Shades of Imperfection.

XI

       I dunno why I keep forgetting to update 🫠it's a double update guys! Just scroll to the next page when you're done with this one. Take it as an apology for the late chapter.😗❤️

~ Denise's point of view~

        Aaliyah Clxxx:

        Party's at six!

        You'll be there, right?

Seen.

        I sighed, rolling over on my bed and staring at the ceiling. I glanced at my phone and re-read the text message.

        Should I go to the party?

        I mean, I do need the distraction.

        I picked up my phone and sent a quick reply telling her I'd be there. Not less than a minute later she sent a sticker of a cat dancing on a pole. That made me smile. I stared at my screen longer and watched the cat dance and I giggled.

        Partying wouldn't be that bad.

        My stomach grumbled loudly and I lazily got myself out of my bed to get myself something to eat.

        2:15pm

        I wasn't sure if Dad would be home at this time or not. Part of me wished he wasn't.

        I made my way towards the kitchen and poured myself some cornflakes and milk and boiled water to mix it. I sat down in the dining and ate whilst scrolling through my TikTok. I had sixteen new followers and a hundred new likes on my new dance challenge with Summerein and I smiled at that. The sound of glass slippers on tiles made my look up and I frowned automatically.

        "What the hell happened to your face." I whisper yelled, still not sure if my father was home or not. I couldn't take any risk.

        "It's nothing dear. Your father was a little annoyed yesterday and it was my fault anyway-" I scoffed at my mother's poor excuses to defend my father's aggressiveness.

        He was a woman beater, period! I knew this, she knew this too. Then why the hell did she still cover for him? I wasn't not freaking ten any more!

        "Mom," I lowered my voice, staring at the bruises on her face with sadness. "Please. Please leave him."

        "Denise-"

        "He's going to kill you if you keep letting him. Please!"

        Mother shook her head and gave me a sad smile. " I can't leave your father, Denise. I love him, and he loves me too. He has a short temper, it's not his fault-"

        "Unbelievable!" I exclaimed, pushing my chair back and rising to my feet. I picked up my bowl and hugged it to my chest. " This isn't love, mom. This is toxicity of the highest order. And if this is love? then I'd rather die alone, single, and in a house filled with 25 dogs." Mom pursed her lips, looking surprised by my outburst. I hurrumped, and stormed back upstairs to my bedroom.