" Take that you dork", the popular kid says as he shoves me down onto the heater vent causing my cheek to bleed. I sniffle up realizing my nose is bleeding down my face. Being beat up by these kids has become a routine. Ever since I've started school here it's been constant. I look up slowly expecting to see a fist but instead,
" Leave her alone Jason."
Could it be? I look over. Alex . The 2nd most popular kid in our school.
" What the hell Alex have you gone soft?," says Brendan.
" No the teacher was gonna catch you," he replies.
There goes my hope.
" Oh CRAP thanks bro," says Brendan slapping Alex on the back.
Brendan walks away. Alex walks over and extends a hand, I don't know what to do. I reach out and he helps me stand.
I wonder why he would do that , I'm not a big deal around here they never even notice me when they aren't beating me up.
"Are you gonna answer orrr..."
I look up shocked.
"W-what?"
" Nervous much," he laughs, " I said what's your name?"
" U-ummm, umm , umm..."
" Look I'm sorry I didn't know it was a hard question," he grins.
He turns his head and I decide to tell him.
" Scarlet..."
"Scarlet?"
" Y-yeah..." I mumble out.
"Hi Scarlet I'm Alex and we will soon be friends."
What? Me? Him? Friends?
This is definitely weird.
----------------------------------
I hold the razor blade as it lingers above my arm. I consider. I throw it down and walk out. I couldn't self harm. It's crazy to even imagine. Suddenly the door bell rings.
" I've got it mum,"
" The HELL you do. You think I'm gonna get up?! Now go get the door you ungrateful brat."
I sigh. My daily life for you.
I open the door and my mouth drops open. There on my porch is Alex looking at his phone. He looks up at me and smiles.
" Hey Scar."
"S-sh-scar?" I mumble out.
" What you've never had a nickname before," he says surprised.
" N-no."
"Well now you do," he laughs.
"Scarlet you little piece of trash close my door before I put you on the streets," my mom yells from the other room.
Alex steps in and I can't help but wish he hadn't. Now I have to deal with my mom. Alex looks extremely confused about my mom. Everyone in school thinks I have a hotshot mom who's in NYC for business.
" Sorry, Mom," I nervously say.
" Whatever," she groans back. She's drunk.
I wave Alex into my room and he follows quietly still confused. I really don't want to explain to him but I don't have much of a choice. I sigh ready.
" Scarlet!"
Damn. It's my older sister.
" What Hannah?"
" Can I come in?"
Damn. Alex is sitting on my bed.
" Ummm nobody's home?!"
" Scarlet open your door," she laughs lightly.
I sigh in defeat as I open the door. Hannah steps in and sees Alex her face goes from shock to a smirk. I whip the door closed behind her.
" He's just a friend Miha," I say. Miha is my nickname for her.
" I see," she giggles.
" What is it Miha..." I start but I cut myself off as I see the red bleeding gash on her cheek. " Miha..."
" It's fine Niña," she lies " Mom didn't mean it."
That witch. I look over at Alex and he looks like he's full of rage. Why?
" She hit you?!"
Alex is furious.
" Alex..." I start but I'm cut off.
" Niña tell the boy the truth."
I look up at my older sister and the look in her eyes is sincere.
" Well... ummm... yes," I manage out.
" Scar..," he says almost in tears.
Why would he care?
" Scar," Hannah questions.
" It's his umm n-nickname for me," I stutter out still angry at Mom.
" Anyway Niña can I hang with you guys," She sounds scared I'll say no and make her go downstairs and suddenly I feel bad.
" Yeah anytime Miha now I'm gonna sneak down and grab some juice do you two want any?"
I almost forgot Alex was even here but when I look over he has clenched fists and a look like he's about to cry. I was about to comfort him but Hannah was on that. She stroked his hair away from his face and rubbed away a tear. Ugh I love her but she's such a flirt. I guess she's never going to stop because she's only 1 year older than me so considering Alex is too she's got a chance. She's pretty too, red hair and almost clear eyes but they're a beautiful light blue. Unlike me with my straight red hair and greenish eyes. I'm about to cry so I turn around to go get myself a juice.
" Hey um Scar I can go with you if you want..'" Alex manages out.
What? Did he actually just offer to go downstairs? Wait I'm being ridiculous. He's just being nice because he knows our mom hits us. He doesn't actually care about me.
" No thanks it's just juice. Plus Hannah won't bite. Unless you say the wrong thing."
I can't help but lightly laugh at the biting remark because it turned Hannah's cheeks pink.
I hop down the stairs hoping not to see my parents. I turn the corner to see my father sitting at the kitchen table. Normally I wouldn't worry but he's drunk too and it seems like one of their worse days. I quietly move over to the juice cupboard when he whips around staring at me.
" SCARLET ELIZABETH MATTHEWS WHAT IS THE RULE ABOUT JUICE IN THIS HOUSE?!"
His voice makes me want to cry but he'll just be mad with my weakness.
" That its strictly a beverage for those who deserve it sir and I'm unworthy due to the fact it's only you and mother."
I can't help but hear Hannah cry. She knows what's about to happen to me. The punishment for breaking a rule is a whipping.
