" Ash ? " I heard someone say knocking on the door. I wiped away my tears and pulled down my sleeves.
" ASHTON OPEN THE DAMN DOOR.!" I heard a guy yell.
I walked to the door and opened it. I saw my mom and my dad.
I can't believe I didn't recognize his annoying voice.
" What ? " I asked
" Are you okay ? " my mom said
" Why do you care ? " I asked
" Because your my baby girl. I need to talk to you. " she said
" YOU TOLD HER DIDNT YOU !" He screamed
" Told her what ? " I asked
" About Valerie ! " he yelled
" No. " I scoffed.
" DONT LIE TO ME ! " he screamed.
" WHY DO YOU CARE ?! YOU WERE JUST GONNA LEAVE US FOR THAT STUPID SLUT ANYWAYS ! " I screamed
" NO VALERIE LEFT ME ! " he screamed.
" And you expect me to be upset ? The stupid whore ruined this family." I said
" She only made it stronger baby girl." My mom said
" Yeah sure she did. When's the divorce ? " I asked
" We aren't getting a divorce. " she said
" What ? " I asked
" We are getting our vows renewed." She smiled
" Whatever. I'm going to shower than go to sleep. " I said it was about 9:30.
" I have to talk to you. " my father said
" Okay." I sighed letting him in.
He closed the door and said ;
" Got job covering them up. Maybe I'll be able to do it more often now." He said
" Don't ever touch me again. " I said
" Or what ? You'll call the cops ?" He said
" Maybe. " I said.
He squeezed my cheeks with one hand and said ;
" I will beat the living shit out of you if you tell anyone. "
I nodded and he let go.
" Take a shower and go to bed. I'll be back in a little bit. " he said slamming the door.
I lied about the shower. I took one earlier after I came back from the walk.
I went to my balcony doors and opened them. The cool breeze smacked me in the face but it felt good. I leaned against the railing and let the breeze flow through my hair.
" Hey ! " I heard someone whisper/yell.
I looked down and saw Austin.
" What. " I said
" Im coming up. " he said
" No ! " I said
Can't he just leave me alone ? I don't get why he keeps bugging me.
" Can't you just leave me alone ? " I asked when he got up to the balcony.
" No. I had to say I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said earlier. When you ran away I felt terrible. I'm so so so sorry. " he said
" How do I know your not lying ? " I asked
" Because I never say I'm sorry. And when I do I mean it. " he said
" Well I've heard way to many 'I'm sorrys ' that they didn't mean. It's hard for me to believe it." I said
" Can I prove it to you ?" He asked
" Without anyone finding out that this conversation happened ? " I said
" Why do you hate me so much." He asked
" Because. Your an asshole. You use girls. You just want to use me. And you won't stop until I let you. And I'm not gonna get used again. " I said tears filling my eyes.
I looked away from him and he said ;
" Who hurt you ? "
Before I could say anything my father barged through the door.
I looked at him and he said ;
" Get over here ! "
I looked where Austin was and he wasn't there anymore.
I slowly walked to him and he grabbed my wrist and squeezed.
" I'm done with your bullshit. You've made me so proud and then you turn into this. " he scoffed.
" Turned into what ? " I asked my voice cracking.
" I'm only with your mother for you. Your mother loves you and won't give you up so if I want you I have to have her. " he said squeezing harder and harder.
He let go and smacked me. I dropped to the ground and he repeatedly kicked me.
" Go to bed. " he said as he kicked me one last time.
He walked out of my room and slammed the door.
I laid on the floor and I heard someone walking towards me. They picked me up and set me on my bed.
" Are you okay ? " he asked
I looked to see Austin.
" Don't tell anyone.. " I whispered.
" I won't.. " he said
He walked to my bathroom and grabbed a towel and wetted it down.
He walked to me and softly cleaned up the cuts.
" Here's my number.. Text me if you need anything. " he said
He covered me up and turned off my light. He turned on my tv and walked to my balcony.
I closed my eyes and heard him whisper ;
" This is how I'm gonna prove it."
I heard the doors close and I fell asleep seconds later.
• next morning •
I turned off my alarm and slowly got up. I grabbed my phone and grabbed the paper next to it.
I sighed and hesitantly added the number to my phone.
I texted it and said ;
Hey it's ashton..
I locked my phone and walked to my bathroom.
I saw my cuts had dried up blood on them and my bruises were more purple. I grabbed my make up and covered them up. I lifted my shirt and saw bruises on my stomach. I sighed and heard my phone go off.
I grabbed it and it said ;
" Why are you texting me ? "
See. He doesn't mean it. I threw my phone onto my bed and tears filled my eyes. I'm tired of people lying to me. I'm tired of people using me. I'm tired of it all.
I walked to my closet and grabbed a jean long sleeve shirt and a white lace skirt that went to my knees. I grabbed my cowboy boots and my brothers dog tags. I have to wear them everyday. I just feel empty without them.
I turned on my curling iron and curled my hair to perfection. I sat on my counter and covered the bruises up on my legs.
I heard a knock downstairs and I heard Iris voice.
I quickly wiped away my tears and started putting on mascara and eyeliner.
" Hey ash. "
" Hey Iris. " I said finishing my eyeliner.
" You look good today. " she smiled
" Thanks." I said smiling back but the difference was mine wasn't real.
I walked to my bed and grabbed my phone.
I looked at it and I had another text.
" Ohhhhhhh. Ashton ! I thought it was someone else.. Sorry. " he said
I rolled my eyes. And typed back ;
" Mhm. Sure."
I walked downstairs and since I wasn't hungry I grabbed my keys.
" Off to school ? It's a bit early don't you think ? " my mom said
" Yeah. I need help with my math." I lied.
" Oh okay. " she smiled
" Bye. " I said
" Bye love you have a good day ! " she yelled back.
I closed the door and walked to my car.
" Addie and Jordan are at school already. " Iris said .
" Okay. " I said plugging in my phone.
I played a little too much by Shawn Mendes and softly sang along.
" Are you okay ? " Iris asked.
" Yeah. " I lied.
" You don't seem fine. " she said
" How ? " I asked
" You look like you've been crying and your listening to a sad song. " she said
" I just like this song and I poked my eye when I was putting on my mascara." I lied for the 2nd or 3rd time that morning.
" Okay.. " she said
I looked at Austin outside playing basketball with Alex as we drove by.
I just really wanna know if he's lying or if he does really care.
• skips drive •
We pulled up to the school and saw Addie , Jordan and another girl.
" Hey." I said when we walked up to them.
" Oh paisley this is Ashton and Iris." Addie said
" Hi. " smiled the bright blue eyed girl. Her light brown hair was in a French braid and she had a nose piercing.
" Are you new ? " Iris asked
" Yeah." She said
" Can I see your schedule ? " I asked
" It's in the office." she said
" You haven't got it yet ? " I asked
" Nope. " she said
" Let's go. " I said walking into the school.
I saw Austin and he looked at me in a confused way.
I felt my phone go off a few seconds later.
From : Austin.😒
1. Who's that ? 2. How did you cover them up so well.
To : Austin.😒
1. New girl. 2. Make up.
I locked my phone and I heard someone run up to me.
" Hey are you okay ? " he asked
" Austin. " I said looking at him.
" Hm ? " he asked
" I don't like you. Why are you talking to me. " I said
" Please just give me a chance !" He said.
" Why should I ? " I asked
" Because everyone deserves a second chance." He said
I didn't say anything and walked into the office.
" Ashton can you show paisley around ? " the secretary asked.
" Yeah. " I said
" Alright thank you." She smiled
We walked out of the office and Austin stopped me.
" A second chance is all I'm asking for ! " he said
" How do you know I haven't already given you a second chance and you blew it." I said glaring at him.
He just looked at me and said ;
" I just really wanna kiss you right now. "
" Leave me alone Austin ! " I yelled hurrying away from him.
Little did he know I want to kiss him too.