Perfectly Unseen

7: blue flowering bruise

B l u e
         flowering bruise
            ~+~+~+~

THE weekend passed slowly. Thankfully come Monday I only had one mark on my forearm, one on my outside thigh, and just a very light bruise on my cheek. It was easy to hide the extreme bruises with a long sleeved shirt and jeans. It wasn't that my father was abusive, he just didn't care about me. He'd shove me out of his way and sometimes I'd bang into things. But he never hit me or anything. I knew it could be a lot worse so I never complained about it. I had it good compared to a lot of people out there. I think the worse part about my father were his vicious words. Ashton reminded me of him in that way.

My head was resting on my desk as my thoughts repeated my fathers words to me. Worthless, ugly, and unloved. Not the most original, but I supposed it did the damage. I was glad Aurora wasn't home to be involved -even if I missed her. As worthless, ugly, and unloved as I was, my sister was the complete opposite. She was beautiful with her green eyes and our fathers curly black hair. She had friends who loved her and she was never alone. She had our fathers looks while I had our mothers. Only, my mothers qualities didn't suit me like they had suited her.

"Ailie?" Mr Sullivan was suddenly at my desk, "Did you hear my question?"

I shook my head, feeling too tired to try. I was always emotionally and physically drained after the weekend. But I guess I was even more so than usual. Maybe it was because not only were my fathers words echoing in my head, but Ash's too.

Mr Sullivan frowned, his eyebrows pinching together worriedly. "I want to speak to you after class today, Ailie."

I nodded, burying my face into my arms as I tried to stop hearing all of the hurtful words. I just needed a moment to gather myself again. It was just a little harder than usual.

"Did your pet die, little creep?" A familiar chuckle sounded out behind me as the bell rang. "Or are you just now realizing how ugly you are? You're pathetic, princess." He sneered out spitefully as I held back the tears that were threatening to spill over.

I tightened my arms around my head, trying to breathe normally. My hands clutched at my sleeves. I just had to take a moment to pick myself up again. I would be okay.

"Ailie," Mr Sullivan's concerned voice sighed as he pulled up a chair to my desk.

I looked up from my arms, giving him my attention as I fixed my glasses.

"You know you can tell me anything that's bothering you, right? You don't seem like yourself today." He eyed me pointedly with his brown eyes. He was a complete father figure to all of his students. Maybe it was because he had two girls of his own back home. "I've noticed for a while how on Mondays you become less active and involved. But today seems to be worse than normal. Is there something on your mind?" He waited patiently for my answer.

I shook my head, "I'm just tired from the weekend. I'm sorry. I'll try to wake up more." I gave him a convincing apologetic smile.

He frowned with a frustrated exhale, "Ailie, you have a bruise on your cheek." He pointed out as my blood chilled in my veins. "If there was ever anything you needed, you know I would do everything in my power to help you." His hand squeezed my arm comfortingly. "If you ever want me to talk to your father, I'll do it. It can't be easy raising two girls on his own. Sometimes a parent just needs a little help." His eyes looked sad as he probably recounted my well-known story -well, teachers all knew it.

I smiled gratefully, Mr Sullivan was a good man, "Thank you, Mr S. But I'm really okay." I began to gather my things, "Don't worry about me. My father is doing the best he can with both Aurora and I." I promised, standing up to leave for my next class.

He nodded with a grimace, "Okay, Ms Dawn. But sometimes someones best isn't good enough." He ruffled my hair playfully, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Waving I quickly jogged off towards the gymnasium just as the bell rang. As I stood in the locker room in my gym clothes, I could feel myself panic. My shorts weren't long enough to cover the purple and blue flowering bruise nor was my t-shirt. I'd have to try to keep my right side hidden from at least the teacher. Too many bruises and I knew there would be questions, and I couldn't risk that. Like I said, it wasn't like I was actually being physically abused. He just wasn't gentle when I was in his way.

As soon as I was in the gym, I sat down, hiding my leg and arm. Ashton saw me and frowned at me like I was nothing but bad decor in the room.

"Hey," Emma sat down beside me, "How was your weekend?" Her blue eyes watched me knowingly as I bit my lip.

"Fine," I lied as she zeroed in on my bruise on my check before I could hide it with my hand.

Her lips pursed together in thought, "You know you're always welcome to stay at my house, right?" Emma sighed, leaning her head on my shoulder.

"I know. But I don't want to leave Aurora alone... Just in case she decides to come home. I don't want her to be alone." I mumbled, knowing I'd never forgive myself if my father were to speak to her like he did to me because I wasn't there to take the heat.

"Alright, enough snoozing! Everyone up. Five minute warmup. Let's go!" Mr Carter yelled out, starting the timer, "Push-ups, now!"

Emma and I groaned as we got into position. My already sore muscles ached in protest. Already I wasn't a fit person, so being bruised and achy didn't help in the slightest. I did seven before I died.

"You're weak too, princess?" Ashton noticed my collapsed state as he easily did about a million with one of his hands behind his back. "Are you even good at anything besides being ugly? Pretty worthless if you asked me." He muttered, anger flashing through his dark eyes.

"Yeah." I agreed softly before shaking my head and standing up to start the jumping jacks.

He frowned, facing me as he followed my actions. "You're agreeing?" His eyebrows furrowed as his eyes swept down my body, landing on the bruise before I could turn around. "How'd you get that? Falling off your little pink bike?" He rolled his eyes.

I nervously tried to pull down the leg of my shorts. "Yeah." I clenched my jaw, facing Emma who was watching the exchange with a mad expression.

Her blue eyes were narrowed as she too saw the large mark on my leg, and then my arm. "What happened, Ailie." She grabbed my wrist, stopping my actions.

My eyes flickered to Ash as he was shamelessly staring at Emma and I with confusion written on his face. "Don't worry about it." I mumbled, pulling her to the side and out of Ashton's earshot, "I fell, okay? Don't make it out as something more than that." I stretched my arms over my head. "Are you staying here for lunch?" I changed the subject as she bit her lip worriedly.

I knew how it looked but it wasn't like that. But if there was a rumour going around about it, my dad would probably be furious. I had never given him trouble for anything he did. I didn't want to know what would happen if I did. Like I said; it could have been a lot worse. Being shoved out of the way wasn't a big deal. I could handle it. But if he started doing more and with Aurora too, I wouldn't know what would happen to our family. At least right now we were all together. I just wanted it to stay that way.