That Mute

-3-

Katye's POV

I trudged towards my front door, opening it slowly. Then I was pulled in by my hair. I winced.
"BITCH DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID TODAY?" my stepdad yelled in mu face. I closed my eyes and shook my head no.
"YOU SPENT FUCKING $20.35 ON LUNCH!" he said and pinned me against the wall by my neck. I gasped, unable to breathe. I didn't buy lunch! What? But my thought process was cut off when he slammed my head against the floor.
"THATS 20 DOLLARS OF MY DAMN MONEY! 20 DOLLARS FOR MY BEER! BITCH, YOUR FATASS EATS ENOUGH ALREADY."
I realize that I haven't eaten today and-right on cue- my stomach growls. I closed my eyes and waited for the blows. I didn't wait long. He punched me once in the face and 7 times in the gut. On the seventh, I really couldn't breathe. I panicked and started seeing black spots. But I didn't black out. Instead, I crawled over to the bathroom and dry heaved into the toilet. After five minutes of dry heaving, I finally stood up. When I looked in the mirror I almost passed out. I had a black eye and red splotches everywhere. When I lifted my shirt, I fell down. My entire stomach and ribs are covered in black, blue, and purple blotches. I touched my belly and winced. Even the slightest touch made it hurt like a bitch. And right then and there, I fell asleep on the floor.
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The Next Morning
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I woke up with a start, crawling up from the cold floor. Looking at the clock, I groaned. I have to get ready for school. I went to my cabinets and pulled out my only other outfit. Jeans and... Oh god... A crop top. Shit, everyone will see my stomach! But what other choice did I have? My other shirt was covered in mashed potatoes, dirt, and blood. I couldn't wear that. Sighing, I slipped the shirt over my head and tugged it downward in an attempt to cover my bruises. It failed, and the shirt rode up to above my belly button. I'm so screwed.
But wait, don't I have a little bit of concealer left? I checked the back of my cabinets and sure enough, there was a small container with cream. Yes! I looked down and applied it to my stomach, wincing when I touched any of the many bruises. I pulled my jeans up and looked at myself in the mirror. I actually looked okay today, despite my several bruises. I swept my hair to the side and tied it up. My shirt kept riding up and it was annoying me. It was way too small and tight. I wish I had a hoodie to cover my face too. Quickly, in hopes of avoiding my stepdad for the morning, I grabbed my backpack and bolted out the front door. Yes, I made it out. One less beating today!
When I get to school, I notice that I'm five minutes earlier than usual. Using that to my advantage, I walk over to my first period class and sit down lat the desk closest to the window, next to a guy with some really nice headphones. I take out my journal and start to draw. I love drawing; I've been doing it since the beatings started. It helps me block out the rest of the world. I didn't know what to draw though, so I let the pencil move on its own. I guess I was really distracted, because I hadn't noticed class starting. Until the teacher called my name.
"Miss Katye Burns, you will introduce yourself to the class after Zayne Adams."
Oh God, this was not good. Not good at all. I don't like to speak! How was I going to do this? I don't even know what to say! How- but Zayne's voice cut me off.
"Hey guys and babes, as you probably know, the names Zayne. I'm dating Cassy Star and I'm captain of the football team. I love-" he winks at a blonde girl in the back, "messing around, and my friends and family."
"Good job Mr. Zayne," the teacher said. "Ms. Katye, you are up."
I stood up nervously, unsure of what to do. So I stood still and waved to everyone. I waited a few seconds.
"Ms. Burns, if you do not introduce yourself, this will go down as an F in the assessment category."
I just stood there and looked at my hands. Then I heard a voice from the back.
"Hey teacher, Katye doesn't speak. She's a MUTE!" Zayne yelled and burst out laughing. "A stupid mute with a fat ass stomach."
I looked down at my stomach. I am fat, and stupid. The teacher glanced at me with pity.
"I'm sorry Katye, I didn't realize. You can sit down now."
I took my seat and kept drawing, humiliated.

Zayne's POV
(Beginning of first period)

When I walked into the classroom on the second day of school, I was bored. I also noticed Katye sitting next to the window. My eyes bulged. Damn, her crop top was tight! Her boobs practically fall out the top! That's not like her to wear that, but I wasn't complaining. I also noticed that there wasn't a single bruise on her stomach, where I punched her yesterday. I snickered. I guess I'll just punch harder today. The teacher asked me to introduce myself to the class, so I did and sat down, no biggie. But then I remember that Katye is next. She stands up, and I get a nice eyeful of her ass. She just stands there and waves.
"Ms. Burns, if you do not introduce yourself, this will go down as an F in the assessment category."
I chuckled and yelled, "Hey teacher! Katye doesn't speak. She's a MUTE!" I burst out laughing and Katye's face turns pink. "A stupid mute with a fat ass stomach." I throw in, even though her stomach is really skinny its almost unnatural. She glances down and frowns. The teacher turns towards her and says,
"I'm sorry Katye, I didn't realize. You can sit down now."
She sits down and looks at her journal. I notice she is drawing. The bell rings, signifying class is over. I smirk and walk over to her desk as everyone, including the teacher, leaves the classroom. This is going to be fun.

Katye's POV

The bell rings and I look down at my drawing. I gasp. In front of me is my father, pinning me up against the wall by my neck. Like last night. I start to close it quickly, but a large hand stops the pages from turning. I look up and see Zayne. Oh god.