Not so broken after all

Chapter 1

My father had wanted a boy. When the doctor told him that I was male, he was overjoyed. Until he learned that the doctor had made a mistake, which was when I was born. I was a girl. The first disappointment brought to my father by me. The first of many. That's why I have a boy's name. But it doesn't matter, because he never uses my real name.

"Kayley, please clean up the dishes before leaving the house."

"Yes dad."

This was the way it had always been, playing nice in front of my mother. Acting like we were a typical, normal family.

"Please help your sister, Camryn."

"Yes mommy."

I smiled as my little sister walked over to help me.

"I can do it by myself Cammy, you can go play in our room."

"Okay!" She said as she ran into the basement, her light brown hair bouncing as she went down the stairs.

I started loading the dishwasher when my mom spoke up.

"I've been thinking of taking a Zumba class at the YMCA. It would be from 8:00 to 10:00 two days a week."

"Sounds like fun." It sounds horrible. Two more night alone with my father when my mom can't protect me.

"I think you should do it, dear." He said as he kissed her cheek. Oh how I want to tell her everything. But I know I can't.

I put the last plate down. "I finished. Can I go to my room now?"

My mom nods her head and I walk down the stairs and through the door leading to my room.

The familiar scent of lavender welcomes me, and the icy blue of my walls calms me down.

"Mom is gonna be gone two more nights than usual for a couple of weeks." I know Camryn can hear me. she is just hiding behind the bean bag chair I bought.

"Why does she keep leaving us alone with him?" I can hear the worry with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Because she doesn't know. And she can't know." I simply state.

I watch Camryn come out and lay down in our bed. My bed technically, but she has basically moved in.

"Are you still gonna keep your promise?"

"I will always keep my promise." I assured her. I remember the day we made that promise to each other.

I carried her into my room and locked the door. The bruise near her ribs was turning an angry blueish purple.

"Shh it's okay Cammy."

She has stopped crying, but is whimpering in pain.

"Will you make him stop hurting me?"

I looked into her eyes and I knew I would protect her.

"I promise that he will never hurt you as long as I'm around."

She just nodded her head and closed her eyes.

She had looked so small and fragile. After that day, I did everything to get the pain instead of her. Argued, pissed him off, broke things. But it was worth it to keep her safe.

----------------------------------------------

I woke up the next morning not even remembering when I fell asleep. Camryn was sitting on my bean bag chair and got up as soon as I sat up.

"School."

I nodded my head and got dressed. Black jeans, white tank top, black leather jacket that I got for my birthday from my mom. I put on my black and blue sneakers and grabbed my snapback and school bag before leaving the room, hearing Camryn's footsteps behind me.