Secrets | l.h.

Chapter One - Home

I jogged home from my daily run, ready to let my sweaty hair loose and get ready for my older brother's return. 

My name's Makayla, Makayla Clifford. But most people call me Kayla. You could call me May, but that's reserved for people who I love dearly. Like my brother, Michael.

My dad's not really home often, but my mom is home a majority of the time. When they're around, I guess they act like they care. They try to hug me, kiss me, act like they love me, but deep down, I know they don't. If they did, they'd atleast tell me where they go sometimes. 

I'll know for a fact that they aren't at work, but they aren't home. And if they did care, they would probably notice how I don't eat, won't come out of the bathroom for hours, and that sometimes I come home with bruises and cuts not made be me.

They're made by Sam and Jake, my bullies. It started happening around seven months ago, when Michael left. He's only three two years older than me, but he would always make sure to run over to my school to make sure I'm alright.

The day after he left was the day my life stopped. Mom and dad don't care anymore, all of my friends left me because I wasn't "popular enough", and I quote: "You're just an ugly, fat, no-good slut who shouldn't even exist. Me and the entire school thinks so. And last time I checked, so does your family. I mean, you're brother left you here probably because he didn't even want to think about you. I feel so sorry for him, having to look and be around you everyday. No wonder he left."

So that's how my life goes. I'm not sure if Michael is going to want to see me anymore, though at think he does. He didn't contact me the entire time he was gone except for when he texted me to see why mom and dad weren't answering their calls.

As I jogged up to my house, I saw an unfamiliar van parked out front. I stepped into the unexpectedly clean home, smelling fresh cookies.

Laughter echoed from the living room.

"I'm glad to have you back, son."

"Thanks dad." 

"Michael?" I found them in the living room, happily talking and munching on cookies.

"Hey Kylie." Kylie. My name is Makayla.

"W-What?" I breathing quickened.

"That's your name, isn't it?" My brother forgot my name. I looked to my mother for help but all I saw was a selfish woman looking down, trying to contain her evil smile.

"It's Makayla. You call me May. Well, used to." I bounded up the stairs, hearing a chuckle from my parents, and probably one from Michael, too.