(1 year later)

"Have fun at school."

"Bye, Elaine." I walked outside, heading for school.

Elaine was my foster mother. She was nice, but really strict.

I can't complain, though. I didn't mind living with her much. Although, at times, some part of me waits for my father to burst into the room and slap my face, then throw me onto the mattress and remove his shirt. On some days, I felt like he was following me, watching my every move, waiting for me to mess up so he could punish me.

I did miss him. After all, he was my father. And I still love him, even if he hated me. I still care about him, even if he didn't give a s*** about me. I still wish that he was here, even after all that he's done to me.

Sometimes, I wish he was still doing those things to me if it meant he'd still be alive.

He didn't deserve to die, even after all those things he's done.

Or maybe he did. Maybe I still felt as if he'd punish me if I didn't say what he wanted me to.

Maybe he still haunted me after all this time.

I didn't like those things that he did to me…those things that he made me do.

But, with Melissa's help, I quit the alcohol and heroin. I'm still smoking. I'm trying to stop, though. Melissa won't let me put a cigarette into my mouth when I'm around her. My foster mother doesn't know that I smoke. Melissa promised that she wouldn't tell her. Since I wasn't able to smoke at my foster home or when I was with Melissa, that didn't leave me a lot of time to put a cigarette into my mouth.

My foster mother made me go back to school. But I didn't mind much. At least I could see my friends.

I no longer felt awkward in front of Melissa and the others. I didn't mind much anymore if they knew about my father and how he was. They're my friends, and I can trust them. No matter what.

When I got to school, I found Melissa standing with the others. I walked toward them.

"Hey, guys."

Melissa turned to face me. "Hey, Jackson."

I gave her a kiss on the lips.

All of a sudden, the bell rang.

Everyone separated, going to their own destination.

Melissa and I headed to our next class, hand in hand.

Thanks to all of my readers, especially jelissalover, adversary2113, Joycelin Hades, WOODLAWNIAN, abovetherim, danita3, AgentDiNozzo13, and Twilightxxisnear.