Beautifully Broken

Chapter One

I woke up feeling someone's hand on my inner thigh. I jolted awake feeling the fear bubbling up inside me. My eyes shot open as I take in the man who I've grown to hate over the past few years. I was too scared to say anything to him, let alone try and push him off of me. Instead, I lay frozen, too shaken up to even come up with something to say to him.

I want him to stop. God, I wish he would just stop. Something in me tells me to just run. Run away and never come back. I wish I had the strength to just run. But I don't have that strength. I don't have the strength to tell him to stop or push him off of me. I'm just too scared of the aftermath of that doing. I'm scared he'll do something worse, as if touching his daughter in a way a father never should, isn't bad enough.

After he is done "having his way" with me, he looks at me as if he's done nothing wrong - as if his daughter isn't slowly breaking down in front of him.

"Don't tell anyone," he whispers, just like every other night. I can hear the hostility in his voice, spiking an even worse fear in me. Not being able to speak, I nod my head, not wanting to make him angry. He musters up a smile and walks out of my room, allowing me to finally break down crying.

I jolted awake, shooting up into a sitting position, breathing heavily. I could feel my heart beating out of my chest, as a mixture of tears and sweat rolled down my cheeks. I glanced at the clock on my nightstand and see that it's 3:17, about 3 hours before I have to get up for school. I knew there was no way I was getting anymore sleep, so I decided to get up.

Trying not to wake anyone up in the house, I quietly changed as quick as I could and walked out of the house. Not knowing what else to do, I began to run. I ran as fast and as far as I could. I ran until I couldn't feel my legs and until my mind was blank.

After walking for what felt like hours, I finally made it home. Walking into my room, I collapsed onto my bed, too exhausted to move anymore. I laid in bed, feeling the exhaustion taking over. Instead of fighting it, I let the darkness consume me.

~

The last thing I wanted to do was go to school, especially since I was late, but I knew I had to. Showing up late to school on the first day of my senior year is not how I intended for this day to go. I sighed in frustration as I walked up to the front doors of my school, already dreading today.

"Late already, Sam?"

I nervously tucked a strand of hair behind my ear as I mumbled a quick response to Mrs. Cortez, the lady who worked behind the desk in the office. She handed me a late pass and smiled kindly at me. I mustered up the best smile I could and mumbled a "thank you," taking the pass and slowly walking out of the office.

I already knew my schedule and my way around the school, so I walked to my first period. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door. After waiting a couple seconds, the door was opened by an older man I had never seen before. The aggravated look he gave me sent a nervous chill down my spine and prompted me to look anywhere but his eyes.

After I handed him my pass, he finally let me inside the classroom, not saying a word to me. I quickly scanned the room, searching for a seat. There were only two available: one in the very front of the classroom, right next to the teacher's desk or one in the very back. I immediately chose the latter.

Sitting in the seat, I held my head in my hands, realizing that this day was going to drag on. I spent the rest of my first period in a daze, ignoring everything around me. Finally, after what felt like hours of daydreaming, the bell rang. I quickly gathered my things and walked out of the classroom. The rest of my classes that day went about the same as first period. I spent each one of them distracted and in a daze.

Hearing that last bell was the biggest relief I felt all day. I quickly made my way out of the class and sped walked to the front doors of the school building. Before I can make it out, I run into someone, causing both of our things to fall all over the floor.

"I-I'm so sorry," I stammer as I bend down and immediately begin picking up the books belonging to the person who I have yet to get a good look at.

"It's fine, don't sweat it," he chuckles. I glanced up at him to see his curly brown hair bouncing along with his shoulders. He helps me gather our things and stands up with me.

"I'm Julian, and you're Samantha right? You're in my first period, I think," he smiles as he speaks to me in a kind voice.

"I actually go by Sam, but it's nice to meet you, Julian," I smile as I look up at him seeing as he is at least half a foot taller than me. He smiles back and checks his watch, groaning silently.

"I have to get to football practice, but it was really great meeting you, Sam. Maybe you can join me and my friends tomorrow for lunch?" He gives me a hopeful smile.

"Of course, I would love that," I respond, trying to hide my nervousness. He gives me a wide, goofy smile while he gives me a side-hug and dashes down the hallway.

I take a deep breath, trying to slow my heart rate. Although he seems really nice, I can't help but feel nervous about what is to come. I'm glad I at least made a friend on my first day in this new school.