A/N: This is my latest story that I just thought up! I hope you guys enjoy it! For those of you who are fans of some of my other stories that I'm currently working on, please be patient! I'm having writer's block on A World Divided and I just haven't got around to writing anything on Facing Life's Little Obstacles yet. I can't promise when I will update them, but I'll try to as soon as I can. School has started back and so it has been difficult for me to update as much as I normally do. Anyway, please review this story and let me know what you guys think!
I was sitting in my room doing homework when I heard him come home. I was curious if today was going to be a good day or a bad day. I decided to stay in my room nonetheless because I didn't want to have to face him today. I was still recovering from a couple of days ago when he beat the crap out of me. My lip was still swollen and the bruises on my arms were still very visible. I also had bruises on my back from where he threw me up against the wall and a gash on my forehead from where I hit my head on the coffee table.
All of this abuse and I still stayed with him. After all, he was my father and my only legal guardian. It was times like this where I missed my mother. I would cry every night wishing she could make all my pain go away. She was the only person I could ever talk to, but she was dead and nothing could bring her back.
I was on my bed when my door slung open revealing the man I had grown to despise ever since my mother's death: my father. "What the hell are you doing in here? Where is my dinner? I work all damn day and this is what I get?" he yelled.
I quickly got up and started to make my way to the kitchen while muttering, "I'm sorry."
"You are a worthless little bitch!" he said before bringing his hand up to slap her across the face.
Even though my face stung, I continued on into the kitchen and began fixing dinner. He just went to the fridge and grabbed another beer. This is what he did everyday and when something didn't go right he always blamed her for it. It had been this way for three years.
After making his dinner, I went back to my room leaving him alone watching TV. I went back to studying and doing my homework knowing he would be asleep in about another hour. That's when I would let my tears fall, but not until he headed to bed. I have been able to force myself to remain strong in his presence.
The next morning I woke up and put on some long sleeves to cover my bruises up on my arms. I covered the bruises on my face with some makeup but still was not able to get all of it. My dad was already gone, so I grabbed all my stuff and headed to school.
I went to all my classes like normal and avoided the stares from other classmates and teachers. A few had asked what had happened, but I had formed a talent for making up excuses over the years. I was in my final class of the day when the school counselor asked to see me out in the hall.
"Miss James, I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but your father was in a car accident earlier and he didn't make it," the counselor said softly.
I wasn't sure what to say or do. I mean even though I despised the man, he was still my father. I asked the only thing I could think of, "Where will I live?"
"Do you have any other family?" the counselor replied.
"No just my mom's best friend, Karen Roe. She lives in Tree Hill, North Carolina," I answered.
"Well I'll give her a call. You may head back in to class, but please come to my office when the bell rings," she said before walking off.
I stood there for a few minutes before walking back in and going back to my seat. I could hardly pay attention to what the teacher was saying because my mind was in overdrive. I mean how could this be happening to me. I was only a junior and still had a whole other year to go. When the bell rang, I quickly gathered my belongings and made my way to the counselor's office. I walked in and she was on the phone, so I sat down and waited.
She got off the phone and looked up at me before saying, "Karen has agreed to let you come live with her in Tree Hill. I have talked with everyone and have worked it all out. She will be here tomorrow morning to pick you up. This will give you some time to pack. I have worked out the funeral arrangements for your father, but it will be your decision on whether you want to have one or not."
"I would like to have him buried as soon as possible and do not wish to see the funeral," I responded after a few moments.
"I will have it all taken care of then for you. You don't have to worry about a thing and I'm sorry for your loss," the counselor said.
"Thank you," I whispered before exiting her office and heading home to pack. I was sort of nervous because I had only seen Karen a few times. The last time was probably my mother's funeral. She never really got along with my father, so he never allowed me to see her. I was glad that she had decided to take me in. I began packing up all my stuff and putting everything into boxes and suitcases. Tomorrow could not come soon enough.
