A/n – okay this is like the biggest apology ever. I have been on holiday for two weeks. I came back and re-read all my stories and none of them made sense so this is the re-written version of family ties.

"Angie!" he slurred. "Ang, whre the hellllll aaarrrrrr youuuuuu? Don't be stooooopid!"

I closed my eyes and sat on my bottom, holding my breath. Please not again. Please I don't know how much I can actually take. Mum where did you go? Why did you leave me to deal with this drunk? I know he's my dad but still he's horrid, especially when he's been drinking. No dad should hurt his daughter. No dad should be hurting his daughter the way he has been doing to me. Why can't you come back and rescue me?

"Angie! Come out biiiittttch you cannnn't hidddde ffffrom me muuucccch lonnnnnger"

At least she got away with Madi. At least they are safe.

Silent tears rolled down my cheek. Why did she take Madi away? Why couldn't she take me too?

He charged at the door attempting to break it down. He wasn't going to stop any time soon not until he finds mum.

Dad what happened to us? We used to be a happy family you, me, Mum and Madi but something happened and you changed. Because of that I have lost mum and Madi two of the people that I most care about in this world.

He managed to break the door in and I was flung forwards.

Before I could catch my breath he grabbed me and threw me into the wall, giving me a major headache.

"Please" I said softly. "You don't need to do this"

"Yyyyouuuu biiiittttch you sil love im" he slurrred

He's been drinking whiskey. I can smell it under his breath.

Oh mum what have you done?

He punched me in the stomach and dropped me on the floor. Winded I curled up into a ball. He kicked me like I was a football. I protected as much of my body as I could but every strike hurt.

Keep holding on. I told myself. Keep holding on. Soon he'll give up and leave you alone.

It seemed like it was hours later when he eventually gave it up and passed out on the bed. I stayed where I was, scared that he was going to wake again. But five minutes later I gradually pulled myself up and went to get ready for school.

It took me three weeks to realise that this would be my life from now on: suffering at home and then having escape at school. It's weird my friends would say it's the other way round. But school is better than staying at home, for me anyway. The only problem was that I have to disguise what's been going on at home from my friends. But keeping anything from Jack is very hard, especially because he knows me better than anyone else I know.

I grabbed my bag and made it over to school. I was late as usual for this month. (I never used to be late but since this whole thing started I have never been on time or early). I pulled my big baggy hoodie out of my locker and yanked it over my head to cover all the bruises on my arms. I slipped some leggings on under my skirt to hide the scars of the kick in he had given me before I left. I then cleaned up my face with some cleanser and covered it with concealer and foundation to hide the bruises and scars on my face.

No-body should get involved. They would all be hurt. I don't think anybody could stop him especially when he's been drinking. I don't want to put Jack through that, despite the fact that he loves to protect me and he will want to get involved. I can't let that ever happen. I can't watch my best friend get hurt, not like I have.

Finally I was ready to go to class but I had already missed too much of form to even consider going so I just made my way to first lesson: health class. The only problem was Jack, Milton and Jerry are in it.

I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't be at school when I can't concentrate. I shouldn't be surrounded by the people and friends that would notice that there is something wrong. Especially because I have no idea how long I can cover it up for. I just hope that he doesn't decide to hurt me more than what he already has.

I was paranoid, paranoid that he was going to turn up out of the blue and reveal my secret to everyone. What would they all think? Would they believe it? Would they think that I can't cope? Will they think that I can't look after myself? Will they think that I am weak? Would they protect me? Would they defend me? Or would they let me suffer?

What would he do? Would he hurt my friends? Would he hurt me in front of my friends? What would he say? Would he search everywhere for me if I managed to hide from him?

Would I break down in tears?

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. Hopefully that will never happen. I sat down at my desk at the back of the classroom and fidgeted while I waited for everyone to come in and class to begin.

"Kim? Kim?"

Jack?

"Huh, what?" I opened my eyes.

"Kim you slept through health class are you alright?" Milton asked.

I rubbed my face "Yeah I'm fine I've just not been sleeping well that's all"

They all gasped.

"Are you sure?" Jerry asked putting his face close to mine.

"What's with the bruises?" Milton asked.

I shrugged my shoulders "fell out of bed"

I nodded and pushed my stuff into my bag "Yeah I'm fine. What's next Spanish?"

"No Kim its gym" Jack said "Are you okay?"

"I'm just tired Jack" I said smiling a fake smile. I felt ready to just break down but they would just think that I am stupid. Maybe they'll blame me and make it out like this is my fault. Its no-one's fault, dad is just a drunken bastard.