Nature had always been significant to me. The trees, sunrise, and the subtle winds. That's why I always sat by the windows during school much to my girlfriend's dismay.
"You have half an hour to write. I want a solid response is that clear?"
My mind wondered as the clock ticked. I hated school but I did it for her. I did everything for her.
My attention snaps back to the prompt on the whiteboard as the grey-haired widow called out to me.
"Get busy, Peyton."
"Yes ma'am."
She smiled sweetly at my southern accent, seeming slightly surprised by my response.
"Put your papers on my desk at the bell. I will see you all next week and don't forget that-"
The bell rang, interrupting the older lady but I didn't care. I gathered my one notebook and took off towards the exit. The faster I get out of here the faster I get to hear her beautiful voice.
I ran through the parking lot as the call is connecting. I can hear the smile in her voice. She is always smiling.
"Hey, baby, how was school?"
"Hello to you too darling, it was the same as yesterday. How was your day?"
Her voice could never bore me. The thought of her just makes me smile.
"Well I started reading this book about childhood developmental delays in children who experienced addiction in their younger years and I must say it is interesting but very sad."
"Sounds very interesting."
Psychology and all that stuff isn't my thing it's all way too complex.
"I love you," I told her as I drove the beat-up Chevrolet down the highway to the place I slept at night, I never really considered it my home.
"I love you, too, we only have 30 more days until we're done."
"I know Em, but 30 days is a long time when I haven't seen you in three years."
"What are you doing tonight?"
"I'm not sure I might work on the truck later."
I could hear the nervousness in her voice as I pulled my truck into the driveway. Quickly realizing my mother was home.
"What if you finished school ou-"
I glanced over to the front door as my mother exited the house coming straight for me.
"I'll call you later. Moms hot on my trail."
I quickly ended the call deleting the call log before the door of my truck was ripped open.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Talking to a friend about an exam, ma'am."
"I need some cash."
"Why?"
The second it slipped from my lips was the second I regretted it.
Her rings connected with the side of my face, leaving gashes on my cheek. It usually stopped here but she must have been withdrawing.
In a split second, I was pulled from the truck being kicked over and over again as she slurred insults at me.
Between the blood and the sun, I could see our neighbor pull her away from me and look down at me with sympathy.
I tried to stand up but couldn't keep my balancing inevitably landing back in the dirt stained with my blood that had no point of origin.
"Hold on, kiddo, I called for some help."
"I'm fine, Mr. B, I just need some help up."
The older man tried to help me stand with no success as I became light-headed.
The sun slowly dimmed as the pain began to fade and all I could think about was my love, Emma.
I couldn't tell you how much time had passed or where I even was, all I heard was my best friend, Steven.
"What the fuck happened?"
"She was assaulted by her mother. The extent of her injuries means we will have to hold her for a few more hours. She's lucky she's eighteen or we would have to release her to a foster home."
"I need to call her girlfriend."
It took every ounce of energy to open my eyes at Steven's words.
"Don't. Don't tell Emma."
I watched as Steven completely ignored me walking out to call Emma.
"Fuck."
I sat in silence looking at the bandages around my ribs, deciding I didn't need them I pulled them off. It was just a little bruising.
The familiar ringtone played as I dreaded answering the beautiful girl. Her face popped up on the screen with tears in her eyes.
"You're coming home, baby. It's time you come home."
I was finally going home to the girl I loved.
