When we arrived, I got off, waving to my mom before she drove off down the busy road. I walk inside, knowing I would see him. The boy who I knew had a crush on me. I didn't feel that way about him but he was a sweet guy. His name was Wes. He was my age and kind of a bookworm. He wore glasses and a lot of flannel. I went into my usual spot in a lounge area of the Library. I sat down and as usual Wes comes popping out from behind a bookshelf. "Hi, Anna!"He exclaims as he sits across from me. I sigh, this guy is so quirky, "Hey Wes" I say looking at him. "So how are things?"He asks me. I shrug "Good I guess, "I say to him. I knew I couldn't tell him anything about my life. "And you?"I ask him. "Same old, My mom is making me begin to look for colleges," He says with a groan. I sigh, I knew he couldn't help it but It bothered me how much this guy took for granted. "Have you been looking at colleges?"He asks. I shift in my seat "No, uh I don't think I'm going to college"I say shaking my head. "Why not?"He asks me, furrowing his eyebrows. I shrug, not knowing what to say "I guess, I'm not really into that kind of thing. I'd rather just get a job and stick with that" I say looking anywhere else but his eyes. He nods not asking any more questions. It was an awkward silence between us and I just wanted him to go away. "Hey, can I ask you something?" he asks, nervously pushing back his glasses to his face. I sigh looking at him to continue, "Um I know this is gonna sound weird but um, would you wanna go and maybe get coffee with me?" he asks, his hopeful tone making my head spin at the offer. I wasn't gonna lie, Wes was pretty attractive. He had light brown hair and even though he was pretty geeky, it was clear he worked out. The problem was that I feared what Mom or Travis would say. I sigh, "I don't know Wes..." "Just think about it. I just want to get to know you" He says. I look into his hazel brown eyes, giving in, "Okay, one date"I say. He smiles "Great how about tomorrow at 6?" he asks. I then remember work. "I have work, maybe Saturday?" I suggest. He smiles "Great, I'll pick you up at your house?"He asks. I shake my head immediately, "No, um we can meet here" I say. He nods "Great," He says pulling out a book to read. I knew he wasn't gonna leave anytime soon so I simply read my book as well...
About an hour passes and Wes, being his talkative self, continued to make small conversations not realizing that I didn't feel like talking. Soon enough, my phone goes off. Wes miraculously stops talking and I pick up the phone. It was Travis. I feel my stomach dropped as I stared at the I.D. Wes gives me a weird look and I put the phone to my ear. "Hey, Travis" "Where are you?" "The Library, why? Where's mom?" "At the house. Come home now" I sigh hanging up the phone. I quickly start putting my stuff away, thinking the worst. "Are you okay?" Wes asks. "I'm fine" He had noticed my sudden fearful state, "Are you sure? You're shaking" He tries to grab my arm but I yank it away, "I said I'm fine" I snap at him without wanting to. I feel him step back and I finish putting my things down. When I finally look up, he had a look of hurt as well as a blushed face. I sigh, putting my hand on his shoulder "I'll see you tomorrow"
I quickly walked out of the building, walking in the direction of my house. With every step I took, I was terrified of what was to come as soon as I opened the door. Did something happen? Will Travis be mad?
It took a good half hour and I finally made it to the driveway. It was now later in the even, and the sunset. I hesitantly opened the door, pushing the door open; fearing not to make so much noise.
The room was dark but the light of the kitchen was on. I softly shut the door and made my way to the light. I peered my head into the room and I felt my chest tighten. There were broken plates and glass everywhere. I stepped further into the room, making sure not to step on the glass. I examined the room, moving around the counter to head for the living room. My stomach dropped when I saw my Mom lying on the ground, unconscious. "Mom," I say kneeling down next to her. She had a cut on her face as well as bruises all along with her eye to her chest. "Oh god. Mom, please wake up" I shake her and she slowly opened her eyes. Tears burned my eyes as I looked into her bloodshot ones. "Anna, you're home" I hear behind me. I turn seeing Travis leaning against the wall with a beer bottle in his hand. He was drunk. "What did you do to her?" I ask feeling my blood boil. "Had to teach her a lesson" I slowly started to lift her up but she fell over. "Oh come on! Get your ass up!" he yelled trying to grab her by her hair. I push him away, "Don't touch her" I yell. He slaps me and my mom grabs his arm. He pushes her down and tries to grab her again. "No! Please" I say grabbing his wrist. He pins me against the wall, holding my neck roughly. He huffs angrily staring at my face. "Please" I beg. He found my pleading funny, letting out a sick chuckle. He kisses my cheek roughly, making me want to throw up. He then lets me go walking out of the room. "Clean this shit up" he yells out as he goes to his room. I drop down next to my mom, feeling my chest hurt as I looked at her withered face. "Oh, mom" I whisper as she tries to smile weakly. "It's okay," she says standing up. She leaves me alone to cry in the dark room.
Why does it have to be this way?...
