Boys

Chapter 8. No Need to Lie

I slowly made my way down the streets back to my home thinking about everything that has happened in the last week. I needed to get my priorities straight, but the more I thought about it the more I hated myself. -I'm beautiful, my name is Natalie, I'm happy being just me, I'm daddy's little princess, I'm the perfect daughter in a perfect family.- I thought, but as I made it through my gate to see my father standing on the porch I knew right then that it was all a lie.

"Where have you been young lady?!"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "I was at D'Shawn's place..."

"D'Shawn?" he shook his head in irritation. "Go inside Renee set your dress out."

"Dad I was thinking that maybe I could wear something more..."

"Do not start a scene out here. Go change now."

I watched him retreat back inside with defeat as I fidgeted on my own for a few more moments. I sighed knowing I couldn't say or do anything and went up to my room to change as I was told... Just like an obedient daughter should. The dress Renee had bought me was laying flat on my bed in a neat display and I slowly picked it up, putting it to my body to examine how the design would look on my sun kissed skin. I wrinkled my nose and scoffed at the thought of me in the ugly thing before throwing it back onto the bed.

-I'm tired of running away...- I thought pulling my fingers through my long hair. I froze and looked into the mirror, remembering the blissful dream I had had a few days before at the swim meet. I looked down at the red handled scissors beside me and slowly picked them up turning them over in my hands when something in me clicked. -I'm tired of running away from who I am...- I thought grabbing a strand of my long auburn hair between my thumb and forefinger. -I won't run away anymore!- I thought with an odd sense of determination. I pulled on the strand and cut the first chunk of my hair.

"I refuse to run from this anymore!"

I took fistfuls of my hair and began to cut at each chunk until it grew shorter and shorter. I smiled at the person reflecting back at me and continued to snip at the strands wanting to clean up the choppiness.

"I won't just lie about this anymore."

I chuckled softly as I ran a brush through my now short hair knocking out as much of the loose strands as I could. I smiled at the new hair cut and looked over at the dress giving it another disgusted look. -I won't be needing that tonight.- I thought, walking over to my closet and pulling on a black button up, and dark blue jeans.

DING DONG!

I sighed when I heard the door open and voices filled the air downstairs with happy chatter. I bit my lip starting to feel self conscious, but quickly pushed the thought aside when I heard Nikki, Sosuke, and D'Shawn laughing with one another. I nodded to my reflection and grabbed my batman beanie, fixing it on my head. Then with a deep breath I made my way down the stairs and looked around at some of the confused looks I received.

"Natalie can I see you in the kitchen for a moment?" Renee asked.