Legacy

Chapter 8

I woke up to my phone blaring City Lights by Motionless In White. The time read 6:00am and it was Monday. I groaned realizing I had to deal with school. Lovely I thought as I began to get undressed. I looked at myself in the mirror. My bruises are so very visible on my exposed skin. I ran my finger over each and ever scar on my legs. Some self inflicted, some not. I ran my hand out the belt mark on my lower thigh. I looked at the scar on my ankle from my mom trying to stop me from crawling away when I was thirteen, all from when that living hell started. Only if I knew back then that resisting only made it worse. I let my eyes wonder to my stomach. Far to thin to look healthy and covered in nothing but bruises masking the actual color my stomach should be. I let my eyes wonder over my chest to my neck where a fading bruise was from where mom choked my a few weeks back. I looked at my black eye, dark and menacing. I didn't dare look at my arms for they were the worst of it all. My arms took most of the impact. I turned around to look at as much as I could of my back. One footprint and many bruises, some fading, most not. I sighed and walked to my closet and pulled out a long sleeved dress. I pulled it on only to have it practically fall off my bony body. I grunted realizing I would have to put on something that would show more of my hideous bruises then I'd like. I pulled on a pair of black skinny jeans ripped at the knees and pulled on a random tank top and my black jacket. I grabbed my phone, headphones, and my backpack and left my room. All of the children were at the door waiting for Ms. Blaze. She then walked into the living room yawning.

"Have a great day kids! Behave!" She called as they all filed out of the orphanage. Brittany gave me a hug and rushed out before I could say anything.

"Legacy? Here, I thought you'd like this. You seem a bit stressed and well, I thought I get you this. I hope you have a great day Hun." Ms. Blaze smiled handing me a Monster and a granola bar.

"N-no one has ever done this for me. Tha-thank you." I said shocked.

"It was no problem sweetie. Now, go on. You'll miss the bus. All of the kids are out there waiting. Just go join them. That bus will be here any moment now." She smiled giving me a hug.

I walked out the door and rushed to the mob of kids just as the hell on wheels arrived. Chris gave me a reassuring smile and took my hand. We all filed in and were off. I put my ear buds in and took my seat in back to avoid people.

Chris then sat beside me putting his arm around me trying to ease my discomfort. I smiled and offered him an ear bud. He took it out of my extended hand and placed it in his ear and smiled.

"Really?" he laughed at my song choice.

"What? I-I happen to like Ghost Town" I chuckled at his surprised face. He began to hum along to the song.

He turned to me and sang, "Creepy girls, you're just my style. Blood red lipstick, you don't smile, falling victim to your fantasy. Damn, I love it that you're so creepy."

I laughed as he drummed his fingers on my thigh trying to keep up with the beat.

"You d-dork." I joked giggling uncontrollably. Chris laughed and dramatically fist pumped the air and the song ended. The bus took a turn and we began to pull into the school. I sighed and began to mentally prepare myself for school. I turned to Chris.

"A-are they super noticeable? I-I've never received that bad a beating from her before." I inquired.

"I think you're beautiful." Chris stammered blushing.

"R-really?" I twitched. My torso jerked forward and I swore loudly causing many to look back at me in shock.

"Can I help you?" Chris scolded looking at the other children. They all turned away quickly and busied themselves.

"Yes, I think you're very beautiful. No doubt in it." Chris responded. He brushed the bangs from my eyes and reassured me that I shouldn't let what people say get to me.

"They are noticeable but if you act like they aren't there then no one will say anything." He insisted. I smiled and held my head high. I will do everything in my power to have a good day.

"Hey, before we get in school. Can I give you my number in case of anything?" Chris asked.

"Yea. I totally forgot about it." I laughed as I handed my phone for him to punch his number in. I then put mine in his phone right, as the bus doors swung open signaling us it was time for school. All of the children filed out of the door and rushed into the school. I took one last look at Chris and smiled. Maybe it won't be so bad I mused as I departed from Chris.

I walked to my locker and pulled out my Math, Science and English book. Right as I shut my locker door the bell rang telling me to get to class. I smiled at a few fellow classmates in which they returned it. Today will be different. Maybe I'll make a few friends. I walked into my math class and felt someone's foot in my path causing me to fall. My book spilled on the ground. I looked up and saw Tim smirking.

"Freak" He laughed. I looked around and saw so many others laughing. I picked up my books and slumped in my seat as the laughed got louder and more insults were thrown my way.

"Retard!" A pretty girl in the front yelled.

"Loser!" another brown-headed girl yelled.

"Faggot!" A blond-headed boy with braces yelled.

Silence rang out as the teacher walked in a grey suit. He smiled and began class. Paper balls were thrown at me. I looked up to see where these obscene letters were coming from and saw a smirking blonde boy with a smiling brunette girl with braces beside him. I opened it only to have the phrase, "kill yourself" in bubble letters as if to mock me. I held back tears and shakily shoved the letter in my bag. I laid my head on my desk and eagerly waited for the bell to ring.

Class went by so slowly but finally the bell rang waking me. I scrambled out of the classroom. I ducked my next class and ran home to the orphanage. As I exited the school I sent a text to Chris.

It read, "I love you"

He responded quickly saying, "I love you more."

I walked through the doors and Ms. Blaze was sitting on the couch looking through some paper work. She looked up at me with curiosity.

"Why are you home? School's not nearly over." She asked. I ignored her and quickened my pace to my bedroom. She shot up from the couch and chased me. I full on ran with all I had in me to my room and shut and locked the door. Ms. Blaze rammed on the door.

"Legacy please! Let me in!" She begged.

I ignored her and walked into my bathroom.

I began to fill my bathtub with water.

Some people just aren't meant to stay. I whispered to myself thinking of what's to come.