when loving lies // h.s

chapter 2

I looked at myself in the mirror after the steam rolled out of the open door. I was wrapped in my light pink robe, my hair wrapped in a towel.

The time read half past six in the morning, too early for my liking. I untied the string to my robe, allowing it to slip down my slender arms, revealing the scars and bruises.

I ran my finger over the big one by my rib, the one that still haunts me to this day. "He isn't going to hurt you anymore," i tell myself, but how do i know that i'm telling myself the truth? I let down my long dirty blonde hair which now covered the bruises on my collar bone.

My school here in Michigan started an hour earlier than my school in Texas, along with the torturous sun. I slipped on my ripped, skinny jeans and grey t-shirt, ruffling up my mess of brown locks. My unruly waves were thrown into a effortless bun and my converse were laced to my feet.

I hadn't the time to eat breakfast, so I just tucked away a granola bar into my book bag. Though I always tried my best to slip out of the house before my dad woke up, he always seemed to catch me.

"ahem, has someone forgotten about our deal?" he questioned, his arms crossed over his chest. Hanging from his hips was a tied robe I had bought him for Christmas two years back.

"No, I was just-," I fumbled around my words as my dad simply stood staring and waiting for my excuse. Our deal was, I could have freedom on the weekends, along with friends, if he and my mother kept tabs on me during the weekdays. My father gave up on listening and simply took his keys from the kitchen, nodding his head towards the door, motioning me outside.

I sighed softly, pushing a lock of long hair behind my ear. I was a senior in high school and I was being treated like I just caught my first breath of air.

The minutes ticked by as we rode in silence. Oakland High was a total of ten minutes from my hell of a home. My dad refused to talk much in the morning but I didn't complain, for I wasn't in the mood to open my mouth and allow words to exit either.

Before I could realize, I was practically being pulled out of my car my Caroline. Caroline was the only person I had managed to make friends with throughout my first few weeks here. Caroline was the single rose of this school full of thorns.

"Emma, how's it going?" she would question every morning as I emerged from my car. This morning was different, she was a ball of energy ready to burst at the sight of me.

"Emma, do you wanna come with me to sign up for prom committee?" she blurted, too exited for seven thirty in the morning. The fact that she called me Emma, not Amelia, was a breath of fresh air.

"Oh Caroline...I don't think that's a good idea," I frowned, shrugging my shoulders.

"Don't be such a downer, it'll be fun," she persuaded, poking me on the shoulder. I sighed, giving in to my constant "no thanks" attitude.

"Fine," I huffed, following her to a small table labeled, 'Prom Committee Sign Ups' I rolled my eyes at the sight of the two plastic like girls behind the table.

"Caroline Hale and Amelia Tucker," Caroline requested as we approached the table. The tanned goddess on the right scoffed.

"What makes you think you can just waltz in here and get a spot for such an important job?" she sneered, staring me up and down.

"I-I," I stumbled upon my words with a frown.

"Doesn't matter. Besides, only those with the most school spirt get chosen," she mocked.

"You look about as exciting as a rock anyways," she remarked, causing the blonde beauty to crack a chuckle.

"You're a bitch, Kendall," Caroline spit from behind me. The girl stood, revealing her cheerleading uniform.

"Come on Caroline, where's your school spirit?" she smirked before collecting the papers and walking away, followed by the blonde haired duckling, who followed her every move.

"Oh, forget it Emma, I didn't want to be on their damn committee anyways," Caroline assured me. I didn't care too much of the committee, more of the way the girl, I now know as Kendall, had humiliated me.

...

"Why do you get to choose my life?" I calmly questioned my mother as we entered the house.

"Because, I am your mother and you are my child and I can choose to do as I please with you, young lady," she barked.

"But I just-" I started but was soon rudely interrupted.

"It's either this dinner or circle for change, Amelia, you choose," she said through gritted teeth. I sighed in annoyance at the nerve of my mother.

"I'll just get dressed for the dinner then," I bit, making my way up the stairs. My parents were so infuriating, constantly keeping my blood boiling.

"That's what I thought," she called. I shut the door with force like a small, immature child who had been told "No."

I stared at myself in the mirror, my hair was frizzy and my clothes wouldn't do. I stalked over to my closet, picking out a pair of jeans and a solid white t shirt. I placed them on, along with my converse. I let my hair flow with its natural wave, after a quick brushing, and ran back down the stairs.

"You're wearing that?" my mother placed her hands on her hips, looking me up and down.

"I planned on it," I sighed, knowing what was to come next.

"Oh no, that won't do. Here I picked this up today, this is what you will wear," she exclaimed, handing me a garment bag.

I slowly unzipped it, revealing a short, hideous, yellow dress. My eyes popped out of my head, knowing I would have to wear it.

"Go put it on. Oh, and put on a tiny bit of makeup, would you?" she instructed, rolling her dark eyes.

...

I stared at myself in the full length mirror and sighed. I couldn't look at myself any longer, I decided end my suffering and join my parents down stairs.

"Oh Amelia, you look beautiful!" my mother cooed, pulling out her phone, snapping a picture.

"Come on you two, we're going to be late," My dad called from the living room.

(hello again!! I would just like to thank you all for all the support on my last book Imperfect!!! I wanna say that i have progressed a lot throughout this year and i wanna say thank you for being patient and keeping up with the story xx p.s i hope you enjoy this story just as much as the last)