"Don't make me get the belt, Monique!" Papa yelled, pulling out the leather, tattered belt.
Monique stood there motionless, staring at papa with her big pretty eyes. The sun shone on her, and she seemed to sparkle like a star in the night sky.
I waited for something bad to happen, hiding behind the bush on the side of our house, my legs shaking. There was a chill in the air, and I held myself, my arms wrapping me and keeping me warm- a little.
Monique finally made an effort to show life, and shook her head. "No. No, papa, no!"
I saw the tears coming now. They were filling up in those bright eyes, and one plopped down on her left cheek. I watched it roll.
"Don't cry.." I whispered, and sniffled. I always hated Monique. I hated every inch of her. Only because I was jealous.. and mostly, I feel bad.
"Daddy, why can't you just understand me for once? Please!" Monique whimpered.
"I understand you quite well, young lady.." papa replied, and gripped the belt tighter than before. I wanted to smack it from his hands.
"Then understand why I'm doing this.. why I'm doing this for my happiness!" Monique said. She sighed.
I hated seeing her get scolded on, especially by papa. He could be the meanest snake in the world.
"I will not have y'all girls fooling around with some stupid boys!" Papa yelled. The belt curled in his hand now, and he rose it before Monique. I covered my eyes, and heard a smack.
I fluttered my eyes open instantly after hearing the cries and whimpers of my sister, and wanted to start crying.. Monique was sitting down on the ground, covering her face. Papa didn't look the slightest bit sorry.
I watched as papa stormed off.
I quickly ran to Monique, and sat by her.
"Hope that didn't hurt too bad.. you alright?" I ask.
Monique sniffled, and lifted her head up. "No. I'm not alright, Georgia. I want to run away!"
I looked down. "You don't mean that-"
"I do! I'm sure you do, too! Right?" She replied.
I shrugged. "I dunno. What about momma?"
"Don't you want to live your life? Instead of living this hell?" She argued.
"I guess so." I reply.
"Then someday we should run.. I'm so sick of him hurting me." She said.
"What'd you do, anyways?" I ask. I picked up a stick and started tracing my name in the dirt.
Monique shrugged, with a sigh. "Went out with a boy."
"Wait, really?" I ask.
"It's no big deal.. he's nice to me!" Monique answered, quickly.
"Sure.. I mean, what's the problem?" I ask.
The problem was everything.
"Nothing. Absolutely nothin!" She replied, and a tear rolled down her cheek again.
"Okay, Okay.. stop crying. Please." I say. I put my arm around her.
Monique sighed, and laid her head on my shoulder. "Thanks Georgia. You're like my only friend.."
I looked at her. "You have friends, you lying."
"No, not anymore.. they don't like me." She replied. She looked down.
Monique's hand gripped mine tightly. She sniffles a few times.
Who hurted her?
Besides Papa?
"I like you, even though you're annoying with you're teenage stuff.." I say. I smile. It was true.
"You guys hate me. You want me to leave as soon as possible." She said.
"Now, I never said that.." I say.
We argue easily.
"Oh really? I don't need you to tell me." She said, and shoved my hand off of her.
"Monique, calm down.." I say.
"No! Maybe I'm in a bad mood.. leave me alone, okay?" She said, and got up.
"Monique!" I say.
She stopped walking, and turned around. I could see hurt in her eyes. Like an innocent puppy.
"I'm real sorry." I say. I look down.
Monique stood there for a little bit, and then nodded. "Thanks," and walked away.
I looked at the sunshine, in the calm sky. I always look there when I need someone to talk to.
