Sunny and Alex

Next Morning

The sun is shining through my torn yellow curtains. I shield my face with my arm and squint towards the window. I look down at my legs. Cuts and bruises are covering what used to be my perfectly golden tan legs. My eyes travel up my body looking at each scar, bruise, cigarette burns, and the fresh knife wounds. My tank-top is torn and is stained with my blood. I pull up my shirt, wincing in pain. A chunk of flesh is gone, oozing blood and puss. I can't look away, but I know what is about to come from it. I lean over viciously and throw-up what was left of yesterday's food. This makes my side hurt even more than it did before. I have to think of a way to cover this up, before school. Shit school. Oh, fuck how am I going to hide all this? Sure I have tons of sweatshirts and jeans, but my face, ankles, and hands torn, scratched, and bruised. This is the worst yet, but I shouldn't be too quick to judge.

My father's footsteps trudge up the steps getting closer and closer. I stand up so quick I almost faint. The door flies open and my dad is towering over me in jeans and a very dirty white and black t-shirt.                                                                                                                                                                     "Time for school get dressed and ready," he said with a slight edge that I couldn't figure out, "And for fuck's sake clean up this house, I almost tripped up the stairs with all your clothes laying there!" He slams the door behind him swearing like mad. I don't even try to breathe because I know he is still out there waiting for me to say something so he can come in and beat the crap out of me. I get up and head to the bathroom. I open the door waiting for my dead mother to flop out on top of me. Nothing happens. I take my time brushing my teeth going back and forth again and again. I fill the sink full of grimy brown water. Dipping a washcloth rubbing it gently against my face, arms, legs, back, and stomach. I can't even look in the mirror without puking my guts out. I'll just to the nurse this morning with a phony story like always. My father banned me from going to the doctor so the school nurse is as close as I get. I go back to my room, fixing my hair and putting on my worn out tennis shoes. I walk down the stairs avoiding the blood marks. Damn, I'm going to have to scrub these stairs. I get out the door before my dad can say anything else.

I walk into schools acting like I wasn't raped or beaten the night before. Just my usual self, like always. I've gotten good at my fake smile, look, and well attitude. I walk straight through the cafeteria, pretending not to hear people whisper about my scars or bruises. No one has ever asked how I was doing so I never bothered to tell. I walk into the office strolling my way down the hall to the nurse's office. I quickly glance at Mr. Krag's office; the vice principle that is obsessed with how I feel. I walk past seeing that the door is open and slip into the nurse's office. "Here you are again Miss Sunny what can I do you for this time?" she said.                                               "Oh nothing I just got this nasty cut from the fence outside my house and I was wondering if you could look at it?" I said almost whispering.                                                                                                         "Oh sure honey come sit down," I walk over and lift up my sweatshirt and tank-top, "Well gosh that is one big cut girl...I think you might need more medical attention than me. What did you say you did again to get this cut?" She looked at me with a suspicious glance.                  "I..um...cut myself by accident...no big deal just need some gauze and surgical tape." She stares and me and walks out just holding up a finger for me to wait. I drop my shirt thinking that she is going to do something stupid. And that bitch did.                                                                                        "Hello, look it is my favorite senior," In comes walking the vice principal with a big grin and a clipboard at his side, "I hear that you have a nasty cut and well I need more information because the nurse here thinks it is worse than usual." he grins as he walks over looking at me with his elevator eyes. I don't say anything to that I just stare at him and hold my breath he doesn't ask how I feel. He comes closer looking at me like just let me have a peek and we can clear this up later. I don't move. I know he is going to try to make me lift up my shirt, but it isn't happening not like this. The bell rings. Hallelujah. I quickly get up and try to slip past both of them heading for the nearest door as fast as possible. He quickly reaches his arm out, damn he is just as fast as my father. I get hit in my side. I double over in pain, I start to throw-up. I can't stop. Next thing I know I'm on the ground swimming in my still warm vomit. I can see the nurse run the phone and dial a number I couldn't make out. My eyes go in and out. Mr. Krag is trying to keep me awake telling me over and over again to keep calm and stay awake. The school cops come in and set the school on emergency lockdown. One sees me and almost runs over helping Mr.Krag to keep me awake. My side hurts so much I can't help, but scream. Blood pours out running through my t-shirt and into my cupped hand. Mr. Krag puts his hand on top of mine just getting fresh blood on his new white shirt with little anchors on them.

 Such a big fuss for a little girl like me. I try to get up because the position and state that I'm in it reminds me of all the other time's cops had come to my house. My mother flashes in my vision, making me so much better. She bends over me and rubs my cheek. She tells me she loves me and she doesn't want me to end up like her.                                                                                                          "I love you too mom...ple...please don't leave me...don't walk away...don't leave ple...plea...please," I mumble those words again and again. They think I'm talking to them, but they sure don't look like my mother. They shush me telling me to keep calm. Like I'm already calm can't you tell. I pass out for the second time in less than twenty-four hours. Fuck.