Sunflower

53 - Attention

Micah

I wake to the sound of my mother washing dishes downstairs. By the way the plates are clashing together, I can tell she is upset.

Perfect.

I roll out of bed. My crutches are still damp from last night, but I don't mind. Even if I did, I would have nothing else to use anyway.

I walk to my bathroom, so I can start getting ready for the day. As soon as I walk through the door, I am greeted with a stranger staring back at me through the mirror. I've been hurt before, but God, my face has never looked worse.

There is a pinkish bruise painting the cheek Mom slapped. Compared to the rest of my face however, it is nothing. My forehead has a large, bloody gash running through it, and there is dried blood crusting over all of my face. My nose is purple and bruised, as is part of my neck and shoulder. I see the imprints of her fingertips in purple on my skin. When I begin to clean it, searing pain surges through my back.

I wipe any dried blood that was left on my face, hoping that would make it seem better.

But it didn't. My entire face is bruised, and as I try to move my jaw, my nose and cheek begin to ache. Tears rush down my red face, causing my skin to burn. I wipe them away, but that only worsens the pain.

I walk downstairs when I know Mom has left. I don't want her to see me, see what she has done to her child. I know she would take pride in it, or, if she was really, really drunk last night, deny that she ever did it. Both things I did not want to experience, so I left my house a few minutes after her.

When I arrive at school, I am hesitant to get out of my car. I don't want people to see me. People will stare, people will talk. Soon, rumors will spread and I'll be the talk of my entire high school. Some kids enjoy the attention, but definitely not me.

I decide I can't skip class, not again. I've done it so often, I'm afraid I might fall behind in my classes, even if all the work is extremely easy for me.

Walking down the hallway, a few people turn and stare. They whisper something to their little group of friends, but then look away. So far, it isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Until I walk into my homeroom, and I see Theo's eyes lock with mine.

~ shi