Bruises

Revelation

"Where the fuck have you been?!" My father roared when I tried to discreetly walk inside my house.

"Over a friends. What do you care?" I tried ignoring him today, but that was always impossible.

"Don't you dare try to ignore me!"

"Oh so what now? You suddenly think you're entitled to a good parent now just cause you pretend to care?!"

"Shut up!" He slapped me across the face, but you know what? I've become numb to it.

I didn't even care at this point. He could hit me all he wanted, it wouldn't change anything anymore.

"If you excuse me I'm going to spend quality time with people who actually care about me." I stormed out.

"Come back here you stupid bitch!"

He tried following me, but I lost him.

Alexa texted me to meet up at our spot we used to go to when we would run away from all our problems. I remember we used to make plans about running away from this messed up town, and moving south somewhere like Florida or Georgia. Of course it was just two middle school girls dreaming on.

It was a grassy spot in the middle of the forest.

She was already waiting for me crying. I wondered what made her like this.

The second I sat next to her she cried into my arms. "Thank God you're here."  At this point I was really worried.

It must've been something big if she asked me to meet her here. The last time we were here was 8 grade year.

"What's wrong Lexi?!" My heart longed for her. Whatever pain she was going through, I felt too.

"I did it. I finally did it."

"Did what?"

"I-i b-b-b."

"C'mon you can say it. It's me, Skylar."
"I broke up with Conner," she sobbed. "Oh I'm, I'm sorry."

"I just don't know what I want anymore. I'm confused, but I still love him, so I had to let him go. I couldn't draw him along and string with his feelings, and I had to sacrifice my live for him. I just miss him so much, and I feel like I ruined everything and he'll never look at me the same way. I'm just so confused."

I couldn't possibly come up with something reassuring to say. But after all she was always there for me, and just this one time she needed me.

"Don't worry you'll meet someone one day who you deserve. You're the most amazing gorgeous kind girl I know, and anyone would be lucky to call you their girl, even if its just for a second."

She tilted her head up at me.

"You really think so?"

"I know so. As much as I've been trying to hide it from you and myself, but I've been in love with you for a long time, so I have front row of what that looks like-" it was already unexpected enough of my sudden bravery but it was even more surprising when her lips made contact with mine.

It started off as a soft kiss, but it slowly got deeper. I couldn't get enough of her. She tasted like strawberry chapstick.

I knew it was wrong, I knew it was betrayal, but that just made me want more of it.

How could I do this to Conner?! After everything he's done for me? Just because I wanted this for a long time, didn't make it right. But I didn't care.

She withdrew and held her hand on my face.

"Skylar tell me truth of why you never let me go to your house or see your dad?" She knew I was lying.

"He, he, he ab-buses me. Physical, verbal, and mentally all together."

"I'm sorry I didn't know." She wrapped me in a hug but mostly to hide that she was crying. "Gosh, I'm such a terrible friend. I've been so selfish and caught i in my own world to realize your home life."

I shook my head. "No you're the opposite. You've offered me a home and family and love like no other. You've helped me overcome everything."

I wiped her tear away from her soft face.

"How long?"

"Since my mom died." She pecked me on the lips, a soft kiss.  "I should've expected it."

"Its not your fault, this town is just so fucked up."

"Skylar?" She called out. "You have my attention."

"Lets runaway, for real this time...."