Through our Eyes (On Hold)

Chapter 4 Emelia POV

I continue to stare at myself in the mirror expecting her to pop up again, but the normal me continues to stare back. I grab my brush and passed it through my hair. Still in shock I try to pick a presentable outfit for today, but I don't have much to wear so I put on a pair of black skinny jeans with a gray top and a white hoodie. I slip on my converses, and after brushing my teeth I quickly run downstairs. At the last step I falter because I see my dad sitting on the sofa watching TV. I never seen him like this well not drinking all the time. He seems relax and normal again.

"Dad?" He looks up at me with recognition in his eyes. Something that he hasn't done in awhile. Usually he stares through me.

"Emelia, I-I care about you, you know that, right? I just been going through a rough time lately, and sometimes I take out my frustration on you. You understand, right?"

I want to tell him that I don't understand, and "going through a rough time" isn't an excuse to beat me, but I don't. I tell him "Dad, I just want you to get better" because there's hope in him. There's got to be hope in him.

"What time would you be home by?" He asks.

"I would be home around 3:30".

"I'll see you later then" he says.

"Yeah, I'll see you later, bye". When I leave out the door a smile appears on my face. Is he trying to change? Am I going to get my dad back?
...............................

When I arrive to school the whispers already begun. Some people even glare at me others try to avoid eye contact with me. I'm not surprise with their reactions when they see a mere image of me. Well I can't really blame them either I never let anyone in, and my outrages like last time when I knocked down my desk in Mr. Thomas's class, doesn't make me look that approachable. I let out a huge sigh, and walk to Mr. Thomas's class. I'm the only student that goes to class 5 minutes early than the bell.

"Hello Emelia" says Mr. Thomas without raising his head to me.

"Hi, Mr. Thomas" I say. He finally looks at me, and eyes me to make sure I have no new injuries. Since the first time my father hit me Mr. Thomas was always looking to make sure new bruises didn't appear on my body.
Mr. Thomas even called my dad saying he was worried that I was being harm by someone, that night my dad blamed me for it just as he blames me for Mom's disappearance. He still continued to beat me, but he learned quickly to hit places that wouldn't be visible.

"You looking better" he says.

"Yeah, I feel better" it isn't a total lie. My dad's mood this morning put me in a better mood, but there's also an uneasy feeling setting in my stomach.

"I'm glad to hear it" he says. I nod in response.

Students swarm in the classroom with their loud laughters. I'm glad that my seat is in the back it keeps students from staring. Three girls who were seated on their desk were talking loud about the game today. Sarah, the girl who sits next to me walks toward her desk with her bow down. Her hair makes a curtain to hide her face from the rest of students. Sometimes I'll try to give her a smile, but the only response I'll get is her eyes will quickly dart away from mine like if my gaze was burning her. Other times she'll try to give me a small smile, but I usually tried to hide my face from hers when I was beaten to a pulp the day before. Somehow we have an understanding. That is the closet thing we have to a conversation. Mr. Thomas begins his lecture on the book The Color Purple. The only book that I could relate too. English was the only class that I enjoyed. I think part of my interest in English class is because of Mr. Thomas. He's the only teacher that really cares, that's why I feel guilty sometimes when I give him a hard time. I get a strange sensation that someone is starting at me. I turned my head towards Sarah and caught her staring at me. Her cheeks starts to go red and she quickly looks away. Letting her hair make a wall between me and her. I don't know how to feel about Sarah staring at me, but I hope she isn't trying to pry because she's not going to find anything.