When She Cries

(This song is by Britt Nicole and I was blown away by it. Go listen to it while reading this, it makes it ten times better!)

(Let's make this simple: I don't own, you don't sue. That was easy, huh?)

Little girl terrified
She'd leave her room if only bruises would heal
A home is no place to hide
Her heart is breaking from the pain that she feels

Clare sat on her bed, typing out an essay due tomorrow when she heard the door slam. She winced as she heard the fighting begin. Usually, she stayed out of it, but when she heard her mother crying in pain, she ran down the stairs. She saw her mother sitting against the wall with a hand to her eye. Clare turned to her father, rage in her eyes. "WHAT DID YOU DO?" She screamed, staring up at the man she used to know. "Stay out of this, Clare!" Mr. Edwards thundered, raising a hand to her. Clare tried to block the slap, but failed. She cried out as he hit her again, harder. This would be another bruise for her collection, and she hurriedly ran to her room and locked the door.

Every day's the same
She fights to find her way
She hurts, she breaks, she hides, and tries to pray
She wonders why,
Does anyone ever hear her when she cries?

"Hey Clare, essay done?" Eli greeted her by her locker. She smiled a little and ducked her head into her locker. She pulled out her compact with foundation and touched the sponge to her eye. "Aw, c'mon, you girls and your mirrors. You look fine," Eli said, peeking around the locker door. His eyes widened and Clare ducked her head. "CLARE!" Eli exclaimed, grabbing her wrists and turning her around. "Sorry, I gotta get to class!" Clare turned and ran down to Media Immersion. After school, she ran home up to her room and cried. Her phone rang her ringtone Check Yes Juliet and she grabbed it. 5New Texts! It announced. She opened it to find five new texts, all from Eli.

Clare, text me back now, r u ok?

CLARE! Please, Adam & I r worried!

Please txt me bck and tll me y u look beat up.

Clare Edwards, txt me bck right now!

If u dnt txt me bck, im coming ovr!

Clare quickly opened her phone and texted him back. Eli, chill, I'm fine, just tripped in the bathroom. Porcelain and my face don't mesh, huh? See u tomorrow, El.

Today she's turning sixteen
everyone's singing, but she can't seem to smile

they never get past arms length
How could they act like everything is alright?

"Happy Birthday, dear Clare, happy birthday to you!" A chorus finished as Clare blew out her candles. Her 16th birthday. She looked around the table and tried to smile. All of her friends were there: Eli, Adam, Alli, Drew, Jenna, Sav, Holly J, Fiona, and even Declan flew in. "Happy birthday Clare bear!" Jenna exclaimed, handing her a package. Clare opened it to find a beautiful locket on a chain with two pictures in it: one of Clare, Jenna, and Alli & another of Clare, Adam, and Eli. "Thank you so much!" Clare hugged her gently, feeling the kick of Baby Middleton, wincing when Jenna squeezed on her bruises. One by one, the guests give their gifts: from Sav a guitar strap and capo, from Holly J a gift card to The Dot, "In case you and Eli wanna go on a date," Holly J whispered, smiling at 'baby Edwards'. From Fiona came three designer dresses and shoes, Declan gave her an ornate frame with a picture of the two of them from the last play. Alli and Drew pitched in and got her a Fortnight Fiction Set. Adam gave her a CD labeled, "Song of Our Friendship" "The song listing is on the case," Adam pointed. Finally, Eli handed her a present. She opened it to find a large scrapbook, professionally made with over fifty pages of stories, notes, scribbles, and pictures. "Eli, it's wonderful! I love it," She said softly.

Pulling down her long sleeves
To cover all the memories the scars leave
She says" maybe making me bleed
Will be the answer that could wash the slate clean"

After the party ends, Clare sits on the couch and looks through the scrapbook. Suddenly a shadow falls over her. "CLARE EDWARDS, who is that boy in the pictures?" Mr. Edwards yelled, yanking the book from her hands. "DAD! Give it back, please!" Clare said, snatching it from him. He pushed her against the wall and punched her in the stomach, causing her to fall to the ground in pain. "THAT WILL TEACH YOU NOT TO HANG WITH BOYS LIKE A COMMON WHORE!" He kicked her once more for good measure before leaving. Clare hobbled up to the bathroom, where she quickly grabbed a razor and before thinking, slashed her wrist. She cried harder from the pain, and she felt almost calm watching the crimson blood wash down the drain. She went to her room and changed into pajamas before crashing onto her bed. Clare cried herself to sleep that night. She woke up in the morning and searched through her closet for a long sleeved sweater. Once at school, she avoided Eli until English, then sat down before he could stop her. "Ms. Dawes? Clare isn't feeling well, can I take her to the nurse?" Eli asked. Clare's brow furrowed and Ms. Dawes nodded. As they were walking down the hall, Eli stopped Clare. "Your mom or dad?" He asked softly. Clare dissolved into tears and she choked out, "My dad!" She sank into Eli, holding onto the only thing she loved anymore. He hugged her, stroking her hair and whispering in her ear, "Why didn't you tell me?" Clare started to speak, but before she could, Eli pulled her sleeves up. "WHAT THE HECK CLARE?" He exclaimed, staring at her. "Clare, why?" He asked quietly. "It makes me clean," Clare murmured, her head in her hands. "Cutting is NOT the answer Clare!" Eli said, tilting her face to his. "I KNOW! BUT MY LIFE IS FALLING APART!" She cried, her cries breaking his heart. "C'mon, we're getting out of here," He said, carrying her out to Morty and driving away.

This is the dark before the dawn
The storm before the peace
Don't be afraid because seasons change and
God is watching over you
He hears you

"Why are we at church?" Clare asked, sniffling. "I may not go to church twice a week, but I know God is there. He alone can help you," Eli said, leading Clare up to the altar. She fell to her knees and cried out her anguish and hatred towards her father. "I JUST GET SO MAD!" She cried, shaking and gasping for breath. "Make it stop!" She whimpered. A tear fell out as Eli watched Clare fall apart at the altar. She ran out and he followed her to a nearby park. "Clare, what are you doing?" Eli called. Just as he spoke, thunder clapped and rain started pouring down. Clare was unfazed as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a blood crusted razor. As Eli watched, she broke it in half and threw it in the air. She ran over to a tree and started to climb until she could climb no higher. "I DON'T WANNA BE MAD ANYMORE! HELP ME LORD!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. Eli ran over to catch her as she slid down. "Clare, I love you." Clare looked up suddenly. She hadn't felt loved in a while, but she felt it now with everything she had.

Thanks for reading this, my first fan fiction EVER! So excited! So if you wanna make my year, REVIEW PWEAZE!