Faith, Hope, Trust

The First Conversation

*Christina's POV*

Over the next couple of days I started to see more of Janae in music, homeroom and in social studies which is a class you have with your homeroom teacher. I started to see bruises and scrapes on her arms and her legs. I started to get really suspicious and I kept trying to shake it off and just think maybe she fell or something. I told the school's administration board and they've started talking to social services but for it to go any further I have to get more information. I decided to talk to her today.

'Hey Janae can I talk to you for a second,' I say walking over to the table she's packing her bag at.

'Yeah sure,' Janae says looking up from her bag.

'So, recently I've seen a lot of concerning bruises and scrapes on your arms and legs and I just wanted to check in and make sure you're okay,' I ask.

'Oh um yeah I'm fine, thanks I uh tripped in the woods a couple days ago,' she says fidgeting.

'Janae, I just want to make sure you're okay so you know you can talk to me whenever,' I say earnestly.

'Yeah, thanks can I go now please, I'm going to be late,' she says rushed picking up her backpack.

'Yes, thanks for talking to me,' I say as Janae runs out.

I sit down really worried about her. As she was sitting down I could see the top of a gash on her forehead. I call the school's administration office to tell them about Janae. They said that social services were going to send out some people to have a look at her home.

*Janae's POV*

Ms.Cimorelli talked to me about some bruises and scrapes I had. I know she knows something is up but I lied to her anyways. On the way to math I quickly prayed that I'd have the strength and courage to tell Ms. Cimorelli what was going on. During math I zoned out.

*Flashback*

I walked in from school and dad was at the kitchen table.

Janae what is this,' he says pointing to dishes left on the table from breakfast.

Oh, uh I forgot to clean the dishes after breakfast, I was running late dad,' I say nearly running past my dad, putting the plates in the sink and turning on the hot water.

'Janae I've told you about this before,' he shouts walking over to me pulling the hood of my jacket back and turning me around to face him.

He  repeatedly hits me across the face with his hand and then picks up the metal ladle we have and hits it off the top of my head. My head starts to bleed and I run down to the dark and humid basement. He runs after me, grabs my wrists and slams me against the wall. He continues to try and hit me as I block with my  arms and they get really bruised. Finally he leaves saying 'You know what will happen if you tell.

I go into the bathroom that's down in the basement and see the makeup mom bought me before she died, leaving me with this monster. I get some tissue and apply pressure to the big gash on my head and the little cuts on my arms and legs from defending myself. I then break down crying, praying to let this stop. I always pray the exact same thing after dad beats me. 

*Janae's POV*

The bell rings and gets me out of the memories for a while. I hope I can trust someone enough to tell someone soon.