Cuts Heal, Bruises Fade

Summary: It's so much easier to not even try.

Pairing from last chapter: Connor/Huntress (Titaness)

Note: Yes, Connor died in the last chapter, but only because he was very persistent. He actually reminds me of a certain Mike Newton. . .


12. Invisible is Easier

It was always hard for her to please others and herself at the same time. So she didn't; she just pleased others.

Her friends were the easiest. They only wanted someone to listen – and she was even a little bit popular; so they didn't care. For the teachers she was a straight-A student – the "perfect" role-model for the "perfect" school for the "perfect" kids of the "perfectly-rich" business-men.

Her parents – always the perfectionists, weren't they? – were the worst. (Honestly, how hard is it to be happy with what you have?) Nothing she ever did pleased them.

So she stopped.

. . .

He was the thrill; the chase; the act of rebellion. So she dated him. She finally wanted to get noticed – honestly, how hard was it? Aren't parents supposed to notice their children? (Apparently not the rich ones.)

And when they finally did notice, they disapproved. [Can't have your only daughter dating a delinquent, now can we?] She knew they would keep watching until she stopped.

So she didn't.

. . .

And then, she took the next step.

"I'm pregnant," she announces in the morning.

Her mother scoffs, as if that's the silliest thing she's ever heard, "Please, daughter, tell me you're lying!" (They never actually use her real name, it's just "daughter" or "girl" or some other weird thing that shows no love whatsoever.)

Her father just looks up, and stares back down at his newspaper. It doesn't really give the desired effect.