Only Time Will Tell (Our2ndlife/O2L)

Chapter 1~Beginnings

Beginning

Haley's P.O.V

Hi, my name is Haley Pottorff and I already know what you're thinking,

"Pottorff? As in Sam Pottorff?"

Well yeah, he's actually my twin brother and you will never guess how many times I have been asked that question.

I have light brown, wavy hair that reaches to a little bit above my waist. I also have brown eyes. Yes, I said it I have brown eyes. Who even wants brown eyes or should I say poo colored eyes. People say I'm average in height but really I am short. It runs in the family.

Sam and I are both seventeen, but he's older than me by two minutes. Those two minutes mean the world to him. He acts as if it's two years separating our age apart instead of a couple of seconds. I'm guessing you can tell that he is a little overprotective of me. Even though he is, Sam is the best brother a girl could ask for. He's been through everything with me. We didn't have the best childhood, to say the least.

Our parents argued all the time every day. I don't think I can even remember one time when they weren't fighting. When my parents finally got divorced Sam and I lived with my mom. Her name was Cathy. She wasn't the best role model. She would go out almost every single night and come home completely drunk. It forced Sam to take on the parent role. He looked after me and took care of me. For that, I can't thank him enough.

Then one night, I remember she came home and I could tell she really overdid it. She quickly cornered me in our kitchen and started yelling. She began to hit me and scream some choice words at me. She had never hit me before. Sam immediately rushed to my side and stood in front of me taking all the blows. He begged for her to stop, but she wouldn't. At this point, we were all in tears and were scared of what would happen next. She was losing control. She picked up a knife that was on the counter and did the last thing we expected her to do; stab herself.

I still have nightmares about that day. Seeing the blood rush out of her as she collapsed to the floor... It's too much for children that young to see. It still gives me the shivers.

After that, Sam and I went to live with our dad. He did not like us one bit and the fact that we were forced back into his life again, made him even angrier. Living in his house was a million times worse than living with our drunk mom. He abused us, badly. Sam got the worst of it because he always tried to stand up to him. He always tried to protect me. When we were 14 (turning 15) he was gone. We were constantly scared of what would happen if he returned but he never did. To be honest, I'm glad he's gone. It's better with just me and Sam but I still miss my mom. No matter what she did, I will always miss her.

While all of this was going on, I got bullied at school. I later transferred to homeschooling.

I know what you're thinking again,

"How did I stay strong?"

Well, I tried but I couldn't take it. I started cutting myself but not on my wrists, people could see it there, so I cut on my waist and thighs. I'm not proud of it, but sometimes it all feels like too much. I couldn't handle the pain. I needed a release.

Sam knows I've been cutting and let's just say he's not a big fan of it. I'm guessing this is part of the reason why he is so overprotective.

I barely leave the house, and my only friend is Kian. Well, he is my friend and Sam's. Me, Sam and Kian are really close. We knew him since we were really young.

Kian doesn't know I've been cutting, and I made sure to tell Sam to keep it that way. I don't want him to know I cut. It's embarrassing. Plus, I don't want any sympathy.