Battered and Bruised | Emblem3

Chapter 1: Unexpected

Shayley POV

The belt whipped across my back repeatedly. I have lost count of what number he was on. I was starting to see black spots everywhere. Although this was almost an everyday occurrence, it still never got easier. I felt his presence leave, I’m assuming to go put the belt up but I don’t want to look up to find out.

“You’re the biggest piece of shit. You’re so damn stupid, Shayley!” I felt a foot kick into my ribs. I felt the agonizing pain spread all through my abdomen. He picked me up and dragged me to the front door. I knew what was coming.

“Get the hell out of my house, you worthless bitch.” He kicked me out of the door and slammed it shut. I sat on the front lawn for as long as I thought possible before he would come out and continue the torture for not leaving.

The “he” I’m referring to is my so called boyfriend, Max. He gets mad rather easy. I get beat almost every day of my life now. We met when I was 19 when I first moved to California from Maryland. I left my family behind, so I barely have anyone.

Max wasn’t always the lunatic that he is now. He used to be kind and sweet. Now, he beats me if I don’t wash his laundry right or I don’t have his favorite meal cooked when he comes home from work or something along those lines. Today, my punishment was because the dishes weren’t washed from lunch. Even though they weren’t washed because I had been cleaning the rest of the house all day, it didn’t matter to him.

I know some may ask why I don’t just leave him. Well, the truth is that I can’t leave him. I’ve tried plenty of times. The first time I tried to leave, he said he never wanted to see my fucking face again. So I left. My mistake was that I did not know that he was “kidding.” After he found me, I got punished for actually leaving him for 48 hours. When he tells me to leave, I normally leave and come back a couple of hours later.

I slowly walked to my car and got in. I was already starting to get sore around my ribs. Luckily, I don’t bruise easily or else I would be purple. I looked at the clock on my dashboard to reveal that it was almost ten o’clock right now. One of my good friends from work, my only friend I’m allowed to have, is having a party at her house tonight. I remembered her talking about it the day before at the office. It may not be the best idea I’ve ever had, but right now I need alcohol. I need to let go for one night at least. I put my key in the ignition and started up my Honda Civic and pulled out of the driveway to escape my life for a night.

I turned on to Macy’s road and could already hear the music. My inner self did a little happy dance because I was being a bit rebellious tonight. I never do things like this because Max would probably lock me up for a week if he found out. I laughed at myself thinking that I was kidding, but in all honesty I wasn’t kidding at all. I put my car in park on the side of the road and locked it.

When I walked in I was surprised. I haven’t been to a party in years. The last time was probably when I was 20, and I’m 23 now so this was invigorating. I knew that I wouldn’t know anyone here, but I was still going to have fun I told myself.

“Shayley! What’re you doing here? I’m so glad you came!” Macy shouted over the load music as she approached me with a red solo cup in her hand. A few faces turned to see who this so called Shayley girl was. I blushed a little bit because I had more eyes on me than I wanted. They soon all turned away and continued their goal of getting it in tonight.

“Hey Mace. I kind of got away, if you know what I mean.” Macy is the only person who knows about what Max does to me. She honestly doesn’t even know the height of how bad it really is. She just thinks that sometimes he may slap me or push me into something then tell me to leave for a while. No way is that anywhere near to the truth, but I would feel uncomfortable with her knowing everything. I don’t want to be a charity case to anyone.