You ok Kimberly?" she says smiling warmly. I nod quietly opening my sketch pad and taking out my art pencils.

"I heard about your conflict with Ms Hindsbury," she continues. "Geez is that all you teachers do? Gossip about the students?" I exclaim. She laughs. "You miss her don't you?" Ms Young says.

Ms Young is the only person I've told about my mother's death. It's like our little secret.

I nod slowly. "you'll be fine sweetie, " she says and goes to the next student.

I look into the mirror and begin copying what I see.

"Wow you've drawn your eyes with such sadness and loneliness," Ms Young says observing my self portrait.

I don't want it to be sad or lonely. "Stop reading into it," I say getting riled up. "Sorry Kim," she says patting my shoulder.

Her comment stings hard.

I'm forced to stand in front the entire 8th grade maths class and apologize to Ms Hindsbury. "Ms Hindsbury I am deeply sorry for my behavior in our last class together. It was rude and disrespectful."

Worse two minutes of my life.

Detention is just as boring with bad boys and kids who forgot homework. When it finally finishes I gather my things and run through the school gates.

I go to dad's workplace in town for a change and luckily he's there.

"Kimberly! Why are you here?! " he says astonished. "Making sure you come home," I say flatly. "I always come home poppet, " he replies. "What time?" I respond. "Depends," he shrugs. "depends on what?" I say. "Kimberly Marie Weatherhead! Stop interrogating me and get your sauce home!" he booms clearly aggravated. "No!" I say standing my ground. "What?!" he says. "I said-" .

He slaps me across my face. I clutch the spot where he slapped and begin to cry. "Home," he says pointing towards the door. I hang my head hiding my face grab my bag and wait for a bus I get on with tears of rage stinging my eyes.

As soon as I get off the bus the rains starts pouring buckets. I don't have my umbrella so I pull my hoodie over my head and walk home in the rain.

When I get home I take a shower in freezing water trying to give myself pneumonia. I wrap a towel around myself and blow dry my hair.

I lay in my bed staring at the ceiling when I notice a deep red leather book on my shelf.

I take it down and on the cover written in my mother's handwriting 'memory diary'. I smile and begin to read.

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What an Abusive father! What do you think of his actions? Comment and vote.

Thanks and Read on.