Survival

Chapter 8

7 Years Later After the Accident

I'm in high school. It's my first year actually. Not that it makes a difference. My life is still the same.

For some time I've been getting bullied. Remember Jack? It's him and his crew. It started as verbal, but today he....he pushed me against the wall. Sometimes the girls slap me for no reason.

It makes me sick to my stomach. I've tried to defend myself. But there's four of them. They're stronger and more popular. The whole school follows them.

***

Well I survived another day of school. It's currently fall right now. It's November. The anniversary of my Mom and Anna. I didn't see my father that day. Most likely out.

Right now it's pretty dark outside. The sunset is taking place. As I take something out of the oven I hear the door open and slam. It startled me so much I dropped the tray of chicken to the floor. The tray made a loud noise when hitting the floor.

My Dad comes in and looks at the mess.

"Useless," he mutters.

I pick up the mess as he watches.

"Just what am I suppose to eat!?"

I continue to clean the mess while trying to ignore him.

But when he grabs my hair and pulls on it I scream out. My entire body freezes.

He's never touched me. Not like this.

"Cook something else!"

I have no idea why I said the thing I said next. "It's not my job."

He lets go of me, surprised, and I use the time to gently rub my head.

"Stop treating me like I'm not a human being! I want respect! I've said nothing for so long, but not today! I matter, too. Okay? I'm tired of this!" I stop my yelling and watch him look at me with no emotion.

I step aside and plan on going to my room. As I walk out the kitchen his hands shoot out and grab me. He didn't gives me time to prepare for what he did.

For the first time he hits me.

He slaps me. Hard.

"Stupid bitch."

He drops me on the floor and goes to his room.

I don't need a mirror to see that I have a red handprint on my left cheek.