Under His Streetlight

Ma Chérie

I awoke to my parents screaming. At me. Like usual.

"Aliyah, get your ass out of that room right now!" My mom's voice calls, making my ears ring. I fight tears and get up, scrambling to get ready, tugging on my striped pair of skinny jeans, a black tee shirt, pulling on my gray jacket, and lacing my black boots to my feet.

I stand and look at myself in my vanity, fixing my pink and purple hair, fixing my bangs. Makeup would have to wait until I got to my car. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself, grabbing my messenger bag and repeating the mantra that has kept me going through the hell I live.

I am fearless. I will not be afraid.

I push open my door and head downstairs, keeping my eyes down. If anything, I wanted to get to school without having to come up with an excuse for new bruises.

"Oh, look at that, Dan, the little bitch actually got up." My mom cackled. I bit my lip and kept my eyes down.

Next thing I knew, my dad's fist was tangled in my hair and I was pushed into the wall, him in my face and his breath searing my nostrils.

Now, you might be wondering: 'you're really pretty, Aliyah, why would your parents hurt you? You seem so sweet!' Well, let me explain. It started back when I was around twelve. My mom would get home late from work and always pick a fight with my dad. (Who's not actually my dad, just a "replacement") honestly, I don't know what made them turn on me. One minute I was their perfect little girl, and the next I was their punching bag.

But, who cares? I hopefully won't be dealing with them anymore. I'll get out of here somehow.

Back to the present: my dad had slapped me so hard he sent me crashing into the door. I swallowed back the tears in my eyes at the stinging in my cheek. I quickly turned and ran, grabbing my keys, unlocking my car and scrambling in. I didn't bother buckling up as I turned the car on and roared away from my house.

I eventually pulled over and hit the steering wheel in frustration. I eventually calmed down enough to fix my hair and do my makeup. The pain in my cheek had faded, and so had the handprint, thank god, or my best friend Abby would have killed my parents.

She's worried about me, to say the least. I always reassure her that I'll be okay.

Luckily, tonight her and I have plans to go see Andy Black tonight with our VIP passes her dad got us. Some other bands were playing, I think William Control and some band called... Palaye Royale? Something like that. I had never heard of them, but they must be good to be touring with Andy.

I sigh and start driving back to school, eventually pulling into my parking space and shutting my car off. School didn't start for another half an hour, so I rushed inside and sat at our usual table and resorting to waiting for Abby.

She came in five minutes later, scanning the room before settling on me and smiling brightly. She walked over and set all her stuff down, including her sketchbook. She and I are studying to be art majors.

"You excited for tonight?!" She squeals. I nod and smile.

"What's better than getting to meet the one and only Andy Biersack with my bestie?" I giggle as she opens her mouth to reply. "Rhetorical question, Abs."

She pouts and sets a coffee in front of me. "Drink up, you look exhausted." She demands.

Me, being the sassy bitch I am, look at her and raise an eyebrow. "And why should I? Maybe I don't want coffee." I tried to keep from smiling, but cracked up anyway.

She faked being hurt and eventually broke. When we finally calmed down enough, the memory of this morning resurfaced and I quieted down, taking a sip of my coffee.

"Lee? What's wrong? Did your parents do something this morning?" Abby questioned. I quickly shook my head.

"Nope, just nervous about the presentation today. I hear Mr. Randall isn't gonna go easy on us. I just hope he likes my work..." It wasn't a complete lie, at least, I was nervous. The assignment was to come up with our own species of fantasy creature, and I quickly looked over the sketch in front of me.

Abby scoffed. "You're like, his best student! If anything, I should be worried!"

I giggle. "Whatever. You were the one who taught me to draw when we were younger anyway, so shut it."

She pouted. "Aww, but you're no fun... "

"So I've been told. " I reply.

Her comeback was cut short by the bell ringing, and we grabbed our stuff and hurried to Mr. Randall's room.

Today was going to be a long day.

***
Okay, I know I've started a lot of stories with intentions to finish, and I haven't, but I have a good feeling about this one. I met Palaye back in March during the Andy Black Homecoming Tour (granted, it was just Remington, but it was awesome nonetheless) Then I saw them two days before my birthday (August 14th) and got to meet all of them. They were so sweet, and I am so happy that not only am I friends with Remington, Sebastian, and Emerson, but I get to talk to them every now and again too. They're super sweet and they always take time to chat if they can! I wanted to put my goregeous girlfriend Abby in this story as Aliyah's best friend, and it makes me feel just a little closer to her. (Cheesy, I know, but she lives in Michigan, and I live in Washington.) But, anyway, comment if you like this and if I should continue! I hope you guys enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoy writing it!

~Shay