Is it love?

Chapter 2

Charlotte's POV
So the first day of school was just like any other day. We just got told class rules. As the bell rang for last period I waited for everyone to leave.
A crowded hallway always scares me. You don't wanna get in the way of eager teens waiting to leave school.
I walk out the school when the halls became empty. I started walking in the sidewalk home. I have to be home at a designated time. School ends at 3:00 and I have to be home by 4:00. I usually get home at three thirty so I'm always early home.
As I'm walking I hear foot steps. I look back and I see the boy I sat next to in art. I have to admit he's good looking. His brown hair almost black and brown eyes and his pale skin compliment him. He's also got a good build too. He eventually catches me looking at him and I just turn my head.
"Hey."
He says as he starts to walk next to me.
"Hi"
"Your the girl from art right?"
"Yeah."
"Well what's your name?"
"Charlotte green. What's your name?"
"My name is Peter. Nice to meet you."
"Nice To meet you too."
And we continue to walk in silence. His voice is deep but not too deep if you catch my drift.
"So where are you going?" I ask
"Home. You?"
"Same"
"Cool. Maybe we can hang out sometime."
I panicked a little at that. I don't want anyone else to feel the wrath of my dad.
"Maybe"
"So where do you live?"
" I live on lily lane on the left side. In the cream colored house. You?"
"I also live in lily lane. And wait does your door have a flower wreath?"
"Yes"
"Oh my god Charlotte your my neighbor." He smiled at that.
How come I never noticed him as my neighbor? I mean I don't go outside that much but wouldn't have I noticed him walking to school and back?
"How come I have never seen you then?" I asked
"Oh cause I usually don't go home right away. I usually go to work. And my mom drives me to school in the mornings."
Oh. Makes sense. But wow like I'm so oblivious. I mean how could I not notice a cute guy living next door?
Maybe it's not my fault though. I'm to focused on other things to really notice anything.
We eventually arrive at our houses. We said our goodbyes and went towards our houses. I approached my door. I took a minute to breath a little before getting my keys and unlocking the door.
I walk inside and look at the clock 3:45
A little later then expected but the important part is that I'm on time. I go drop my stuff off in my room and come back to the kitchen to pick something to cook for dinner.
I look through the cupboards.
Tacos, pasta, steak and potatoes.
Well I'm not cooking pasta cause I got punished for cooking it. So I'm thinking steak and potatoes. I don't really like steak and potatoes but my dad does so I know I won't get punished for it.
I get to work. I peeled potatoes and chopped them, I got the steak out to thaw. 
The thing is that I have to get dinner done by 5:00
That's when dad gets home and if he doesn't have a meal in front of him by the time he walks to the table, I'm screwed. My mom is always home but she's just drunk all the time and stays in the bedroom. I bring her food usually when I'm done cooking. She's not a violent drunk but the fact that she's drunk all the time just isn't good. Plus she can't even be a mom because she's so drunk she can't function.
Once the steak is thawed I go outside and put it on the grill. And I see Peter playing fetch with a German Shepard.
"Hey!" He yells my way.
I freak out a little. He walks over to my grill.
"So what you doing?"
I try to remain calm.
"I'm making dinner. Peter I'm sorry I can't chat right now. I have to get this done before my dad gets home."
I say slowly to try and remain calm.
"Alright. I'll see you at school then yeah?"
"Yeah." I smile.
"Can I ask something first?"
"Sure."
"Why are you cooking dinner? I mean I don't see teenagers cooking often."
"I just like to cook." I lied
He can't know. This is the worst part of my life. Is that I can't ever be truthful because of the fear of my dad finding out and causing harm to people because of something I did.
"It's also a chore too." I added so it wasn't a complete lie.
"Yeah chores suck." He makes a pout face.
I laugh a little.
And then i hear the car screech from my dads car. And I instantly freeze.
"Hey you ok Charlotte?"
"No. Please hurry home before my dad sees you." I say with my voice shaking a little. I think he noticed.
"Alright....see ya tomorrow." An he runs to his property. I get the steak of the grill. The mashed potatoes are already done so I quickly get a plate put a dab of potatoes and a steak with a fork and napkin. I rush to the table as my dad walks through the door.
It's a routine. I have to stand there while he walks and he has to take a bite before I can leave. So he walks
"Sit down with me Charlotte."
I was mildly confused and fear kinda froze me in my spot.
"Charlotte...sit!"
I go to a chair at the table and sit. Waiting for him to speak.
"Who was that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't act like a dumb bitch!"
"I don't know what your talking about"
I just look at him.
"Who was the boy Charlotte."
I panicked. I can't just tell him who Peter was cause it would threaten peters safety.
"I don't know. He came saying he wanted to sell something for a fundraiser and I said we where not interested." I lied
My dad looked at me with piercing eyes.
"Fine. Get the fuck out of my sight." And I did just that. I grabbed a plate for mom and loaded it with dinner and took it upstairs. I knocked on the door.
"Hey mom it's me. I'm coming in."
I open the door and it's dark. But I here my mom tiny snores. I walk to her bedside table and put the dinner there. 
I walk around the room picking up glass bottles that are now empty. And I walk out quietly. I then go quietly down the stairs. I watch for any sign of my dad. He's in the kitchen washing his plate off. Then he walks slowly to the liquor cabinet. My dad isn't a alcoholic but there will be the the few times he has a shot or two.
When he's done he goes into the living room. That's when I sprint to the back door, I run outside throw the bottles away and run back in.
Then I walk upstairs. I go to my bathroom and get a washcloth to wash my face. As I wash my face the makeup comes off an u can again see the bruises and cuts. And I cry. I collapse on the bathroom floor and sob.
Why can't I be like everyone else? Why do I have to live this life? What happened to the times mom and dad where nice loving parents?
My parents started the abuse when I was eleven. And the schools I have been too have seen the bruises an call my dad to ask him about it. Well that would end up bad because my dad would beat me cause he thought I was telling people.
As I cry on my bathroom floor my thoughts drift everywhere. I eventually get enough energy to walk to my bed and cry. I cry until the world drifts away and turns into my dream land.