Finding Anna

Chapter 1

Beep! Beep! Beep!

I smacked my alarm clock to shut it off. I regretted having to get up go to school. But I guess that's just the wonders of being a teenager.

I got up and looked through my closet to find something to wear. I decide on some light wash ripped skinny jeans, black, long sleeved, baggy sweater, black beanie, and some sneakers.

For make-up I put on foundation, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and some lip balm. I smile at my appearance and walk out of the bathroom. I walk down the hallway trying not to wake up my Dad. He gets mad when we wake him up.

Once downstairs, I say good morning to my little brother, Sam, and get some breakfast. After I get my cereal, I sit next to Sam at the table.

"I really don't want to go to school today, Anna." He tells me staring at the table. I look over at him confused.

"Why? Did something happen at school?" I ask him concerned. He stays silent and I get nervous.

"Sam?" I touch his arm and he flinches. I then take my hand away.

"Sam, what's wrong?" I ask him.

"There's these kids at school. They want me to join their group." He tells me quietly.

"What kind of group is it?" I ask finishing my cereal and putting my bowl in the sink.

"They beat up freshman. I'm not like that, Anna." He looks up at me nervously.

"I know you're not. Just don't join the group." I tell him.

"They told me if I don't then they'll beat me up, too." He says. I sigh not knowing what to tell him. I want to help him, but I don't know how.

"We'll talk about this later. We're going to be late." I said and walked out of the kitchen grabbing my bag and coat.

I got into my car on the drivers side and Sam got in on the passenger side. I buckled my seat belt and drove off to school.

Sam turned on the radio to break the awkward silence. I mentally thanked him for that.

Once we got to school, I parked my car as close to the building as possible. I then grabbed my bag and looked at Sam who was sitting staring ahead of him.

"You ready?" I asked him. He kept staring ahead.

"Ready as I'll ever be." He said and got out. I got out as well and locked the car. I sighed and walked up to the huge building.

I opened the doors and looked at everyone in the hallway. There was people laughing, people sitting on the floor, people throwing things at each other. Others were rushing to their first period even though we had twenty minutes until class actually started.

I said goodbye to Sam and went to my locker. I put my books inside and grabbed what I needed to first period.

I walked down the hallways and watched everyone do their own thing. I then walked past a bunch of populars and rolled my eyes at their obnoxious laughing. God they're annoying.

Once I got to first period, I sat down at my spot and started doodling in my journal. A few other students came in and sat at their spots, talking about the big party that some kid was holding tonight. Who parties on a Monday?

I choose to ignore them and keep doodling. The first bell rang as a warning that they had a few minutes until class starts. I rest my head on my hand, already wanting the day to end.

I look up and see everyone piling in. They all take their seats and the teacher walks in shortly after. I close my notebook and pay attention to what she has to say.

*LUNCH TIME*

I sit at my usual spot by the window and pull out my phone and earbuds. I hit play and Another Me by The Cab comes on. I sit and listen to music and chew on a piece of mint gum.

I don't like school lunches and I don't like packing my own either. Oh well, I'm not that hungry anyways. I look out the window just listening to my music in peace. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see someone sit down by me. I look to see who it was. Sam.

"Hey." I say taking one earbud out and smiling. He actually smiles back.

"Hey." He reply's and starts to eat.

"How was your day so far?" I ask him.

"Pretty good actually." He says with a small smile and stuffs his face full of food. I can't help but laugh at how much a pig he can be.

"Mine was pretty boring, but nothing bad happened which is good." I told him and he nodded.

"Let's just hope Dad's in a good mood when we get home." Sam says. I get shivers down my spine at the mention of our father.

"Fingers crossed." I tell him nervously.

*AFTER SCHOOL*

The bell rings for school to be over and I grab all my things and head to my locker. I put everything away, grab my homework and bag, then close my locker. I see Sam walking down the hall towards me. I smile and wait for him.

"Ready to go?" I ask him and he nods in reply. I walk out to my car with him by my side. I get in the drivers side and he gets in the passengers side. I start my car and back out of the parking space.

I'm sort of happy to go home, yet sort of not. Maybe Dad will be in a good mood tonight. Only one way to find out.

I pull into the driveway and grab my bag and keys. I then get out and walk up to the house. Once I open the door. I see my dad on the couch with liquor in his hand. Crap.

I slowly and quietly walk to the stairs with Sam close behind. I step on the wrong spot and the floor creeks, causing my Dad to look our way. Oh no.

"Why are you just standing there? Get in here now!" He yells annoyed. We quickly walk into the living room. He gestures for us to sit down and we do.

"What's going on, Dad?" Sam asks nervously. Dad raises his hand and slaps him across the face real hard. I gasp.

"Did I say you could speak, boy?!" He yells at Sam. I stand up and glare at him.

"What gives you the right to hit your own child?!" I yell at him. His eyes widen and he smacks me straight to the ground.

"How dare you speak to me like that young lady!" He yells and kicks me right in the stomach. I wince in pain and feel a tear slip from my eye. He then walks off drinking more of his alcohol.

"I'm so sorry, Anna." Sam cries out. I look at him weakly.

"It's not your fault, Sam." I say and just lay on the floor in pain crying.

Why did you have to leave us, Mom?

Why?