Another Night In Paradise

I awoke one morning to the beating of his heart. Staring at his tattoo's. I remember him telling ,e the stories behind all of them. It's been one year since we met and I can't seem to let it go. No matter how long he's gone. No matter how much we fight. I can't let him go.

~Almost One Year Prior~

My dad slammed me against the wall. He smelled like whiskey, and his eyes were glassy like a freshly cleaned mirror. I could feel myself tense up.

"Let's see why you're mom left you! God you look just like her. Why are you looking at me like I'm the criminal? You're the one who made her leave! She never wanted you. Never!" He spat as he slammed my head against the frame of my door. 

His words hurt worse than all of this.

Everyday since mom left he's been beating me just to fill the void of his twisted heart.

"You mean nothing to me. Are you even listening to me? Open your eyes damn it and look at me! Aubreah listen to me, I'm your father." He demands with such spite I'm startled. He grabs my ribs and pushes me up against the wall even harder, then throws me to the other side of the room. This is one of the worst things I have to deal with since mom left.

When I open my eyes I see him crying. Why is he the one crying? I'm the one in pain. 

"Dad..please..stop" I sob wincing with every word I manage.

"Don't tell me what I'm supposed to do!!" He kicks me repetitively until I no longer fight the darkness around me. Black is all I see.

The next morning I look in the almost shattered mirror across the room to see what last nights events caused. I have a bruise over my ribs and I'm pretty sure they are broken. Looking outside I can see that dad isn't home. He works every day until 5 p.m. and still doesn't get home until 9. 

I put my hair up into a bun and go make breakfast. I usually make pancakes but today seems like a different day. I look in the fridge and notice that there is a lot of food. Dad must have got it yesterday. *Be strong be strong for me. I need you to show me how to change the inside of me* My phone goes off. I look at the name..

Mom.

Everything replays from last night. Could it be true? I answer it.

"Hey mommie" I try not to sound pained

"Hey sweetie. How are things with Dad?"

"They're.." I freeze "Things are fine" I lie.

" Oh, Well that's great. I miss you baby girl and maybe one day you can come visit me?"

"I would love that."  I suppress a sob.

"Me too. Alright well I got to go sweetie. Mommie loves you"

"Love you too" She hangs up.

I really do miss my mom but I don't know what to do. There's a knock on the door and I go to answer it just to see that it's Jesse, My best friend. She looks at me in pity.

"Jess please don't look at me like that.."

"Who did this to you Aubreah?"

"No one. I just fell. I'll be okay I promise" I force a smile onto my face.

"Okay well are we still going to the concert later on"

I had completely forgotten that we were going to a Sleeping With Sirens concert tonight.

" Yeah I wouldn't miss it for the world" I say wincing through the pain.

I somewhat run up stairs get my hoodie, my keys and my beanie. Jesse is already waiting for me at the car. I get in and drive us for an hour weaving in and out of traffic. I see the stadium. We're here. I pull into the parking lot and rest me head against the steering wheel trying to calm my heart rate.

"Hey Babe you gonna be okay?" Jess asks me

"Yeah but yaknow how I get seeing him in concert." I remind her. This is out fifth Sirens concert and everyone we have been to this happened. We make our way past all of the screaming girls and hand the guy standing at the gate our tickets. Walking into the crowd. Being merged with other fans I glance at the stage. He's there. I can't stop thinking about him. He's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. His name repeats in me head. 

Justin.