The first time it happens it isn't a big deal, just a slap to the back of the head for doing something stupid. There is a brief flash of pain but it's gone just as quickly. You scowl and grumble about it not being your fault and you both move on. That is until a bump on the head becomes a slap across the face for getting a bad grade on a test. It's then and there that it becomes not ok. The bruise sticks around for a week and no one comments or asks about it. When you try to tell your mom what happened she dismisses it with a casual, "You know he didn't mean it." But she doesn't meet your eyes. It's then that you notice the bruise around her wrist that looks suspiciously like a hand.
There is now a connection between the two of you and it makes you feel sick. What's even worse is you know you are trapped. That night all you can hear is your mom sobbing down the hall. When there is suddenly a sound of skin hitting skin and then silence you know what's happened. You hate him for hurting her but you hate her just as much for taking it lying down. From then on you don't think of them as your parents.
A slap becomes a punch and a punch becomes a kick but you'll be damned if you don't at least try to give as good as you get. The kids at school just think you're a punk who likes getting into fights and the teachers all gave up on you as soon as you showed up one day with a split lip. No one asks where the scrapes and bruises come from so you don't bother telling. Every day His sneer gets more pronounced and the bags under Her eyes get darker. When it's obvious that all the attention the marks get is a handful of scornful looks you start covering them up. You're not ashamed of them, actually far from it, but it's just easier to walk down the street when nobody's looking at you. You now have your values; the rest of the world can keep theirs.
By the time your fifteen it's become insignificant. Neither of Them are home very often anymore and you think they are both cowards. All that you really care about is music and CAT, at least until you are shot full of lead twice. Sure you get some friends out of the deal and maybe become a better person. Still doesn't mean that Josh isn't an egotistical prick.