MY EYES FLUTTERED open as I felt someone gently shove me.
I groggily opened my eyes and looked up to see Victoria looking at me, her face slightly annoyed. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back, her light blue eyes narrowed on me. Her lips were pursed in a thin line as she stared down at me. I looked back up at her before I felt scrutinised under her gaze and looked away.
"The bell rang." She informed me shortly before turning on her heel and walking off not even giving me a chance to thank her. Although I was surprised she even woke me up at all, normally people here kept a ten feet distance from me if possible.
I sighed and slowly stood up, grabbing my books, clutching them close to my small body. Every muscle in my body ached and protested with each step I took. It was taking nearly all my energy just to keep myself upright.
I stepped outside the classroom, noticing all the students crowding the hallways to get their books for their next few classes. It was lunch time now, and I trudged outside, the warm sun beating down on me. I always got my books before class, in stead of during lunch since the halls were always crowded and people usually ended up being shoved into me which hurt.
I squinted as the sun shone harshly in my eyes, but I simply didn't have the energy to lift my had to cover my face. I ate at my normal spot for lunch, outside, behind a tree. No one came here, most people sat inside in the cafeteria but I always felt extremely awkward in there, having no one to sit beside, so I decided to eat outside where no one could bother me.
Years ago, I had a few friends and we would all sit out here in a circle, sharing stupid girly gossip. I smiled as I remembered those fun days. However those new friendships didn't last very long. They went as quickly as they came.
I sighed and took a small bite out of my apple that I stole off the kitchen table. I knew John would probably notice; he always did somehow and I knew would get a beating for this later but I was starving and I needed some bit of energy or I would faint.
My stomach was killing me and my headache was still there as a reminder from this morning. I lifted my hand and massaged my temple lightly but it didn't really help. I relaxed against the tree, basking in the warm sunlight. I closed my eyes, listening to the sweet chirping of the birds. The warm breeze brushed over me and I found myself at ease. It was one of the few times where I truly felt relaxed and tranquil.
However, I was soon interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. My eyes snapped open quickly as I jumped, my heart racing. I looked up, locking my eyes with the person in front of me. Warm and open brown eyes stared back at me and I frowned as they stood there. I didn't recognize the boy standing there, his hands stuffed in his jean pockets. He had freckles scattered all over his tanned face. His broad shoulders and bulging muscles indicated he was strong and liked to work out often. He had quite an angular face, making him look probably slightly older than he actually was. His big build instinctively made me inch away and left me feeling wary.
"Can I help you?" I asked softly when he didn't speak at first.
The boy finally smiled kindly at me and pointed beside me, "Can I sit with you?"
I frowned slightly. A million thoughts and insecurites ran through my mind. Why did he want to sit next to me? Didn't he realize who I was? I stared at him confusingly as he stood there, waiting patiently for my answer. After a few moments, I slowly nodded my head. I moved to the side making some room for him.
Hopefully John wouldn't find out, although having a friend for one day wouldn't hurt.
The boy grinned brightly at me before gently sitting down across from me, crossing his legs. He pulled open his brown paper bag that he had been clutching in his hand.
"Thank God," He said, smiling. "I'm kind of new and I didn't know anyone, but at the same time I didn't want to sit inside because there's just so many people in there so I came out here and saw you." My eyebrows raised a little bit at how quickly he spoke. He had a deep voice, but he had a friendly face that made talking to him seem easy and welcoming.
"Right. . ." I said quietly, averting my eyes. My body was on edge, even though I was nearly certain he wouldn't do anything to me.
Suddenly, he held out his hand and I flinched in surprise before he looked at me apologetically. "I'm Daniel." He said brightly. "Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable," He frowned, furrowing his brows. "I can leave if you want me to -"
I gave him a minuscule smile as I felt shy around him. "No, it's okay," I placed my hand in his and shook it gently.
"I'm Anastasia," I mumbled, picking at the grass.
"That's a nice name," He complimented. "My name is so boring," He groaned and opened his foiled sandwich, taking a bite. "I haven't met anyone called Anastasia before."
I quickly learnt that Daniel was talkative. He spent most of the lunch chatting away to me, although I didn't contribute much to the basically one sided conversation. However, it was a nice change for once to have someone to have lunch with. He didn't seem to mind as he chatted on, telling me about his old friends, family, hobbies. . I noticed he often got sidetracked, like when talking about one topic he could easily get distracted and start on a another topic. While he did speak a lot, I didn't mind. It was different, but a good kind of different.
I noticed him staring at my face, so I tugged at the edges of my sleeves slightly and covered the side of my face where I had a bruise. I was wearing a lot of makeup but still, I wasn't taking any chances, in case it wore off during the day. I had cheap makeup which wore down easily throughout the day. I didn't think he noticed anything on my face because I had covered it well this morning.
"Why are you sitting here?" I asked curiously, as Daniel finally stopped talking to scoff down his lunch.
He ran his fingers through his soft looking brown hair and shrugged, "You looked lonely." He said, "And besides, you don't look like a bitch like half of the people inside." He snorted and then after a moment he quickly added, "No offense to them, or anything."
I peered up at him, squinting. Was he naturally this nice and talkative to people he didn't know? It baffled me. He baffled me.
"What's your surname?" He asked after a moment of silence.
I looked at him. Why did he want to know? I was naturally paranoid but I shook the feeling away and answered him. "Montez," I mumbled. I took another bite from my apple and looked away again.
His eyebrows rose. "Your father wouldn't be -"
"John Montez from the Montez Association?" I finished bitterly but cleared my throat when he shot me a strange look.
"Yeah," He replied, "Sorry, it's just my parents worked with your father for some time this year. They wouldn't shut up about how nice he was," He said smiling. I let out a light snort but Daniel didn't hear. It was surprising to heart John actually being nice to someone, but then again I knew that this was a part of his façade. He tricked people and had them believe he was one thing when he was clearly the other. It made me feel sick when I heard the nightly conversations with his friends, bragging about how he tricked another couple into giving him more money. He cheated so many innocent and naive people just to earn more money, even though he was filthy rich himself.
"Do you sit here everyday by yourself?" He asked, looking at me with interest.
I shrugged weakly. "I guess," I replied, "I like the quietness,"
He nodded his head in acknowledgement. "Would you mind if I sat here tomorrow then?"
I looked at him with curiosity. "You want to sit with me again?" I asked him quietly, disbelivingly.
Although, I knew by tomorrow he would probably hear all the horrible things that were said about me and rethink his decision.
"Of course," Daniel grinned, showing off his white teeth. "I like sitting here with you. It's very relaxing." He noted.
I frowned at him but shrugged. "If you want to then sure," I mumbled, still quite not understanding.
I noticed the pain in my stomach had decreased a lot, and my head felt a lot clearer. It was in that moment that I heard the loud shrill of the bell and I sighed.
"Is lunch over already?" Daniel asked, looking annoyed. "That was barely ten minutes,"
My lips twitched. "It's been nearly half an hour Daniel."
He playfully rolled his eyes. "Pfft. Yeah right."
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear timidly. I felt more at ease around him. He let out a calming aura and I got the feeling he wasn't someone who was a threat to me. Although, I had only spoken with him for a while so I still had some reservations about him.
Daniel let out a dramatic sigh, shrugging. "Let's go then."
He stood up next to me and I stared at him. He stopped walking when he noticed I wasn't beside him.
"Do you not have class?" He asked, cocking his head to one side.
"I. . ." I stuttered, looking away from his inquisitive stare. I swallowed thickly. "You shouldn't be seen with me in there." I said quietly, nodding my head towards the school.
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
I averted my eyes. "I'm not exactly very well liked." I said quietly. "It'll be better for you if you're not seen with the schools freak." I muttered.
His brows furrowed as he took a step towards me. "You're not a freak Anastasia." He said sternly but I stopped him.
"Just listen to me Daniel." I said and sent him a small smile. "Thank you for sitting with me today." He opened his mouth to object but I shook my head at him. I turned, walking away. I knew that not only would he be subjected to the bullying I received but also, I knew that eventually John would find out about my potential new friend and like all the times before, I would have to break it off. It was easier this way for the both of us. I didn't want Daniel to become a victim of the horrible treatment I received on a daily basis, and while I had thoroughly enjoyed lunch today, it was a once off thing.
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SCHOOL WAS FINALLY over and I couldn't have been more glad. The day seemed to drag on slowly after lunch. The classes seemed longer than usual and I couldn't have been happier when I heard the familiar shrill of the bell, indicating school was over.
I sighed and softly thumped my head against my locker. I was so done with life. I opened my locker, shoving some of my books inside. I glanced at my watch. It was nearly four so I had enough time to get home before John and prepare his dinner. I shut my locker and I winced as I hauled my heavy bag over my shoulder and exited the school.
It was roughly a ten minute walk home and I speed walked to make it home earlier to make dinner for John. I threw my bag inside the door and despite my body's protests, I rushed into the kitchen and started preparing dinner. I started getting nervous and I felt nauseous as I decided to make pasta and some sauce with it. Everything had to be perfect, because I could not take another beating today.
Glancing at the clock, I knew he would be home soon. I quickly set out John's plate and popped open a cold beer for him. I took out a strainer, pouring the pasta out and quickly grabbed his plate, placing a decent sized amount out for him. I grabbed a big spoon and poured a generous amount of sauce on top and placed his plate on the table.
Suddenly, I heard the door slam open and my body immediately went into a panic-like state. I took a few calming breaths as the daunting sound of his heavy boots came closer and closer.
"Hey!" He roared. "My dinner better be ready!" He shouted and I jumped slightly. My heart started racing, and my body started trembling. I gripped the counter tightly, my knuckles turning white.
He finally came stomping into the kitchen, already glaring at me. His black suit was ironed to perfection and he roughly grabbed his tie, loosening it. His eyes slowly trailed over me and then at the food. The room fell silent as I held my breath, waiting for him to speak. My jaw started to tremble so I clenched my jaw hard, smiling myself to stop shaking.
"What. Is. This." He said lowly. His eyes narrowed dangerously and I could feel myself starting to panic. I knew that look in his eyes, it was one I had seen too often and I silently prayed in my head that he decided to leave me off today.
Please don't.
Not again.
"I-it's pasta Sir," I stuttered.
"I thought I said I wanted meat tonight?" He growled and started inching towards me. I started backing up, away from him. My eyes widened and I started pleading with him, "I-I'm sorry I can make some now-"
He raised a hand and roughly slapped me across the face, "It's too late now! I wanted my dinner now!"
The loud SMACK! of his hand against my cheek echoed through the small kitchen.
I fell to the floor, clutching my cheek. My eyes brimmed with tears. I began whimpering and covering my head when John started circling around me like I was the prey, and he was the predator getting ready to pounce.
Suddenly, without warning, a foot slammed into my side and I cried out in pain, "Why can't you do ANYTHING right?!" His loud voice filled the small kitchen as I curled into a ball, in an attempt to protect myself.
I couldn't reply as he kept hitting me with his boot. The pointed tip hitting my ribs. The pain was nearly unbearable, and I couldn't stop crying. "Please stop!" I cried, pleading with him. "You're hurting me, please!" But he wouldn't listen. He was in a drunken rage. He dragged me up by my hair and threw me on the floor of the kitchen. I let out a whimper when my back slammed into a handle of a press. My scalp ached as I tried to massage it.
John marched towards me, his eyes blazing, "You good for nothing bitch," he hissed. He stared at me for a moment, his eyes raking over me as I looked up at him from the floor. He seemed to falter for a moment as he took in my bloodied form. He froze for a second his hand mid air ready to hit me again. Slowly, he lowered his hand. He blinked quickly a few times, before he finally backed away from me and glared down at me.
"When I get back I want this house sparkling and my dinner on the table," He hissed and I nodded frantically. He sneered at me before he turned away from me then and left the house. He slammed the door behind him and I finally started crying. My body shook violently as I placed my face in my hands.
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Weakly, I pushed myself upright, bits blood all over my hands and top. I sniffled, clutching the counter to steady myself. I hauled myself over to the bathroom, flipping the light on with my elbow. I grimaced at the sight of me. My hair was a mess and knotted. My face looked drawn as tear stains were evident. The top corner of my top was a little ripped. A large handprint was printed across my right cheek.
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I sighed and turned on the tap, tying up my hair in a bun. I splashed my face with water, relishing in the cooling sensation. I peeled off my dirty top and pulled on an oversized clean white one. I washed my hands clea before exiting the bathroom.
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The house was eerily silent again. I walked slowly back into the kitchen, my eyes taking in the disaster that had occurred. I sighed as I saw the plate of the food that had fallen from the table. The shards of glass were all over the floor, the pasta and sauce plastered all over the floor.
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Carefully, I opened press and began sweeping up the pieces of glass, avoiding stepping on any pieces. I swept them up, dumping them in the bin before cleaning up the food.
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I scrubbed the blood stains from the floor and within half an hour, you would never guess what had happened here.
If only it was that easy to forget
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