Broken

Chapter One

**Tessa's POV**

I'm walking home when I start thinking about how my dad would deal with me. He doesn't like it when I arrive late for stuff. Especially since he knows my schedule. You think I can get by with five minutes? You're mistaken, because he'll be just about ready to burst.

In all honesty, it wasn't my fault that I'm late getting home. I was at my part-time job and we had a couple boxes of clothing to hang up before closing time, but we ran over time.

My dad couldn't care less about that though. He blames me for everything.

Now it is time to face him. I enter the house as quietly as I can, but he catches me just as I'm about to go upstairs.

"Where have you been?" He demands.

"At work." I answer him.

"But you finished half an hour ago. Now where have been?"

"I was at work."

"Lies! You're late for dinner, and you didn't even call to let me know you'd be late!"

"I'm sorry."

"You're not sorry! It's all lies you're telling me." He says loudly.

"I'm not lying, Dad." I tell him.

"Yes you are! Now sit down and let's eat."

"I'm actually not that hungry anymore."

"Tessa. Sit down and eat, now."

"Yes, Dad."

Dinner is quiet, as per usual. Afterward, he makes me wash the dishes while he goes to watch grid iron.

"Tessa!" He calls out to me from the living room.

"Coming!" I reply as I dry my hands.

"Now!"

"Coming!"

He points at the floor next to the couch. "Clean that stain there."

"I don't see anything." I say.

"Don't talk, just clean the floor! Why do you always have to be so difficult?"

'Why do you have anger management issues?' I think as I grab the cleaning supplies. He gets pissed at every little thing.

I guess I'm used to all the yelling and everything; he's hit me plenty of times before. It's becoming a regular thing for me to tend to my wounds before going to sleep. Other times though, I'm scared of coming home to him.

I return to the living room and start scrubbing the floor. I'm only down for a couple minutes when my dad stands up and walks over to me.

"How long does it take to scrub a measly little stain off the floor?" He asks rhetorically.

"I'm sorry." I apologise.

"Hurry up already! I've got people coming over in less than half an hour. I don't want them to see you."

"Where am I supposed to go?"

"I couldn't care less! Just get out before they get here."

"Yes, Dad."

I finish up and start picking up the supplies.

"Hurry up!" He yells as he pushes me, making me drop whatever I'm holding. "Ugh! You're so stupid! Get out of here!"

"I'm sorry, Dad." I apologise again.

"Enough with the apologies! Just get out!" He shouts.

I put the supplies away, grab my bag, and head outside. Where the hell am I supposed to go now?