The Tattooed Prince| New Edition

7.

"I expected to come home and rest, instead I have to come home and discipline you!" My mom spat angrily, as tears streamed down my face. "A coworker sent me the video of you fighting at a club! Do you know how embarrassing that is?"

I wanted to respond to her and apologize for my behavior, yet my mouth didn't budge. My whole body was trembling from the shock she gave me from slapping me across the face. She raised her hand again, and I squeezed my eyes shut waiting for her hand to make contact with my face.

"That is enough Sandra!" My dad's voice boomed behind me.

My mother's eyes went straight to my dad and If looks could kill he would have died in that moment. "You're condoning this behavior?" She said shocked.

"I'm not condoning your behavior. She is a teenager and people fight. She feels embarrassed enough about the situation!"

She scoffed, "you are defending her," she clicked her tongue. "you knew she went out to Realm and got into a fight?"

He nodded, "I was the one who gave her permission to go out,"

"You know the rules," she muttered, almost as if she was trying to intimidate him.

My dad chuckled quietly, "Sandra, stop acting as if you never disobeyed your parents-" my mom opened her mouth ready to say something, but my dad beat her. "...before you bring up the 'my OCD controls my life' yeah it does, your life not our daughters','

He had said that to her before, the last time they got into a huge fight. I appreciated my dad for standing up for me, sadly, we were aware until I am able escape her grasp, I live under her rules. If he had the courage to leave her, I'd pack my bags and let him take me as far away as possible. He loves her though—I think. It seems like the only logical reason why he puts up with her.

"Go to your room, Adalyn." He orders me and I don't hesitate to get out of the presence of my mom. As I rush up the stairs I hear her say, "I am not done with you," but I am.

Slamming the door behind me, I leaned against the frame and burst into tears. Even after getting slapped, there was no way for me to convince myself I hate her—I don't. The memories of her soft laughter and her warm embrace are the reasons why I can't stop loving her. If I was strong enough, I'd stay next to my moms' side for the rest of my life. Sadly, it is clear she doesn't want me around—she might actually hate me.

My phone vibrated and Sebastian named popped up, hey are you feeling better? I began typing, 'No, my mom found out' — I erased the message and locked my phone. The screams of my parents became louder and I covered my ears with my hands, humming as loud as my lungs allowed me to. Guilt washed over me; they were fighting because of me. If I didn't disobey my moms' orders this wouldn't be happening, our happy little family could continue to play their role.

My life is not special; there is not a special talent I am hiding or a secret worth exposing. My safety wall was as high as the skies went and no one rarely made it to the other side. Feeling sorry for myself would be a waste of time; these were the cards I was dealt, either I learn how to play my cards—or find a way to get a new hand.

I picked myself up from the ground and made my way towards the bathroom. Staring at myself in the mirror, I saw the small cut on my lip. It wasn't the first time she manages to bust my lip, a small scar at the bottom of my lip is visible, and with each altercation, it tends to get longer. Soon enough, people will start to notice the scar. Grabbing some toilet paper I cleaned off the blood and washed my mouth. Admittedly, I somehow learned to numb the pain, although I cry when she lays her hands on me it's more of pure shock than anything.

I closed my eyes and sighed heavily, for someone so young —I am so tired.

♛♛♛

This morning I woke up with my heart feeling heavy; the soreness of my cheek was a reminder of what happened the night before and I wish there was a way for me to forget it. I closed my locker and the same guard from earlier this week was standing there looking at me. I raised an eyebrow at him; Sebastian needed me again?

"Before you tell me anything, what is your name?" I asked, curiously.

"Peter, I am the director of Prince Sebastian's guards," he responded, giving me a small smile.

"It is nice to put a name to a familiar face,"

He nodded in agreement, "follow me." and I walked behind him. I felt people's eyes on me as we walked down the hall, however, today, I didn't care if people talked about me. If the board of directors saw the video from this weekend, I will be happy if they expel me. I can finish ruining my life.

Peter took me back to the same empty room from Sebastian and I first encounter. Entering the room, Sebastian was sitting on top of a desk.

"Officer Ron was able to handle the problem and had a meeting with the board of directors. We are safe from getting expelled," he said cheerfully and stared at me as if he expected for me to be as happy as he was. "that is good news, Adalyn."

"I know, thank you," I simply responded and waited for him to tell me he was done talking to me.

His face scrunched him in confusion, "come here," he demanded. I didn't listen to him, his eyes had fallen on the cut on my lip.

I turned around getting ready to head out the room when he grabbed my arm and turned me around. Placing his hand underneath my chin he picked up my face, giving him a better look of my lip.

"Who did this to you?" he asked again, clenching his jaw.

"It is nothing," I assured him. "I bit my lip." I wasn't lying to him when my mom slapped me most of her force hit my lip and I managed to bit into it too.

"I am not stupid, Adalyn." his nostrils flared as he tried to control his anger. This was the second time I had seen him angry and it was safe to say it isn't a side I want to keep experiencing. "again, who hit you?"

"My mom...a coworker showed her the video and she came home and slapped me. I am okay though, nothing for you to get worked up for,"

He glared at me, "nothing for me to get worked up for? She had no right touching you!" he began to raise his voice.

"I disobeyed her rules," I snapped back. "this is what happens when I fuck up," my voice became small, remembering how helpless I truly felt.

He relaxed his shoulders and sighed, "no one deserves to be treated this way..." his voice trailed off, moving his eyes from my lip to meet my eyes. "you do not deserve this. You are coming to live at the palace with me."

"What?" I said confused. "Why?"

"I will not stand on the sidelines knowing this is how your parents treat you,"

"Sebastian, my parents love me. My mom has OCD and when her routine is broken she cannot control herself. My dad has never laid a finger on me," I tried explaining to Sebastian, however, he didn't want to hear any of it.

"You are my responsibility and I want you out of that house,"

"Since when did I become your responsibility?" I asked, baffled by this new reveal.

"When you decided to get in a fight for me. As your friend, I will protect you and as the Prince, I am not asking you if you want to leave your house, it is an order. You are going to come live with me in the palace and I promise I will not let anyone hurt you ever again,"

♛♛♛

Something more different than the first version of TTP.

Chapter Song: Sometimes by Chelsea Cutlers