Chapter 1
I looked into the mirror at my hazel eyes, red from crying. My black hair was wild, sticking everywhere. My clothes, aha, well the thing is I was missing half of them and the other half was ripped. All I could do was stare at the bruises and scars covering me like a canvas. I was broken, used, unwanted and unloved. I was a mistake, a screw up, that's what everyone tells me, so why not act like it? I do in school, in public when I'm on my own, but in the house I'm the complete opposite. I'm not badass or sarcastic because if I was I'd get punished for it, I always do. My mum died 7 years ago, to this day; it all started since then, she committed suicide and left me with a monster. My dad, Marcus, is a very respected man, well-liked by all and in the police force, but that's only on the outside. When he's home with me he turns into a monster, a selfish pig that drinks and beats his own daughter. We're moving tomorrow, to England, my dad got transferred there which means I'll be starting a new school, a new life, but I doubt anything will change. I'm Kate Hanson, 17 years old and this is my story.
The next day: Sunday, moving day. [Kate's POV]
I didn't sleep. All night. It was physically impossible to lay down with all my bruises. I just stared at the clock waiting until I had to make coffee and breakfast for my dad. At 5 I got up and made bacon butties and coffee, at 5:30 my dad woke up and ate until 6. By that time I was grateful to see the moving van ready to move all of the boxes from here in Wales to England. It wasn't a big move but I've always welcomed change, no matter how small, I don't have friends anyway so it's not like I'm leaving anything behind except my mother but it just gives me an excuse to visit and get away.
By the time the moving guys packed everything into the van it was 8 am. I hadn't spoken to my dad all morning and I thought I'd get away with it but as soon as I got my rucksack and started towards the door he grabbed a handful of my hair. "Now we're gonna be a good girl today aren't we?" he whispered in my ear, all I could do was nod slightly. He let go of my hair with a shove and I ran out the door and into the car, I sat in the back not wanting to sit at the front with him, he just smiled and started the car, following the moving van all the way to England.
Same day, in England, 2pm [Oli's POV]
I yawned as I finally got out of bed, my hair was slightly ruffled but presentable for a Sunday afternoon, and I searched in my closet and threw on black skinny jeans with a blue T-shirt that said 'drop dead'. I wandered downstairs after brushing my teeth and found a note from my aunt saying 'hi sweetie, I didn't want to wake you but I've gone to china on a business trip, I won't be back for at least 3 weeks, I've left money on the side, there's some food in the fridge, try not to eat take outs every night please! Ring the number at the bottom if you need me, love M xox'. I read the not 3 times to make sure I read it right." 3 weeks! Hell yeah! I thought, can't wait".
I ran out the house, only delaying to lock the door, and ran straight to my best friend Matt. N's house which was only down the street. I knocked on the front door and he opened it, I didn't even say hi, I just launched into explaining about my aunt and that we could practically invite all our friends to live there for 3 weeks (it was a big house with multiple guest bedrooms). He thought it was a good idea and was in the middle of inviting me into his house when a moving van came round the corner followed by a black car. Both of the vehicles parked outside the house next door to Matt's house. We stood there and watched his new neighbours getting out the car. First a man, in his forties with a slight round belly, brown hair that was beginning to gain a bald patch and was about average height. Then a girl. As soon as she stepped out the car I couldn't take my eyes off her, she was beautiful. She looked about 17, like me, with straight black hair down to the middle of her small back, it fell into her face at just the right angle, she was small and slim, wearing black skinny jeans and a black hoodie and bright red converse shoes. She'd been looking down the whole time she got out the car but then suddenly she looked up and found my eyes. All I could do was stare, stare into those eyes that I wanted to get lost in and I all I could think was that 'I had to have her'.
