The Simple Things

1

This is a background chapter
10 years ago...
Alexandra's POV:
"I am done with your attitude young lady." Dad slaps me across the face before shoving my face into the bathtub full of cold water.
I start sobbing under the water. Dad yanks me out of the tub, throwing me onto the cold tile floor. He kicks me a few times before leaving the room. I get to my feet. I exit the bathroom and go to my bedroom. I pack my things. I slip into my younger sister Maya's room and see her sleeping. She's only 2 years younger than me. I press a gentle kiss to her forehead. She stirs
"Lexi?" She whispers
"Hey sis. I have to go. I'm really sorry. I love you. One day, we'll see each other again." I murmur before standing up and leaving her room.
I go to my room and grab my things. I choose not to say goodbye to Mason and quietly go downstairs. I see my dad has fallen asleep on the couch so I sneak out the front door. I slowly and painfully make my way down the road. I soon make it to a bus stop and get on the next bus. I fall asleep.
A few hours later...
When I wake, it's daylight. The bus stops at a stop and I get off. I don't recognise the location. This isn't Seattle? Is it? I wander around. I stop when a police car pull up beside me. The window rolls down.
"Hey sweetheart. Can you come here?" The lady calls
I go over, "yes?"
"You're a scrawny looking thing aren't you? Do you know where you are?" She asks
"No. I'm from Seattle." I reply
"Seattle? Honey, this is LA. What's your name?" The lady opens her door and hops out.
"I'm Alexandra. Most people call me Lexi. Please don't send me home." I start to cry, "I'm 15."
"Oh sweetie, when's the last time you ate? My name is Athena." She questions
"I don't know. I'm really hungry. Dad says I need to lose weight." I sob
"Is he who did this to you?" She gestures to the marks on my face.
I nod.
"Alright, I'm going to go and get you some food. Then we're going to go see my friend Henrietta. She can fix you right up." Athena smiles, "hop in."
"Okay." I mumble quietly before going to the other side of the car and hopping in.
She drives us to a fast food place and orders some food. We get it and she passes some to me.
"It's nachos," Athena exclaims
My face lights up, "it's my favourite,"
"Oh is it now?" Athena chuckles, "go on, eat it."
I start eating it happily. Athena drives us to a fire station. Athena and I get out and we go inside. A woman sees us.
"Thena, hey. And who's this cutie?" The woman asks
"Hey Hen. This is Alexandra. She's hurt, can you fix her up?" Athena explains
"Sure can. Hey there Alexandra. I'm Henrietta. Call me Hen." She smiles, "come on."
"Athena, can you come with?" I grab onto her jacket.
"Sure." Athena and I follow Hen.
We go to an ambulance and go inside. She cleans up my face.
"Anywhere else?" Hen asks
I pull up my shirt, revealing the bruises that litter my torso.
"Ooh, this one here looks nasty." Hen gently presses a finger to my side
I yelp in pain.
"That hurts." I cry
"I think it might be cracked. Does it hurt to breathe?" Hen asks
I nod.
"Might be broken actually. We need to get you to a hospital." Hen replies
"I can take her." Athena tells Hen
"Great. Hope to see you doing better soon Alexandra." Hen smiles sweetly
I get out of the ambulance after Athena and get into her car. We go to the hospital. I get checked out and after a few hours, am discharged. Athena came in after she said she had a few phone calls to make.
"Hey there Lexi. So, would you like to come and stay with me, my husband Michael, and our daughter, May?" Athena asks
I nod. She helps me off the bed and we leave. Athena takes us to the station and then we get into a different car and she takes us to a house. We get out. Athena gets my things. We go inside. A man and a little girl greet us.
"Hey there, you must be Lexi." The man exclaims, "I'm Michael, this is May."
"Hi. Are you my new friend?" May asks
"I can be your friend." I chuckle before wincing
"Alright Lexi, let's get you resting." Athena guides me to a room and helps me lay down.
"Thanks Athena." I smile
"Your welcome Sunshine." Athena replies, "so, the doctor said your ribs will take a few weeks to heal, and a week of bed rest. So I'll look at getting you into a local school alright?"
"Alright." I nod
"Alright. Um, do you have a phone?" She asks
"Yeah." I get it from my pants pocket.
I turn it on and see a message and a missed call from Maya. I check the message first.
Hey Lexi,
Dad told me you left us? How could you? How could you just leave me! Will you ever come home?

I tear up at the message.
"You alright sunshine?" Athena asks
"Yeah. Just my little sister. Is it alright if I try to call her?" I ask
"Of course. You call if you need anything." Athena leaves the room.
I call Maya. She answers
"Lexi?" She asks
"Hey Maya." I greet her
"Why'd you leave?" She asks
"Because, I couldn't stay any longer." I tell her, "I'm so sorry M."
"It's okay, why didn't you take me?" She cries, "where even are you?"
"Because you have everything there. They care about you. Your training. Everything. I love you so much Maya." I exclaim, "I'm in LA."
"Who are you staying with?" Maya asks
"A really kind cop lady. Her name's Athena. Her husband Michael and their 5 year old daughter May." I tell her
"Cool. I miss you but I have to go. Dad wants me to go running." Maya tells me
"Alright. Love you sis." I sigh
"Love you too." Maya ends the call.
I out my phone away and decide to take a nap.