Learning to Accept *Slow updates*

Chapter 1

“I am tired of you! You can’t even have supper done by five. Am I supposed to go to work all day and cook when I get home?” My father yelled, red in the face. He had just gotten home from work.

I hid behind the kitchen bar watching my parents argue. I had never seen them fight, they had always waited until after I have gone to bed, however, they still kept me awake at night. My eyes widened when my dad threw his glass across the room, glass shattered all over the kitchen. I bit my lip to hold the scream back when he slapped her across the face. My mom craddled her bright red cheek and softly cried..

“Jesus, Liz! Stop crying and make me my damn supper!” He shouted at her. My mom nodded and started to cook supper.

 I crawled into the hallway behind me, making sure no one heard me. Once it was safe I went into my room and closed the door. I knew they fought a lot, but I didn’t think he hit her. That night was the first time I saw my dad hit my mom, and when I started crying myself to sleep. I was  six.

“Kyla!!” Someone whispered while shaking me. When I opened my eyes I saw my best friend Emma.

“Emma, what do you want?” I was falling asleep in class a lot and it was beginning to affect my grades. Dreams of my childhood kept me up at night.

“You fell asleep, and Mr. U keeps looking over. I didn’t want you to get in trouble. Why were you sleeping anyway?”

I look around, Mr. U is watching me. When he turns away, I whispered quietly, “I didn’t sleep much last night. I had more dreams about my dad.”

Mr. U looked in my direction, as if my whisper had distracted him. But before he could speak, there was a knock on the door. Mr. Berry, the principal, walked in with a new student.

“I apologize for interrupting, but I would like to introduce you to our new student, Ethan Daniels.” Mr Berry surveyed the class and then nodded before exiting the room. “I will leave you guys to it then.”

As Mr. Berry left the room Ethan looked everyone over, just as Mr. Berry had. He stopped on Ria, the queen, looked her up and down and then moved on.

“Welcome Ethan, why don’t you go take a seat next to Kyla? Kyla will you please raise your hand?”

“Umm.. Sure.”

Ethan slid in the chair besides me and smiled, "Hey, I'm Ethan."

"I'm Kayla"

"Nice to meet you,"

I mumbled something back in response; I'm so exhausted.

I ignored him and tried to pay attention to class. Everyone starrd at me, making it hard to pay attention to Mr. U. I glared at all of them, hoping they will get the message and turn around. A loud sigh escaped my lips when they finally did. I tensed up when Ethan chuckled at my sigh. I can’t wait for this class to be over.

****

After the bell rings I hurry out of class before Ethan can talk to me. That boy gets on my nerves.

“Kyla, slow down. What’s up with you?” I heard Emma shouting behind me.

“Ethan. Ethan Daniels is whats wrong with me. He won’t leave me alone. I didn’t catch half of what Mr. U was teaching, and if I fail the test coming up I will be screwed.” I almost shouted at her. Before I could do that, I calmed myself down, I know it isn’t her fault, but I have to do something. I’m never this mad, never. I am not like my father.

“Wanna hang out today, you can talk to me.”

“Sorry Emma, but I have to go home. My mom needs my help. You know how it is.” My mom works when she can, and is taking college classes, all while taking care of me and my brother, Jace. I  started my car and listened to the radio until I pulled into the drive way where I noticed an unfamiliar car.

“Mom! I’m home.” I looked around after there was no answer.. My house is pretty big and there's a chance she's in the opposite end and didn’t here me.

“Mom! didn't you hear me say I was home?” I asked when I saw her laying on back patio. I nudged after a few minutes of silence.

Her eyes fluttered open, when she saw she smiled, “How are you sweetie?”

“I’m fine mom. Why are you out here? You never are.” I’m worried about her, she's acting different lately. I don't know if it's good or bad.

“Hun, sit down, I have to tell you something.”

"What is it mom?" I said neverously, we never have serious conversations.

"Well this might be hard for you, but you need to know. You deserve to know. Your father has been hiding something from the both of us. Honey, he's bisexual. I am sorry." A tear escaped my eyes when she said this. "Come here baby girl." She opend her arms for me.

I go to my mother and just let her hold me. I cried so hard I could barely breathe. Mom rubbed my back, letting me cry.

"Is that why he has nothing to do with me? With Jace? Is he too ashamed to admit the truth? All he has done since the divorce is hurt us. I hate him." I started crying harder again. I just wish I could stop, that this pain he has caused would just go away.

"I don't know, I just don't know. I love you hon, why don't you go on up to bed?"

"Okay, I will. Wait, mom, whose car is in the driveway?"

"Oh, it's Ethans, I believe he's a new student? Anyway, your brother and him are friends. I think he’s interested, he kept asking questions about you."

With a tear streaked face I walked back into the house.