Free Me

Same Old, Same Old

I open my eyes and look around me. There is a sharp pain and a loud pounding in my head. Where am I?

I see broken glass, lamps turned over, furniture flipped on it's back. I look further to the right and see him, my father, passed out on the couch with a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka in his dangling hand. I sluggishly pull myself up.

I'm sore... in pain. My feet move clumsily to the bathroom. I look in the mirror and what do I see? A black eye, a gash in my forehead with dried blood surrounding it, and a busted lip.

What happened to me?

Well I may not remember anything but I can certainly put the pieces together. Another... Incident.

I pick up my cracked iPhone to look at the time. I remember when father threw it at the wall because I refused to leave the house after he'd been screaming at me telling me to get out. That was the least terrifying thing that happened that night. It's 10:57 am. I've already missed first period. How can I even go to school like this? Will makeup even cover these wounds? But I can't stay here with him. I put on as much makeup that will possibly cover up the evidence of an abusive father.

The gash in my head- I can make up a story for that.
Black eye- not noticeable
Busted lip- lip gloss is a life saver.

I grab my keys and slide into my white Jeep that I had been working for since I was 10. Mom used to give me $70 every birthday I had since I was 5 when I didn't even know what money was. Then I got a job and saved up for it until now, junior year of high school. I miss mom. Well now she's on my mind so I decide to go visit her.

I stop the car and walk out to find her. I look down: Jones, Taylor, Wilson, Moore and oh there, Cornelia Elizabeth Matthews. I sit down and stare at the grey tombstone halfway buried in the ground. "In loving memory: 1973-2004".

"Mom it's me." I start off by saying. "It happened again, another incident. It's pretty bad this time but I barely feel the pain, besides a headache, I'm so used to it now. But it's gotten worse. I know you're watching down on me. You've seen what he does to me. Why? What have I done that is so wrong?" A hot tear slips from my eye. I hastily wipe it away. Don't ruin the makeup. I can't go into school like that. After I finish talking to mom I say my good byes and leave for school.

..........

Rosemont High School, home of the Wolverines. I check in and the bell rings announcing that 2nd period has come to an end. I find my locker in the midst of the stampede of people.

"Hey babe. " A voice calls behind me. I turn around.

"Hey." I fake a smile for him. It's Trey. My boyfriend.

Here's a little background on Trey:
~He is tall and nice looking with really big brown eyes and a buff figure. He is a sports addict playing almost every single one the school offers. And, oh yeah, I caught him in bed with another girl... at my own house. So why are we still together you ask? Well the answer is simple... I have no idea. Of course I didn't believe any of his "it's not what it looks like." "Bethany I love you not her". "Please forgive me." bullshit. But somehow here we are, together, dating. I guess it's because I need a man in my life. Someone who somewhat cares for me, even though I know Trey doesn't. But he's better than my father and that's all that matters. Wow my standards are screwed up.~

"Have you been here all day?" Trey asks.

"No just got here."

"Oh. Are you okay?" He looks somewhat concerned. Wow. Lucky me.

"Yeah I'm fine. " Obviously I'm not.

"Okay good. Well I expect to see you at the football game tonight and some guys and I are going to Tavern's tonight to eat afterwards so you're coming too. Deal?"

"Yeah I'll be there." Truth is he doesn't actually want me there. He just wants all if his friends to see him with me. He wants to prove he can actually maintain a "steady" two-year relationship. Yes I said two-years. That's how long I've been with the bastard.

"Alright well I gotta go I'll see you tonight." He gives me a meaningless, quick kiss on the forehead and walks off. Are you serious? He didn't notice the huge gash in my forehead? Wow he must really not care about me.

I turn around and proceed to my next class, AP World History. I look down hoping no one will notice my forehead and I reach in my bag for my phone. Before I know it I run into something, someone. My hand instinctively pushes against their stomach.... their rock hard stomach I might add. I look up

"My bad." I said.

"No you're good. Shoulda watched where I was going." It's Wesley. Trey's friend.

Some Background on Wesley:
~ Wesley is tall and extremely handsome with brown hair and crystal blue eyes. And obviously a buff figure as well. He and I have known each other since 6th grade. But we've really only been mutual friends. Still he's a cool guy. ~

"Oh hey! Bethany?" He grabbed my shoulders and looked me in the eye. Somehow it felt like he saw straight through me, like he could see all of my secrets. Woah..

"Yeah it's me" a smile tugs at my lips.

"Hey what happened to your forehead?" He looked concerned. Wow so Trey really just must have not been paying attention to me at all.

"Oh.. I.. uh" oh shit I need a lie. What's a good lie? Ummm. "I got in a car accident when I was staying with my friend in Missouri." Good one Bethany. You idiot he's not going to believe that.

"Oh my gosh I am so sorry. Are you okay? Sore or anything?" Wow he bought it!

"Oh I'm good. Just a few scars. Honestly I was hoping no one would notice my forehead haha. Hoping the makeup would have covered it up." I admit.

"Oh well let's pretend I never saw it." he winked and a smirk covered his face. I couldn't help but smile with him. "Alright I gotta get to class but, hey, are you going to the football game tonight?"

"Of course! Trey will be there won't he?" I joke.

"Yes he will." He chuckled. "Well look for me. I'm number 17."

"Will do!"

"Alright! Sweet see ya." we disperse.

.... School went by really quickly I came home and walk to the front door. Oh god please let him still be passed out. Please don't be awake. My shaking hands grab the door knob and turn it to open the door. I'm as quiet as I can possibly be. I look in the living room and there he is. Still. Passed out. With the vodka. What else is new? Thank The Lord he isn't awake. I go straight to my room and lock the door.

I'd turn on music but I don't want to wake him so I look for an outfit for tonight in silence. Let's see it's the middle of October and it is hot here in California so I grab some distressed high-waisted shorts, and I blue tshirt to tuck in. I put on my white nike socks and black hightop converse. I decide to leave my hair down and I curl it just a little to where I have some waves. Alright that'll do. I grab my wallet and phone and head back out the door.