Four Girls, One Problem

Angel's Bruise

I needed a break from the drama. It was nice just to sit at home and not worry for once. I made myself dinner and showered. I cleaned up a little and flipped through TV channels. Where was my mom this time? A bar? Someone's house? Jail? Would she call me soon, asking me to bail her out? Was she on a plane? Boat? Train? Was she with Luke?

I couldn't stand Luke! He was awful! I was really scared for my mom--hopefully he wouldn't hurt her. Why did she have to lose herself? Life would be so much easier if I had a mom who actually cared about her daughter's well-being. I mean, seriously. There's a time in one's life where they take care of themselves--I'm not there yet. I sometimes feel like I am, though.

Mom's laugh rang in my ears as the front door opened and shut.

"Hi, Mom," I said, still flipping though channels.

"Hi, Angel," she hugged me from behind. "Luke's here."

"Kay," I said, still focusing on the TV.

"Luke, honey, I'mma slip into sweats. Why don't you just wait here?" she asked him.

Hell no!

"Okay," he said.

I heard Mom go up the stairs and I felt the couch move, because Luke sat down. I finally clicked on How I Met Your Mother and laid down on the couch.

"So, Angel," Luke said when it was commercial.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Why don't you like me?" he asked me. I could feel him looking at me.

I shrugged. "I don't like my mom dating the way she is. You'll never be my dad."

A fist came into contact with my leg and I sat up. I scooted as far away from him as possible.

"Look," he growled. "You will not talk to me that way. Understand?"

I swallowed. "I'm not afraid of you."

He chuckled. "You really shouldn't've said that."

He threw me on the floor, my head hitting the leg of the nearby coffee table, and began kicking me. After a while, I let him. I was so tired of fighting. I wanted to sleep. When he finally stopped, I drug myself upstairs just as my mom was coming down. She looked at me, confused. "What happened?"

I looked at Luke, looked down, and back at my mom. "You wouldn't believe me. So, the story is, I fell."

I went to my bathroom and washed up. I had one huge bruise on my left leg. It was black and purple. I took my foundation and covered it up. I went to my bed and once again, cried myself to sleep. When was this bullshit going to end?! I wanted Luke out of our lives! I wanted my mom back! I wanted my dad back! I wanted my life back! I continued to cry harder, but keep as quiet as possible.

****

I didn't want to go to school. It was Monday and plus, I hurt too much. It wasn't like my mom would notice. She probably wasn't even home. She probably already left. I sat up, and looked at my puddle of tears that sat on my pillowcase and continued onto the sheets. I went and washed my face and crawled back in the bed. What was one day home going to hurt?

I did nothing for the morning part of the day. Mom wouldn't get home till late tonight, anyways. The home phone rang and I answered it.

"Hello?"

"This is Clearwater High School. Your daughter, Angel Bloom was absent today. Please make sure--"

I hung up. I looked at the time and school was let out. My phone immediately exploded with texts. Raine, Kourtney, and Shianne texting me, asking me where I was. I told them I overslept and turned on the TV. Then I got a call and I looked at the name. Mason.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey, Angel," he said. "Why weren't you in school today?"

"You--? You noticed?" I chuckled.

"Yeah. Ever since Main Event, I've been looking for you around school," he said.

I smiled to myself. "I, uh, overslept, but I might be there tomorrow."

"Cool," he said.

"Yep, uh, so, I'll talk to you later then," I said.

"Okay, bye," he said.

I hung up and was glad I was sitting down!

Mason called me! He noticed I wasn't there! He was looking for me!! That never happened anymore. I was just so happy! I walked out of my house and took a walk. I put my headphones in my phone and listened to my music. As each song played, things seem to calm around me. As if the world wasn't filled with hatred. It felt like the world could be peaceful.

I saw a group of people and they were skatboarding. I would fall on my face. I have no balance whatsoever. A skater-girl noticed me and said, "You got a problem, Starer?"

I blinked and looked down. I hadn't realilzed I'd stopped walking or started staring.

"Hey, it's cool," one of the guys said. "Wanna ride?"

I shook my head, keeping my head down.

"I'm Nick," he stuck his hand out. [AN: Nick Saban, dirty blonde hair, hazel eyes, five foot eight, both loving parents, only child, 17, born June 9th, 1995]

"Angel," I took his hand.

"Over there is Greg and Abby," he pointed to his group.

[AN: Greg Benson, black hair, green eyes, five foot ten, no parents--he moved out at 16--only child, 19, born March 14th, 1993)(Abigale--Abby--Meyer, long auburn hair that goes to the start of her ribcage, sky blue eyes, six brothers, no sisters, mom died when she was two, 16, born October 20th, 1996]

"Hi," I nodded at them.

Abby picked up her skateboard and stood next to Nick. "You skate?"

"Oh, no," I chuckled. "I can't."

"We could help you," Greg said walking to me.

I shook my head. "I think I'll just watch."

Abby went and skated some more, so did Greg, and Nick just stood in front of me.

"Y'all don't have school?" I asked.

"We come here every day after school. School let out fifteen minutes ago," he reminded me.

"Oh yeah," I laughed.

"Nick!" Abby called and Nick gave her a "one sec" sign.

"She okay?" I asked.

"She has it rough at home," he whispered.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"She has six brothers and a dad. She never knew her mom, really. She died when she was two," Nick said.

"THAT IS NOT YOUR STORY TO TELL!!!" Abby yelled.

"Abs, I'm sorry. She asked," Nick defended himself.

"That's not her business!!" she snapped.

"Abby, calm down," Greg placed a hand on her shoulder.

She looked at me with teary eyes--filled with hate--and continued to skateboard.

"I shouldn't have said anything..." I said, walking away.

"Wait," Nick grabbed my arm.

I looked at him and he smiled.

"Come by tomorrow after school?" he asked.

"Sure," I shrugged.

I made new friends today. That was new. I was excited.

****

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