The Fighters

Chapter 7

SONG - "You're The One That I Want" by The Lennings

Dylan POV

Today was going to be a new day.

Today was going to be a good day.

Today was going to be THE day.

Today I am the new me. I am the better me.

I got out of bed with a newfound motivation. I had skipped Thursday getting prepared for today, both mentally and physically. I spent the day at the mall getting much needed waxing done, going shopping for a new wardrobe, and going to the hairdresser for a new look.

I ended up getting my long brown hair cut to just below my shoulders, with a little bit of highlight at the tips to liven it up. I had been such a sad, dull brown for too long and just as Tara, my hairdresser, had told me, a lot can be said about a person's life from their hair. Whatever the hell that meant.

I got up earlier than usual this morning, so that I had enough time to do my hair and makeup like my hairdresser had shown me. The bruises on my stomach where now green and yellow, so they were on their way to healing. I just hoped I could avoid my mother and sister's beatings over the next few weeks.

They didn't beat me everyday, it was only sometimes when they were in a piss poor mood or had been drinking. Those days were the worst.

Getting out of the shower, I pulled out a new sundress I bought, which was a white wrap around dress with a pastel floral print. It was short sleeved, tied around into a bow at the back and it rested just above my knees. I matched it with a pair of cork wedges, which had the same fabric as the dress. Feeling brand new in the dress, I moved on to do my hair and makeup.

I kept it minimal with a natural look, and I curled my now short hair off my face. Feeling happy with my new look, I did a final spin in the mirror before packing my backpack and sneaking down the stairs. I saw Jamie's car waiting out the front and made a beeline for the door.

"Well, well, well, look who's all dressed up today," I froze and turned around to see my mother staring me down. The old me would've cowered away and waited until she had finished hitting me. She would've kept her mouth shut until her punishment was over.

But not today.

Today was the first day of me... being me. Not for anyone else, not to live up to society's standards, but to prove to myself that I can be who I want and not let people get in the way of that.

"Pick on someone your own size mother," I spat, then turned on my heel and walked right out the door.

Just like that.

If I had known it would be that easy to walk out on my mother or sister, I would have done it ages ago. I guess all it took was a little bit of a push.

Blaise.

My thoughts kept on drifting back to Blaise. After all, he was the first person who found out about... well the abuse. And I'm not going to lie when I say I did this all for me. Just looking at Blaise made me jealous of how carefree and easy his life was. I wanted to be able to walk down the halls without a care in world, without caring what people think. I wanted to be able to just be me, and not let people get in my way.

"Earth to Dylan," Jamie waved her hand in front of my face. I blinked and turned to look at my friend.

"You been staring at nothing for like 5 minutes and I was starting to get worried. You know all of those things they say about people who day dream and..."