The trip was never-ending. I felt like I would never reach my destination, but I kept going. I cried most of the way, thinking about how I loved but also hated my family. I still had so many questions but it seemed like I would never have them answered. I was still so angry, ten years of pain and heartache all because my mother slept with a different man, and that man wasn't even human.
Still following the GPS directions I tuned out the lady voice from the GPS. Remembering horrible memories from the last ten years of my miserable life.
(FLASHBACK)
I had spent the hole night studying for a huge test at school the next day. Getting less than three hours of sleep, I would have received more much but I was up till one helping both of my brothers with their science projects. Wait let me correct that, I was up till one doing their science projects as they had their eyes glued to the tv playing video games. I tried to get across that it was they're projects and not mine but each time my mother would look over at me with murder in her eyes. Silencing my efforts.
When I woke the next morning I saw that I had overslept again. Everyone should already be up and ready for breakfast. But there wasn't enough time for me to even make toast and get ready for school. I was going to be late which meant I wasn't going to be able to take my test. The teacher had a rule that if you were late on test days it was an automatic fail. Tears running down my face, I jumped out of bed, throwing some jeans and a long sleeve black v neck on, I ran out of my bedroom, slipping my black converse shoes on as I went through the door. I pulled my ratted hair up into a high ponytail as I walked into the kitchen.
My mother stood with her back to me in the kitchen. She was at the stove and she was actually cooking. Scrambled eggs? I thought I was dreaming.
"Go back to your room, your not leaving today," she spoke softly.
"I have to mom, I have a huge test today, it's worth 60% of my grade. I'm already struggling as it is and if I fail that class I will have to retake that class. Which will put me a credit behind and I won't be able to graduate." I said pleading with my mother.
My mother turned away from the stove to look at me, sympathy crossing her features. My eyes widened in shock as my mom looked at me with guilt. I thought just maybe she would understand and let me go to school. But just as I started to think she may change just this once, she took a step closer towards me and slapped me across the face. I stumbled backwards falling onto the tiled floor. She came forward bending down putting her face in mine.
"you may go but tonight don't come home, I don't want to see your ugly face," she whispered. Before I could respond she pulled me off the ground by my hair and started pushing me out the back door. Throwing my backpack out after me.
I still managed to be late to class. My heart beating wildly as I tapped on my classroom door. No answer but i kept trying. My teacher had to understand he had to, just please open the door, begged silently in my head.
Tapping again the teacher finally opened the door, stepping out into the hallway.
"Shay you know the rules on test days." Mr. Shannon said without looking at me.
"i know sir, please give me the chance i can't fail this class. If I fail this one class i won't be able to graduate next year. Please." i pleaded.
Mr. Shannon decided to then look at me, his eyes dropping from anger to sadness. He didn't say anything else just walked back into his classroom shutting the door behind him.
I stood there staring at a closed door, holding onto the last of my strength. Tears threatening to fall, my body starting violently shaking as i started backing up. My back hitting a locker, i slid down, putting my face in my hands, as the tears started to fall.
"Shay, go to the library and take your test, i have already talked to the librarian and she will be watching you, so no cheating. Go to the bathroom first though, clean yourself up." Mr. Shannon said.
I took my face out of my hands and looked up to see Mr. Shannon holding the test out to me.
"Thank you so much sir!" i said standing up and taking the test from him.
I ran to the library using the restroom first before starting my test. As i walking into the restroom i stopped at the sink, turning the water on the wash my face. Looking at my reflection i noticed what looked like milk and flour all over one side my face, almost in the shape of a hand. My mother's hand. My eyes were bloodshot and one looked as though it was bruised, probably from the hit. I washed the food off my face, seeing an already bruised handprint. There was no hiding it, i didn't have any makeup on me either to cover the soon to be a dark bruise. Looking up from my face i fixed my hair, it was probably messy in the first place but got worse after my mother used it to pull me up off the ground.
I walked out of the bathroom back out into the hallway. Running back to the library, i had fifteen minutes to finish this test. Taking a deep breath, i walked into the library ready to get this test started.
