To heal a broken heart

Chapter 5

~Holly's POV~

The rest of the day went relatively well. Chelsea slightly limped the rest of it, making the hurt in my chest flare up every time I saw her knowing what was the cause of it. Nick didn't show up, therefore I didn't get a beating. It seemed as if the universe wanted to outweigh the pain in my chest by sparing me my usual tormenting.

At lunch I managed to get away with only eating an apple, saying I already ate between the lessons because I was that hungry. Believable, coming from a whale like me, I figured.

Arriving at home later on, my parents weren't there as usual, so I directly made my way to my room and started with homework. Only in the evening I finally hear the front door opening and mom and dad entering.

I'm not sure how to act around them now, especially my mother, but I figure, I'd just greet them like always.

"Hey guys", I try and put a happy smile on after going down the stairs. My mom ignores me, while my dad looks up angrily.

"You didn't wake us up in time! We were late for work because of you! Do you want to get us fired?! Is that what the fuck you want?!", he burst out in anger.

I shrink back from him as he stalks up to me with sudden aggression.

"I'm sorry, I- I only saw when I woke up myself", I answer with a small voice.

"Pah!", he snorts. "You're just an ungrateful brat, that happened to break the fucking condom!"

I flinch at his words. They feel like he just slapped me. Just like when mom hit me in the morning.

"What? Are you going to cry now?!"

"W- What?", I question silently. My voice already wobbles noticeably. My dad only snorts and suddenly raises his hand, punching me in the chest. Pain flares up in me, my scream echoes through the room.

"Here you have something to cry over, don't be such a little pussy! We didn't raise you like that! At least make yourself useful and make some fucking dinner!"

When he finally backs off I notice my mom standing next to us, a bored look on her face.

"Hurry up, we don't have all day. I'm hungry for fuck's sake!", she spits in my face, shoving me to the kitchen. I stumble forwards, hitting my hurt ankle on the kitchen door and biting my lip to not cry out again.

I deserved that, they're right. I should've known they had a rough day at work after this morning. Why didn't I prepare dinner for them in advance?

Ignoring the pain in my chest, I start to get out some ingredients and proceed to make steak with potatoes and vegetables on the side. It's my dad's favorite and I hope it makes up for my past mistakes.

"Holly! Where's the fucking food?!", my mom's voice echoes through the house and I hurry to prepare two plates for them. Rushing into the living room, I see them lounging on the couch.

"I'm sorry, here you go", I mumble lowly, intimidated by their actions.

After they tested if it tastes good, they let me go up to my room. I collapse on my bed, spreading out my tired limbs in every direction.

Why am I even here anymore? Even my parents hate me now.

Following the dark vortex of my thoughts I find myself in the bathroom, blade in my hand, fresh cuts on my arm. I reopened the ones I made yesterday, while adding two new ones as well. One for each of my parents hitting me.

The next day is a Saturday. I usually like them, but this time I just feel numb once again. I don't do anything, only text Juli a few times, but she's busy with her parents renovating a part of their mansion that includes her room as well.

I try to avoid my parents and stay in my room. I only sneak in some fruit to eat at least a little bit since it feels like my stomach kinda digests itself by now. I didn't eat a full meal in two days, only getting a small snack here and there. Nothing more than an apple tho.

On Sunday I decide to sneak out a bit and go to the park, wandering through the slight breeze and the spring sun warming up my face. I just couldn't sit in my room anymore, as much as I love reading and doing nothing.

Walking next to the lake they created through the whole park, I spot some guys around my age near some ping-pong tables. I'm already walking for at least twenty minutes, but they catch my eye by seeming weirdly dangerous. I don't know what it is, since they don't look any different than other young adults, despite their dark style perhaps, but something about them makes my stomach churn.

I walk faster when I'm about to pass them, only for one of them to notice me anyways.

"Ayo, fatty! Walk faster, you can use it!", he yells at me and I feel myself flush in embarrassment.

He's right, I should start working out.

"Bruh, don't rub it in her face, she could be some juicy snack", I hear behind me and my eyes widen at that.

"What? What do you want with some pig like that, Aiden?!", another one adds. I swiftly walk out of there, trying to forget their creepy comments. Why can't I have just one day in peace? Without anything haunting my mind?

After all that I directly walk home. I don't want to risk another encounter with anyone, so I just flee to my room, avoiding my parents once more. They're lounging in the living room anyways. I don't even know if they ever left it for the last day or two.

Falling onto my bed, I just close my eyes, trying to forget everything.

That is, until my phone beeps.