The Secret Dancing Life

The Secret Dancing Life -- School --

I was glad because it was the first day back after the Christmas holidays. It meant that I could spend the day away from my father and suffer less brutal beatings. He was clever in ensuring he didn't do it too hard when I was at school so I could cover them up easily. I got out of bed, grabbed a pair of skinny jeans and a hoody, and headed for the shower. Once I was done, I came back in a happy mood. I would be seeing Megan as she spent time with her family away. I dried my hair, pulled it up into a neat ponytail, and pulled on a pair of Converse. I had saved up for these, and I loved them. I put on light makeup and headed downstairs, hoping my father was asleep on the couch so I could leave quickly. I tip-toed towards the kitchen, missing all the creaky floorboards. I heard faint snores, and I smiled. I headed into the kitchen and made myself a quick breakfast. I was putting the bowl away when he came into the kitchen.
"Where is my breakfast?" He bellowed, and I paled. I turned around slightly and noticed the almost empty bottle of beer. I knew that I was in for it as he had a drink. I shot my eyes to the floor, knowing it was my best option.
"I am sorry, sir. I thought you were asleep and didn't want to disturb you." I hoped that he would let me go this time. Wrong. He strode over to my side of the room in three giant steps and backhanded me across the face. I bit my lip so I couldn't shout, knowing it made it worse.
"What kind of excuse is that?! You are just like your mother! A worthless piece of nothing. Make my breakfast. Now." He shouted again and received another blow. I nodded weakly and quickly assembled his breakfast, which was the same as mine—some toast with butter. I was careful not to burn the toast, knowing he would flip again. He grunted, staggered to the table, and slumped into a chair. I walked over quickly with the plate, placed it gently before him, and walked away.
"Where is the jam?" He yelled, and I flinched. Damn. I had forgotten the jam. I cringed as I returned to him and picked the plate up.
"I am so sorry. I didn't mean to." I stammered, and he backhanded me again, causing the plate to slip from my grip and smash on the floor. I knew that I was in for it now. He shot up from his chair and punched me across the cheek. I staggered back, and he took the advantage and struck me again. I fell to the floor and felt his foot impact with my side. I groaned in pain and tried to be as quiet as I could as he kicked me over and over. Once satisfied, he staggered to the fridge and grabbed another beer.
"You are a whore." He muttered as he went back into the living room. I felt the silent tears roll down my face as I tried to get up. I managed to pull myself up and grab my bag. I headed out the door quickly and dived into my car. I then let the sobs flow, and I cried my eyes out from all the pain. After I was done, I wiped my eyes, inspected myself in the mirror, and cringed. I already had a black bruise coming up, so I grabbed some foundation from the glove compartment and dabbed it gently. I covered most of it up before leaving for school. I pulled out of the driveway and drove to school, feeling my ribs ache.

I pulled into my usual parking space next to Megan's. I smiled as I saw her sitting on her bonnet with her coat wrapped tightly around her. I rechecked myself in the mirror and added more foundation, hoping it was covered enough. I then got out of the car and met Megan at the bonnet of her car. She eyed me for a second and then dived on me.
"Oh my god! I have missed you so much; it has been so boring without you!" She squealed, and I flinched from her intensely tight hug. She seemed to notice and pulled back. She eyed my face closely and then frowned.
"It happened again, didn't it?" I nodded.
"Yeah. What do you expect, Meg?" She frowned.
"You really should report this and then get adopted by my parents." I smiled grimly.
"If it were that simple, Megs." She shrugged and checked her nails.
"I don't see what is difficult about it. We tell the police and show them the marks. They arrest your father, and then once you get put into adoption, we come along and save you." I laughed at her enthusiasm.
"I can't megs."
"Why not? I worry about you. I worry that one day he is gonna hit you, and you aren't ever gonna get back up again." I sighed.
"Let me worry about that. Let's get off this topic, as I hate it. How was your Christmas?" With that, Meg dropped the subject and launched a detailed description of what she had done over the Christmas holidays. She continued as we walked to our form room and continued through form. She didn't stop until she was told to be quiet by our English teacher in the first period, and even then, she wasn't done. I was glad for the distraction and always loved hearing about other people's lives and how perfect they are. Meg went bright red at being told off and put her head down, which caused me to giggle.

I then heard the giggling from the sluts, and then I knew that they were giggling about us. I could hear them whispering, and I tuned it out. I had heard it all before, and I was interested. I looked back at the board and then concentrated for the rest of the lesson, making the right notes. I needed a good education to attend dance college and then move away from my father. I hope. When English was over, I grabbed my bag and headed towards the door with Meg in front. Suddenly, I was on the floor. I looked up bewildered and noticed that I had been tripped by one of the sluts. They looked down at me and laughed. I sighed and pulled myself up.
"Oops. I didn't see you there, loser." One said and rolled my eyes mentally. I then noticed Meg storming her way to me with a furious look.
"You just can't leave her alone, can you?" He yelled, and the sluts laughed.
"And what is a little nobody like you gonna do?" One sneered, and Meg looked as if she could kill someone.
"Rip your little plastic head off for a start!" She yelled and went to go for a blonde. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her back, ignoring the aching in my ribs. The sluts looked taken aback and then began to laugh when they realised that they weren't going to get hit.
"Oh, that's such a shame. Filthy nobody." Meg wriggled harder, and eventually, I pulled her towards the door.
"Why, you little bi-" Meg started, but I had pulled her out of the door. I then let go of her in the corridor.
"What the hell were you thinking?" I said, frustrated, and Meg shrugged.
"Someone had to stand up to them." I groaned.
"Yes, I agree, but we are supposed to keep a low profile here, remember? Fighting with them plastic Barbies doesn't help anything."
"Yeah, it does." Meg said, shrugging.
"Enlighten me Meg." I sighed.
"It would help me and make me feel better knowing that they couldn't pick on you anymore." All my anger diffused, and I hugged her.
"Thanks, Megs, but you shouldn't do that for me. I can deal on my own."
"But you don't do anything!"
"That's the point." I then started walking to the next lesson.

I was sitting at lunch with Meg in the library when I got a text. I pulled my phone out and smiled at the caller ID.
"I know that smile! What is it this time?" Meg asked excitedly, and I laughed. When I opened the text, it was from my dance agent/instructor, Linda.

Linda: Hey Nora! I have another video for you to do in a week, so you need to come down to the dance studio right after school so we can practice.

I grinned at the text and couldn't wait to hit the studio. Linda also knew about my other life, as she had seen the bruises when I had made a jump. She hates the fact that I won't tell anyone else and get help. She doesn't say anything, but she helps me out and makes sure that my secret stays a secret and no one finds out what I do. I quickly sent another message back.

Me: Hey Linda! Okay. I will be there after school and can't wait to see who I am dancing for this time! I will be there later.

I soon had a reply.

Linda: Okay, that's brilliant, and are you gonna bring Meg?

Me: Yeah, I will.

Meg was nodding so fast that I thought it would fall off.

Linda: LOL! Okay, see you later.

Meg often accompanied me to dance rehearsal, and I was glad of the company. It was nice to have an outside opinion. I put my phone away and turned to face the now-beaming Meg."Oh my god! Who do you think that it will be?" I laughed."I don't know. We will have to wait and see.""Okay! Though I don't think that I can wait that long." I rolled my eyes. She was like a small child locked inside a sweet factory."Well, you are going to have to." We then began discussing who I could be dancing for next, and I grew excited. The bell went, and then we both headed to class, wondering who I was dancing for. We could not wait for the day to end. What I didn't realize was that I would have a shock when I got there.