Battle within

Chapter One

            Leaving the past behind

This was it, I was finally letting go & moving forward, my thoughts were interrupted as I heard mom snapping her fingers in front of me " * chop chop, let's get moving. "
I stared at the boxes & wondered, was I really ready to leave all my memories behind?
It's just Mom & I, I know she misses dad, so do I. Jeremy is still out there, I can feel it.
Mom gave up a while ago, she kept worrying & it drove her insane. She felt like accepting his disappearance would be better for everyone, but how could I ? He's my brother, we were inseparable. But there's only one solution now.
This is what we need, a new beginning.
That's all I thought about as I watched my childhood home grow smaller & smaller

*Flashback*
1 year ago
I sat in my room, waiting for dad to get home, he'd been out like this a lot lately, coming home with a stench that could only be alcohol
I watched as the droplets of water cascaded down my window, just then, I heard dad's car pull in. Finally
I heard the front door open. Peeking from upstairs, I overhead yet another fight between Mom & dad.

" Why are you so difficult Harold ? Why can't you just be honest with me ! You come home almost every night wasted and expect me to be okay with it ? 
Would you get off my back for once ?! I'm tired Erica, this discussion is over.

That's the last thing I heard before running back to my room & shutting the door closed. If only I knew that would be the last time I heard dad's voice. Oh how I wish things were different
* End of flashback *

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes as I took in my surroundings, it was dark out & everything seemed different here
The town was buzzing & everyone seemed happy, almost as if they had no worry in the world.
We reached Norwood faster than I expected and before I knew it,
I was staring at my new house, the house I'd call home
We quickly unpacked the car and did as much as we could before exhaustion took over , I took a shower  & was getting ready to get into bed when something caught my eye, more like someone, i peeked through my window & the sight in front of me was enough to internally gag. There stood a tall, dark haired boy, locking lips with a blonde who looked like she couldn't get enough of him, gross.
He all but threw her on the bed & items of clothing started coming off & that was my queue.

I closed my curtains & went straight for the bed, as I layed there, all I could think about was my new life here, new school, new friends. I can't help but wish things will be different here.
My mind drifted to the mysterious guy next door. Did he go to the same school that I'd be attending? Who knows.
That was my last thought as I left sleep take over.

"No, no no ! Don't touch him ! Get away from him! Please, I'm begging you ! "
I woke up screaming. Another nightmare, these has been frequent ever since that dreadful night.
I heard mom come rushing in but all I could think about was the pain. The pain I felt everytime I woke up from one of these nightmares. It's always the same, I watch my brother being dragged away by them. The monsters, the one's responsible for my pain. I felt mom hugging me, telling me everything would be alright & we're safe now, are we? Did we really escape the doom that we called our lives ? I can't help but wonder.
I couldn't sleep after that, so I went downstairs & fetched myself a glass of milk & headed back upstairs.

*Beep beep*
I hit the snooze button hoping the sound would stop forever, but unfortunately, to no avail.
I lifted the covers and slipped my feet into my fury slippers. It's warm here in Norwood but there's no way that I'm parting with my slippers. I headed for a quick shower. The bathroom was steamed up by the time I was done. I stepped out of the bathroom and looked through my closet of the clothes I unpacked.

I switched my stereo on and moved my hips to the music.
I didn't get down to unpacking everything last night. I picked out a ripped jeans & tank top paired with my favourite converse.

Just then, I heard a whistle from across the room & I froze. Who could it be? It's only then that I remembered that I had a mysterious neighbor.
I slowly turned around hoping I heard wrong, but there he was, in all his morning glory, with a smirk on his face, eyeing me up & down.

" Nice underwear cutestuff. "
Did he really just say that?
" Eyes up here asshole ! "
He chuckled. " Don't flatter yourself princess. Nothing to look at anyway. "

Ouch. That stung. I don't have the body of a model but I wasn't that bad, was I? I always envied girls that were tall and thin. I, on the other hand, had to get stuck with curves in all the wrong places. I should really sign up at the gym nearby. I didn't let him see that he had hurt my feelings.
who does he think he is?

" Whatever. Maybe next time you wont let your eyes wander to places they aren't supposed to be. "

It's only then that I remembered that I'm still in just my underwear. Damn, way to go Hailey
As fast as I could, I shut my curtains.
I dressed and made my way downstairs
Smelling bacon & eggs is definitely a good way to start my day. Mom was always a hands on parent. More so after dad died.

" Hi honey. How'd you sleep after the uh, you know? "
Subtle. " I'm fine mom, you can stop worrying "
Rolling her eyes, she said " you'll know when you have your own kids "

I sat down and grabbed my plate, wasting no time in devouring everything, nightmares make me hungry. Looking at the time, I inwardly groaned, if I didn't hurry, I'd be late & it's my first day. Definitely not a good way to start the year.
" Gotta go mom, see you later ? "
" I'll be late tonight, be careful"

With him still being out there, mom is always stressed out. He promised he'd come after me and who knows when he'll keep to his promise.

Mom is an Air-hostess so she has late meetings here & there. She sometimes leaves for weeks, but who am I to complain? She does it for this family & she makes up for it when she's here.
I hugged her goodbye & walked out the door. Jumping into my old beat up car, I drove to school. Don't get me wrong, I didn't mind. Mom works hard & I appreciate the small things that I have. Besides, our house is fairly spacious & I have everything that I need.
I switched the radio on & hummed to Katy Perry

To say I was nervous was an understatement. If this was the old me, I wouldn't be. The old me was confident & bold. But things have changed, I've changed
My plan is to keep my head low & just stay hidden till the end of Senior year. After all, I'm out of here in no time. Then college it is.
I parked my car as close to the entrance as I could. I inhaled, preparing myself for what's to come. Now isn't the time for a mental breakdown, pull yourself together Hailey.

Just as I was about to get out of the car, speeding lights was seen coming right at me. They stopped just behind me & wouldn't stop honking. Dammit, really?
They rolled down their windows & before I could say anything. A girl came storming up to me.
" What do you think you're doing ?" That's my parking spot. Move it loser "
Okay. Hold up? " i don't see your name on it yeah ? Oops. Guess I didn't get the memo. "
To say she was shocked was an understatement & judging by looks on everyone's faces, I can tell that no one has ever spoken to her like that.

"  You messed with the wrong girl, bitch. "

With that said, she strutted away with a mandatory hair flip in her high heels & mini skirt. I've got to admit, she's beautiful. Straight out of a magazine beautiful. Blonde hair with long tanned legs.
I looked around noticing everyone's eyes on me. The new girl.
It's the first day & I've already drawn attention to myself & possibly made an enemy. Yay me