Red Kisses

Chapter 1

Dedicated to cOoKi3_mOnStArR. Thank you for supporting and helping me throughout my time on Wattpad. 

Ella’s POV

Out of the darkness, his hands grabbed me by the collar, shoving me against the wall. His coarse voice, reached my ears as his grip tightened on my neck.

“You make me sick.” He breathed, the stench of his breath choking me. He gave one last blow to my stomach; then dropped me like a pin onto the cold, hard wooden floorboards. I curled up into a ball, wincing at the unbearable pain.

This is what I went through every night. A wasted ‘father’ beating me up before bed, leaving me broken and bruised. His words echoed through my mind as he left the room.

“Your mother left because of you! You ruined my life and my marriage!”

Slowly, I regained my composure, and lifted my head. I glanced at the bruises that painted my body different shades of blue and purple. My head felt heavy, as walked towards my bed, and flopped onto the mattress.  I covered my body with the rough blanket, and turned myself into a comfortable position.

As I stared up at the plain white ceiling, I imagined myself somewhere else. Somewhere away from here and him. I imagined I was talking with mum, her smiling warming my heart. She wrapped me in her arms and kissed my head. I wanted to ask her why she had gone and if she would be coming back. I couldn’t fight back the tears as the vision ended, and I was back in my room. My eye lids felt heavy as fell into a deep slumber.

The bright morning sunbeams illuminated my room, as I stretched my arms out and yawned. My body ached, as I stepped out of bed; my footsteps making the wood creak. I opened the door to the bathroom and stepped in, the cold air nipping at my skin.  I walked towards the mirror, and stared at what was before me.

My hair was damp and lifeless. My face had lost all colours as if I had left this world. Bags hung under my eyes, as I washed my face with some warm water. After brushing my teeth, I left the bathroom and strolled to my small chest of drawers, where I picked out a pair of jeans and hoodie to wear for school.

I didn’t mind going to school. Sometimes it was such a pain moving from classroom to classroom, and getting different books. I was unnoticed most of the time, staying under the radar. But at least it was away from Matthew; my father. He hated me. Blamed me for mother leaving.

And for ruining his life.

After combing my hair into a low ponytail, I grabbed my backpack, and tiptoed downstairs. I quickly got some food from the pantry before returning to the front door. My breathing was ragged, as I reached for the door handle and twisted it.

I didn’t want to run into him again today. I didn’t want to deal with him right now.

I stepped outside into fresh morning rays, breathed in a deep sigh. As I started my trek to school, my mind wondered.

It’s been five years since my mom left. I was twelve years old back then. I thought my life was perfect. That I had the best parents, I had lots of good friends and everyone loved me. That was when reality came crashing into my walls. Dad had started drinking after work and would come home ranting and beating mom. I guess she couldn’t take it anymore and left without any notice.

The school gates of Point View high school came into view, as I slipped my hands into my pockets.  I only had one friend in school; Zoe. She was the sensitive type, always doing her homework, and listening to her parents.

 I made my way through the groups of students chatting away, while searching for Zoe. I finally spotted her sitting by a large oak tree, eating an apple and reading a book.