Broken Trust

It's only the beginning...

I flipped the page and continued reading, my headphones playing a soft, calming song. I looked up as watched as the birds fluttered down and landed on the branches of the tree I was sitting in. I liked being up here, it was relaxing and beautiful. I saw my family on the ground, all day round laughing and joking. I didn't know how they could all talk like that, so loud and outgoing, starting different conversations about random little things just to pass the time.

I smiled slightly and looked back at my book, forgetting the real world and only existing in my imagination.

I heard an excited squeak and glanced down, watching my sister pull out the picnic food. Mum looked up and waved at me, calling me down. I put the book back in my bag and wrapped my headphones into a ball and held them in my hand along with my phone, which I also shoved into the bag. I swung my legs over the side of the branch and jumped.

For a moment it felt like I was flying, then my feet hit the ground and I landed like a cat. I strolled over to the picnic blanket and sat down, stealing a bread roll from the tub.

Mum rolled her eyes and passed me the  butter and a knife. I grabbed a plate and filled it with food, then I tucked in.

My plate was empty when my phone rang, I felt a slight vibration from my bag then Hallelujah by Panic! At The Disco began playing, notifying me I had a phone call. I reached in and fumbled around for my phone, apologising to my parents; they don't like me answering phone calls during meals.

The phone call was from my friend Lily, who wanted to know if I was still ok for the party next week.

It wasn't a big party, but it was important, being her sweet 16th. I had my sweet 16th a few months ago.
'Who's coming, apart from Milly, Sarah, me, Lucy, Rowan and Maisie?' I asked, strolling back to the tree and climbing onto one of the branches.
'A few other people, like Luke, Mikey, Gerard and William.'

My heart sank to my chest, I detested Mikey, he always made fun of me for having my head in a book and for spending time alone instead of with all my friends. He was the complete opposite.

I sighed, but I didn't want to be a spoiler so I lied and exclaimed,
'Great, I can't wait!'
The truth was, I really didn't like parties, and the added fact Mikey will be there just made it 10 times worse.

Lily had a thing for Mikey, always following him around and giggling at whatever he said, even if it wasn't funny. It seemed Mikey didn't seem to return the feeling though, as I often heard him say she was annoying and whiny.

I put my phone in my back pocket and wandered over to my family. I flopped down and crossed my legs, breathing in the fresh air that swirled gently around where I sat. The air was warm, with the sun beating down and a soft wind ruffling my hair.

A while later, I was curled up on my bed, a book in my hand and distracting myself from the noise downstairs. I was shaking badly, and I felt my palms start to sweat. My breathing became ragged and everything started spinning. I pressed my back against my pillow, and forced myself to count my breaths, trying to steady myself. Gradually, my room stopped spinning and my breathing turned to normal. I wiped my eyes dry and closed them, counting to ten.

I held my breath, trying to listen to the conversation downstairs. I only heard several clear words,

'Stop!' I heard, my mum was yelling at my father. I couldn't hear anything else so I slowly swung my legs over my bed and slipped my feet into white slippers. I sat up and wiped my eyes on my jumper, smiling and forcing myself to look normal. I crept downstairs and leaned against the door, taking small breaths to make sure I was silent.

'She's not like...most girls, she's, she's,' my father was saying, I had a feeling this was another argument about me.

'She's what, Sam?' My mother exclaimed, and I pictured her waving her arms about. 'What?! She's my daughter, and who cares if she's different to other 16 year olds? Who wants to be normal anymore?'

'Most teenagers talk to people, they don't read, they sit on their phones all day long, and they fangirl over hot men on the TV. Most teenagers don't spend hours every night perfecting their art homework, and then another hour on everything else they have to do for school.'

I heard my mum sigh, and when she spoke her voice was quiet. This was a bad sign.

'At least Emerald is working hard, unlike her sister.' She replied, following with a deep breath. I open the door a tiny bit, and peaked inside the living room. Mum was sat down, arms folded and staring at the carpet. Dad was standing up, shouting.

'Her sister is normal, her sister likes meeting new people, her sister likes to talk to people!' He yelled, his hands curling into a fist.

I saw him put his weight on his front foot, as he swung a punch at mum. I gasped and ran forward, my arms covering my face. A fist collided with my cheek and everything went white, then faded to black.

My father was lying on his bed, eyes closed and breathing shallow breaths. I looked up, and saw his eyes flicker open, he whispered something. I crept closer, and he repeated it.
'Take care of her, take care of your mother.'
He closed his eyes and his breathing stopped.

A man burst through the door, my new father, Sam. He was pulling a girl with him, my new sister, Beth. He ran up to mum and dragged her out of the room. I realised suddenly that Sam would never replace my father. I shall never call him my father again.

I put a hand to my left cheek, and winced. My eyes flickered open and I saw mum looking over me. I smiled, and winced again; the movement causing my face agony. I sat up slowly, looking around. I couldn't see Sam or Beth anywhere.
'Where are they?' I croaked.
Mum smiled sadly, wiping her eyes.
'I kicked Sam out, but Beth has gone to fetch a flannel from downstairs.'
'What?! Why?'
'He punched you, Emerald, and I told him that as soon as he laid a finger on you or Beth, I would leave him.'

Memories came flooding back, of me jumping in to protect mum, of mum and Beth screaming as I hit the floor. I realised I was shaking. Mum wrapped her arm around me, and gave me a kiss on my forehead.

Beth opened the door, her mascara dripping down her face. She was only 12, she didn't deserve to have such a messed up father. Mum took her hand and gave her a hug, passing the flannel to me.

I pressed the cold material to my cheek, and sighed as the cold hit my bruised face. Beth looked anxiously, but I needed to ask her something.

'Why did you stay with us? Why didn't you go with your dad, he loved you.'
Beth shook her head and a tear dropped onto the bedsheets.

'He never loved me, or even cared about me. I was just a pain, he was glad to leave me here with you two, even though you're not blood related.'

Mum gave us a squeeze, 'Hey,' she whispered, 'we're your new family!'

I smiled and lay down on my pillow, closing my eyes.