The New Girl

My Story

"My family never had much but my dad did anything he could to keep me and Andy oblivious to the troubles we had. As I grew older I realised I wasn't wearing any of the designer clothes, we never went out to the movies like the other kids and I never had huge parties like they did. One night I heard my parents talking."

Flashback

"Look at yourself, you're cover in cuts and bruises." My mom said. "I told you that fighting was dangerous."

"You win some you lose some honey." My dad replied.

"You need to get into a new line of work, you've got to stick around for the kids. I can't handle two. Hayley is your child honey, she's a little you, I wouldn't know what to do with her."

End of flashback

"So my dad started selling drugs, you think that'd be safer but it wasn't, he ripped some guys off and they were pissed, like super pissed." I explain. "When I was eleven he died, car crash. It was overruled as accidental but then the guys who my dad had ripped off came round and stole all our stuff to make up for the money he owed them, said if we didn't let them take it my dad wouldn't be the only dead one. I am convinced they cut his breaks or something, my dad was a careful driver."

"Hayley I'm so sorry." Val sighs.

"So we lived in some estate, the roughest area. I already had a reputation there, my dad had raised me, I was his girl I have the same reputation I had here: don't fuck with me. My mom hated the life I was leading, she wanted a fresh start and so did my brother so we moved here." I explain. "My mom was right, she didn't know what to do with me. Tonight she was drunk like she always is, she threw a glass at me head."

"How can you say that so emotionlessly?" Val asks.

"It's been my life." I reply. "It's the harsh truth, I'm used to it."

Valery says nothing she just leans forward and hugs me tightly. "Do you girls want some hot coco?" Her mom asks, peeking in the doorway.

"Yes please." Val replies.

"More than anything." I laugh, wiping away my single tear.

"I'll be back soon."

"For the record," Val says. "Your dad did an amazing job of raising you. You have so much life in you, you speak up for the people and honestly I'm so glad you came into my life."

"Thanks." I smile.

* * * *

"I figured you could do with some friends." Julie says before pushing the door open further, revealing Jason, Reggie and Harris. "I hope you don't mind I called them."

"Not at all." I sigh.

For the rest of the night we roast marshmallow over a small fire outside. "You cold?" Reggie asks me, noticing me rubbing my hands together.

"A little." I reply.

"Here." He says, wrapping some of the blanket around me.

"Thanks." I smile.

Eventually we head back inside, everyone goes home and Val and I fall asleep.