Reputation: Seen Differently (Book #1)

• Part. 27 • ~ "Why?" ~

"Please stop. Dad, please." Kate begs

I hear Andrew laugh and Kate sobs. I open my eyes but my sight was blurry. My head was hurting like never before. I see my dad above me and he starts choking me. I gasp and try to reach for his hand but with his other he grabs my wrist and pins them above me. My feet kick as my breath starts cutting off more and my lungs feel heavy. He continues choking me for five minutes until, my eyes close and I black out.

~~~~~~~~~

My eyes slowly start to open when I hear someone calling me.

"Ale, Ale. Ale, come on. Please wake up, Luca would lose it if he finds out. Alessia, please."

I open my eyes fully and she Kate breath in relief. She pushes a hair strand behind my ear softly. The whole room was dark, the only light was the moonlight shining through the white curtains. My whole body was aching, the pain was unbearable.

"I'm so sorry. How do you feel?"

"I'm fine. Help me up." I say giving her my hand.

She grabs it but I have no force to lift my body.

"Come on Kate! Pull me up."

Both of her hands wrap around mine and she pulls me up with all her strength. It only helps me enough for me to sit on the couch. She stares at me with pity and I roll my eyes. I stare at the floor looking at my blood and saliva.

"Are you okay?"

"Do I look okay?" I ask her

She stays silent and I lift my shirt, looking down at the dark purple bruises on my stomach. I lower my shirt down and breath in deeply.

It'll all be fine, hopefully. I don't even know if I'm going to school like this. Kate hands me some pills and a glass of water. Hesitantly, I grab them and take them. I wasn't sure how to feel or what to do about this, I can't even imagine how people would see me if they knew. What Luca would think if he knew.

~~~~~~

I wake up to the sunlight in my room. My body ached, my chest felt heavy and my face felt bloated. Yesterday after taking the pills, it took me about half an hour just to stand up and come to my room. I rub my eyes, trying to stay awake, the sunlight in the room burning my eyes. Knowing I had to get up was the only thing that kept me up, I had to put on clothes and get ready for school.

I groan and get off of my bed still sleepy. Flipping the light switch in my walk in closet, I scan for something comfortable and warm to wear. It surprised me to see the sunlight this morning after all New York has been cloudy and cold. I take out my grey sweatpants and a black long sleeve. I get dressed carefully and then walk into my bathroom. I open the faucet and wash my face, although it was difficult and painful. My head and face ached. My scalp even more. I grab my concealer and apply it over my face, covering my bruises. I grab a setting powder and blend it under my eyes. Just then, my room door opens. I take a look at who it is and my father is standing near my bed.

No more. I can't stand it. I won't let him. I'll kill him.

"You're not going to school today. I'll call and say you and Kate couldn't go because there was a family emergency. You're worthless and probably be useless at school today."

"Okay." I say fragely.

Fuck, I sound so pathetic. He walks out and after closing my door he calls me down. I stare at myself one last time in the mirror before walking down. Kate, Andrew and my father were already down. It was silent, too silent, it felt awkward walking into the room. They look up and Kate smiles at me but I don't find the strength to smile back. There was nothing about us that was normal, we weren't like typical loving families. No one ever knows what happens behind closed curtains and muffled cries.