Torn

Chapter Two.

I was trying to walk home, trying to silence my steps, but the crunch of the leaves under my feet wouldn't hush. My home was relatively close to the school, because my parents didn't want to obtain the responsibility of driving me to school, but that didn't stop the biting wind from hitting my face. My nose was slowly going numb, even though it was still running. I live in a pretty nice neighborhood, because my parents are kinda wealthy, but we all know they're never home. As i'm walking, I noticed that the "Eli" kid looked really familiar. Like, I've seen him before. Maybe we went to the same elementary school or something. Walking home was really awkward, because it was basically nothing but silence. I wanted to just put my earbuds in, but my phone was damn near dead, probably because of that girl trying to unlock it. Bitch. Anyways, I look around me, and I look at the trees. Greens, yellows, reds, and other varieties of color. Autumn is my favorite season, and sadly it was coming to an end, morphing into winter, my second favorite season, because of the beautiful snow and all of the activities you can do. Walking around and looking at the holiday lights HAS to be one of my favorite things to do, behind reading. I'm such a nerd, I know. Greer and June think so, anyways. I don't know about Hudson. Ugh, that damned boy, he needs to get out of my head. Speaking of the devil, my (almost dead) phone goes off, and guess who it's from? Hudson. Oh I just can't wait to see what he has to say to me. 

I approach my driveway, and look up to see a car. I can't tell if that's my mom or dad's car, since they're never home, I can't really tell who's car is who's. Tears come to my eyes, but I fight them away. Why are one of them here? Home? Did something bad happen? Gosh, I have so many fucking questions. I press my shaking hand against the cold door knob, and slowly turn it. I have no idea what to expect, it's like i'm excited but terrified at the same time. My body's going cold but my face feels like it's burning, so I knew that my cheeks were going a vibrant red. Finally, I turn the door knob and lightly push on the door, not wanting to awaken anyone, if someone was sleeping. I peek around the door, half expecting to see my parents together, like when I was little, but all I saw was my mom, passed out on the couch, a wine glass in hand. What was I thinking, for assuming that my mom and father would be together. I looked at her, and the tears flowed out and I couldn't stop them. How long has she been like this? Did her and dad fight again? I closely examine her and I see a bruise. Soon, I find two bruises, three. Her damaged legs and arms, her black eyes she had tried to cover up with her business makeup, her tears, washed some of the makeup off, exposing her blue and purple addition under her those beautiful green eyes. They were such a pretty shade, but every time I've seen her recently, when my father and her would argue, the shade of green has dulled, and the whites of them were always red from the endless river of tears she cried, wondering where she went wrong. She would wear tights every time she wore dresses, so the bruises and scrapes wouldn't be as exposed. Did anyone know my dad was doing this to her? How long has this been happening? She obviously hasn't told anyone, otherwise these wouldn't be here. The sorrow eventually turned into anger, and I rushed off into my room, to put my backpack done. I needed to wake her up and confront her about it.

MOM'S POINT OF VIEW

I opened my eyes, as soon as Elyssa left. I hadn't even been drinking the damn wine, there's no use in getting drunk, it's not going to help anything. Every time I drink, I don't even get drunk, I just act drunk so Miles doesn't hurt me anymore, but that doesn't work very well, now does it? Poor Elyssa, I wonder what she's thinking right now. She's probably so mad, which is why she most likely stormed off. I know my baby girl, and I know she doesn't think that I know her, because i'm mostly at work all the time, and I feel bad that I can't spend any time with her, and I want to prove to her that I really love her, but it's not easy. I know she's hurting, and I know that she's taught herself many things, and i'm so proud of her. Me and her father, Miles, used to be all about her, but he got "too busy" for his child. Part of me wants to take her and move away, since he was barely a father since the beginning, but I know that if I did, if he found out where I am, he would flip, and do something worse than what he's already been doing. I know I should be telling someone, but I don't want him to hurt me or Elyssa. If he hurt Elyssa... he would never hear the end of it. I know he hurt her emotionally, but if he ever hurt her physically... we would be out of there in an instant.

"So...mom. You're awake?" I heard Elyssa say from the hallway. How long has she been there?

"Oh, shit.. yeah. Major headache though, y'know?" I come up with a lie.

"Yeah.. so. I saw your black eyes. Your arms, legs. Do I even wanna know what other injuries he's given you?" She asked, teary eyed.

"It's a long story, honey, one that you'll understand in the future, just please, believe me. It's for good cause."

She had started going off on me. "How the fuck can it be for good cause? Do you know how bad this hurts me? How long has he been doing this for? Is it only him, or is other people, too?"

"Please, hun, calm down. I know, it's shocking, but I promise, i'll explain in the near future."

"Whatever, mom. Just know I WON'T be forgetting this, not now, not ever. I will remember it until' your death day, actually. And if you don't tell someone, that day will be sooner than expected. Think smarter, not faster." She said before storming off.

And those words made me think.. She's right.