This Is My Life
Chap 1
A/n: I thought of this idea as I stared at my tea-stained notebook, yet it isn't about tea!!!!!!!
xx
I bet you all thought we'd end up with our dream jobs, me, on the American basketball team, Logan, a producer, Zoey, a fashion designer, Chase, a play writer, Lola, an actress, Nicole, a make up artist, Quinn, a scientist and Michael, in a band. In truth it didn't work out like that for me. Logan is a producer, Lola is an actress, Chase is a play writer, Nicole is a makeup artist, Zoey is a fashion designer, Quinn is a scientist, who just discovered a cure for something or other, and Michael is in a band, but me, I work in a salon. The girl who was going places, went nowhere.
I live in a rundown, mouldy apartment with my boyfriend, who sits at home on his ass all day drinking beer, watching TV, whilst I slave away, surrounded by beautiful women, who make me feel like shit, and makeup, which is all pink and lilac.
My daughter Maddy is five months old, she is the love of my life, the only reason I am still with Zeke. I've threatened to leave a million times and he's begged me in his slurred voice to stay. He pretends to love me, he pretends to love Maddy, but all he really wants is someone to take his very sharp anger out on.
I've had black eyes, broken arms and bruises from him and if I try to leave it gets worse. He grabs Maddy's arms, so she's bruised. He slaps me, so I'm red. I have to leave.
I haven't talked to Logan or the rest since graduation, five months ago. They didn't even know I was pregnant. Zeke knew, so he grew clingy and pulled me away from the group. When I had Maddy, my parents disowned me and I steered clear of my friends. Now they're all famous and I'm a nobody. They don't know about Maddy, I hope the never will. If they met me now, they'd think me a charity case, I don't like fuss. Fussing over me is not a thing you want to do as I'll punch your lights out.
Xx
Today, I get up and head down to Maddy's room. She lies peacefully. I stroke her short caramel curl. Her cute, blue eyes flutter open and a smile flashes across her tiny face. I kiss her head and pick her up. Her pink dress lies ready on the changing table, I change her, feed her and put her in her seat.
Xx
I get dressed, grab Maddy and head out the door without saying goodbye to Zeke, as usual.
Xx
I walk down my dodgy alley. Maddy gurgles as I swerve round puddles of not just dirty water, but booze and sick. Number five is the place I stop at. Lindsay, my South American best friend, answers.
"Dana." she cries when she sees my face.
Then she realised I had Maddy.
"He hurt her?" Lindsay bends down slowly and rolls up my little girls sleeves.
Tears stream down my cheeks. I never cried at PCA, but now I cry all the time.
"It's alright, Dana!" Lindsay soothes.
"It's not alright! I'm a mess! I tried to leave and he hurt Maddy! I can't live with him!" I exclaim, the tears flood my face.
"Have you eaten?" she asks quietly.
I shake my head slowly. Lindsay gestures for me to come in. I follow her into her animal print lounge and sit on her zebra stripe couch. I carefully place Maddy beside me. She kicks her little feet as if she hasn't a care in the world. Lindsay's husband, Taran walks through from their kitchen. He has a picture of a burnt down building on his apron accompanied by the expression, 'You think this is bad? You haven't tasted my cooking, yet!'. It's one of those corny aprons that you can always count on to cheer you up. He has blonde hair, blue eyes and pale skin, whereas Lindsay has black hair, brown hair and black skin. They have two kids, twins, Lani and Jani, they are eleven months old, and Lindsay's pregnant again. Some people get everything, Lindsay has a wonderful apartment, a wonderful flat, and two kids.
Xx
Later at Kiwi, the salon, I'm waiting for my next customer. There's no-one booked, but sometimes there are drop-ins. Maddy is sitting on my desk, in her seat, fast asleep. I'm leaning on the space next to her. Then the bell chimes, meaning there's someone arrived.
"How can we help you here at Kiwi?" Lindsay chirps.
"Highlights, please!" the girl replies.
"I place Maddy on the floor behind my desk and plaster that fake 'professional' smile on my face.
"Just this way!" Lindsay smiles.
My door opens, Lindsay comes in first, the girl follows. Her blue eyes and blonde hair look vaguely familiar.
"Dana Cruz?" the girl exclaims.
"Yes." I bite my lip.
How does this girl know me?
"I'm Zoey!" she screeches.
She can't see me here. She can't know about me. The makeup hides the marks, but no make up can hide my clothes or my daughter.
"You know her, Dana?" Lindsay asks.
"Yeah! This is Zoey Brooks!" I bite my lip harder.
"The Zoey Brooks! As in fashion, Zoey Brooks?" Lindsay squeals.
"Yeah!" I breathe.
"Why'd ya lose touch, Dana?" Zoey whispers, "We all miss you, especially Logan!"
"Logan Reese, the Logan Reese misses Dana, my Dana!" Lindsay cries.
"Lindsay, privacy please!" I plead.
"Why'd ya lose touch?" Zoey repeats as Lindsay leaves.
I bite my lip and reach behind my desk. I unbuckle Maddy and lift her out. Zoey's jaw basically falls to the floor. I can't help but smirk.
"When?" she gasps, lost for words.
"Two hours after graduation." I answer.
"You were pregnant the whole time?" That would explain why you were putting on weight,even though you weren't eating." Zoey mutters.
I cradle Maddy in my arms and rock her back and forth.
"What's her name?" Zoey peers at the tiny infant.
"Maddy." I whisper as I gaze down at my baby.
"She looks like you."
"Except her eyes."
"Zeke's."
I nod sorrowfully. Tears well in my eyes.
"Hey, what's the matter? You never cry!" Zoey inquires.
"I don't love him! It was a fling! I wasn't wanted, so I found Zeke!" I cry.
"Logan loves you!"
"No, he doesn't! He loves Lola!"
"He does!"
"Liar!"
"Have you seen 'Tough Gal'?"
"Can't afford the cinema, all of our extra money goes on bloody horses and fucking beer."
"Lola plays you, much to her dismay. She pushes a guy around and yet she loves him and he loves her. The way you and Logan used to."
"That was written by Chase!"
"No, Logan wrote that one."
"Let's get your highlights done."
I quickly put Maddy in her seat on the floor and signal for Zoey to sit on the hairdressing chair.
Xx
A/n: Just tell me what you think!!!!! I like this and already have most of the story written in my notebook!!!!!!