Crashes. Glass shattering. Screams. I cover my ears and try to drown out the sound of abuse. Closing my eyes, I see my mother, her fragile smile and long sleeves covering up the bruises marring her arms. She can't fully hide the ones on her face, but no one really asks anymore. It finally goes silent. I slowly put my arms down and open my door. Glancing in the hall, I notice a vase on the floor, glass scattered and glinting dully in the light.
"Mom?" I ask tentatively, creeping over the shards on the floor. "Dad? Hello?" I press my ear up to the door of my parents' bedroom. Hearing the sound of silent weeping, I open the door quietly, glancing at the king sized bed taking up most of the room. Opening it the rest of the way, my eyes immediately flash to the dark, burgundy stain on the plush white carpet. "Mom!" I scream, falling to my knees beside her head. "Oh my God, Mom! Mom, please wake up! Oh God, no!" I feel the tears start to gush out, blinding me. I whip my head around to find my father leaning in the doorway of the master bathroom, staring at my mother with puffy, red eyes.
"I didn't want to do it, Daniella, but she wouldn't stop," he whispered. "She just couldn't leave well enough alone." I watch as he pulls a 22' out of the pocket of his jacket. "I'm so sorry, D, but I can't let you go and have you telling everyone about this." He gently smiles and slowly pulls the trigger.
"Wakey, wakey, Daniella, time to go to lunch!" I wake with a start, turning to glare at my tiny best friend. "What? You didn't hear the bell, so I took the liberty to wake you myself," she grins. I stand up and grab my pencil menacingly and growl,
"You could have just shook me. You didn't have to scream in my ear!" I hurl my pencil at her retreating form, only to miss by a foot and a half. "Well, you were drooling like a St. Bernard and Mr. Stanton wanted you up as fast as possible, so I woke you up," she says matter of factually. Bending down to retrieve my pencil, I hiss.
"I don't drool like a dog!" Laughing again, she dodges my pencil of fury. I grab my bag and sling it over my back. "And for the record, you're the one who drools," I say smugly. I quickly follow her out of the room, only to be blindsided by another of my best friends, Evan.
"Damn it, Evan! Don't scare me like that, I almost had a heart attack!" I exclaim. Turning to face him, I notice once again how small I am compared to his five foot seven frame.
"It's not my fault you don't pay attention to your surroundings, you know," he points out. He grabs hold of Jenna and I, and pulls us towards the cafeteria. Walking to the line, he asks, "So, I hear you were sleeping in class again. Do tell, what were you dreaming about this time, Daniella?" I feel the blood drain from my face as I recall my nightmare. "Well?"
"Oh, uh, nothing, just random stuff..." He looks at me curiously, but doesn't ask. I grab the first tray I see, suddenly not hungry, and go to sit at our lunch table. I sit in the chair and push the food on my tray in circles.
"Hey, where's Philip?" Jenna asks suddenly. I look up and glance around the room. Not seeing my boyfriend of three years, I sink even lower in my chair. Philip would make it better, I think sadly. He would make me forget. I look up again and see my friends staring at me.
"What?" I ask, suddenly self conscious.
"You're sulking," Evan says.
"No, I'm not."
"Yeah, you are," Jenna says, eyes full of worry. "Is this because Philip isn't here?"
"I'm not sulking! And even if I were, why would it be because Philip isn't here?" I snap.
"What do you mean I'm not here?" a voice behind me asks. Flipping around and clutching my heart, I see Philip standing behind me. "Hey, D, how's my beautiful lady? And why are you sulking?" His arms wrap around my shoulders and he kisses me softly. I melt into his arms and sigh.
"I'm not sulking, I'm just a little tired, that's all," I tell him, staring into his eyes, the color of the farthest horizon. Smiling, he sits in the chair next to mine and pulls me to him, hugging me close. I close my eyes and see his face; the gentle curve of his crooked smile, the way his raven hair falls into his eyes. I wish that I could freeze this moment, never having to go back home, never having to leave Philips embrace. Never having to live a lie in the one place I should be most comfortable. Never having to return to the place where the monster that is my father dwells.
I continue to think of my nightmare as the day goes on, my classes passing by in a blur. I barely notice when Philip takes my hand as the bell rings, letting us out of school. Noticing my obvious absence from the moment, he grabs me and plants his lips on mine, forcing me to take notice of him. I pull him hungrily towards me, relishing in the feel of his mouth on mine. He finally pulls away, smiling his crooked smile.
"I knew that would get you to listen," he jokes, weaving his fingers in mine. "Now, please tell me what's wrong, and don't try to deny it. I know you too well." Looking into his stunning eyes, I tell him the truth.
"I had a nightmare in fourth period, when I fell asleep," I whisper. Glancing down at our hands, I notice my sleeve is coming up. I reach down and quickly pull it over the scars that cover my exposed wrist. I look back up, and, wrapping my arms around him, I pull his face towards mine, locking my lips onto his. He presses his hands into the small of my back, bowing my body into his. Electric fire burns through my veins, making me wonder if the people around me can see the glow emanating from under my skin.
(hope you all enjoyed the first chapter! more coming soon :D)
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Breaker
Teen FictionDaniella Grey is the girl with the seemingly perfect life. Perfect looks, perfect boyfriend, perfect home, perfect life. But nobody can see through closed doors, or the mask she puts on to hide the truth. Her father, a successful business man by day...
