It wasn't even sunrise and I was at the park, enjoying the fact that my family was now gone for vacation and had a month of no pain and abuse which was one the best things about their traditional summer vacation that they go on every year; it didn't even bother me that I wasn't allowed to go, I just let them think that.
If they knew that I actually enjoyed being away from them and it was like my own vacation, they would take me with them just so they could deny me having time away from them which would have been torture and brother's would definitely enjoy beating on me; that was their favorite thing to do and was it wrong of me to wish that they disappear and never come back?
This was my favorite time of summer vacation and usually I would have Piper to go to the park with, but sadly, she was still at her Grandmother's place which was not even in the state so couldn't just play with her, missing having her around to play with; she always made me feel better on my bad days and I wasn't allowed to use the phone, so couldn't call her.
I knew my family and knew that as soon as they left, I would be locked out of the house with no way to get back in which included any food that was left in the kitchen for me, so had managed to sneak in through the attic window that I leave open and grabbed the rest of the things that I didn't want to leave for a month; I wasn't able to grab food.
My parents lock the attic door at night, even when I am not up there sleeping and I think that they might suspect that I have been sneaking food after hours which was why I get locked in most nights or why my parents had gotten in the habit of locking my special food cabinet that has all the spoiled food that they no longer want.
Though I wasn't sure if they were aware that I have been sneaking food from the Greaser side of town or even from Piper's mom which I haven't been back to, feeling bad about that; my parents definitely would not have approved of it, especially when they were trying to make a reputation for being Socs which is just a hopeless dream.
As soon as I was old enough, I went looking for food on my own which they deeply disapprove of and regardless if I found food or not, they would deny me any until I was on the verge of passing out and would give me some, just enough to keep me from dying on them; who else would be their perfect little slave if I was to die?
They were the reason I was so malnourished and because of it, looked more like I was five or six instead of going on eight and I hated them for it; I wished that I was orphan and was living in foster care somewhere as that would be better than living like a animal and even they were treated better than I was, but knew there was nothing I could do about it.
Because of them, I learned to survive without having to worry about them taking care of me which they barely did and that was why I was yet again on the Greasers side of town looking for food, despite being caught last time though it was better than the Socs side of town; they have permission to punish me how they see fit, thanks to my family.
Besides, I prefer the Greasers over the rest of the people in town because at least I knew where I stood for them and if there was one thing I learned from watching Piper's brother, it was that Greasers were loyal and it didn't matter if they liked each other or not, they would stand together against the Socs or any of them and I was more Greaser than anything.
As soon as other kids at the park where I have been since before sunrise and haven't even had breakfast yet though was used to going without eating in the morning, I took off as despite being seven, I didn't really get on too well with other kids my age with the exception of Piper and was always getting in fights at school.
My parents didn't care so much how I behaved at school and I don't think that I can remember one time where they have actually showed any interest in my schooling and certainly didn't care about a bunch of fights on the playground, but they didn't care about how my brothers do either, just as long as we don't ruin them socially.
Though my parents or siblings didn't care what I did, Piper's brother certainly did, thanks to my best friend having a big mouth and can't keep a secret to save her life who gladly scolded me every time I would get into a fight on the schoolyard and making me feel guilty; sometimes it felt like he was my brother too, but sadly, he wasn't.
Piper said it was a good thing that it was just her brother and not her mom, she would have been worse and if she would have gone all stern mom on me, seeing me as another daughter and would have gave me a spanking of my life as Piper said, something that I had never endured, not unless you count a few swats from the teacher.
While my family beat and starved me, the one thing that they never did was spank and for that, I was grateful for because I knew where I stood when I was being kicked and punched and not sure how I would handle them doing that and was probably the only one in my grade that hasn't had that happen to them, so had no idea what the big deal was.
I grabbed my bag that held my sketchbook and pens which I happened to carry everywhere, along with my very loved stuffed rabbit, planning to head back to that abandoned house until dark and then, I would go looking for something to eat; it is always easier to steal food at night when there wasn't anybody around to see it.
I thought having a peaceful day drawing in the backyard of the abandoned house away from the rest of the Greasers, not really wanting to get on any Greasers bad side, especially after what happened last time when I got caught stealing at that gas station, but what I didn't expect was to run into Nathan and Samantha Parker.
The twins and I weren't exactly friends and if I was honest, we hated each other and were constantly fighting and there was a good reason why the school kept us apart at all times; I had no problem throwing a fist at one of them but usually had Piper with me when things were going down and I thought it was going to be a good day.
"What you want," I said rudely, having no time to play nice with them and this was the last thing that I needed right now; they were middle class kids and that was another reason I hated them, their parents were friends with mine so knew how I was treated which they thought was the funniest thing and didn't like them having any power over me.
"Oh Alex, I have been so worried about you. How was your beating? Our big brother told us all about the brutal beating that your lovely older brothers gave you. I bet you deserved it. If we gave you ten bucks, can we beat you too. That's all your worth," Samantha said in her fake nice voice that drove me insane and to think, I had once wanted to be friends with her.
I cringed at the use of 'Alex', hating the name with pure passion, thanks to my brothers and so glad that she wasn't aware of my nickname as she would just taint that too as I just rolled my eyes at her, knowing that she was just trying to get under my skin and wasn't going to let her get to me this time.
Her twin brother wasn't as bad and usually didn't bother me all that much and the only reason that I didn't like him was because he was Samantha's twin brother and also because, he has a history of following his lead; it wouldn't be the first time that Samantha Parker started something that usually got us all into trouble.
"Whatever Sammy. Go play with your dolls, maybe it will help you make friends for once. I'm out of here," I said, dismissing her which should of known only riled her up even more and should of been more surprised when she grabbed my bag from me while her brother held me back from going after her; the downside of being so small.
I tried fighting him off as she looked through my belongings and watched in horror as she brought out my sketchbook and started looking through my drawings, when not even Piper was allowed that honor; my drawings were private to me and no one and I mean no one had the right to look at them without permission.
It was like Samantha had no respect for someone else's property with the way she just grabbed my things like they were her own and this wasn't the first time this has happened though what I wasn't expecting was for her to starting ripping my art work all up in front of me as she gave me a smirk; she wanted a fight, well now she got one.
So, that was when I saw red and managed to break free and without thinking, punched Samantha Parker straight in the face and managed to grab my bag and snatch my sketchbook back or what was left of it as I attempted to leave as I was tripped by Nathan who did not look happy about me hitting is sister; not sure what he expected me to do and it was nothing new between us.
Unlike her, Nathan was very big for his age though that wasn't going to stop me as not only did his sister piss me off by destroying my sketchbook when it was clear that she wanted to start a fight with me, now Nathan was wanting to play hero and I was already fired up and managed to kick him to the ground as he swung a punch at me.
By now, half the kids that were on the playground already knew was going around as I tried to keep him from throwing another punch who managed to get me in the face, kneeing him between the legs which was something Piper's brother taught me to do, ignoring the 'Fight' chants and Samantha's crying that was probably fake.
I wonder where the fuck the parents were or worse, where was their mother because I happen to know, thanks to them being so close to my parents that the twins weren't allowed out of the house without an adult and what were they even doing at the Greaser park anyway; I come here to avoid middle class kids and didn't want to have to find a new place.
Though shouldn't have said anything as I felt myself being yanked away from Nathan and coming face to face with their rough older brother as I felt myself shrinking back in fear as I shook me roughly, "What the fuck you think you doing, trash! What gives you the right to dare touch my innocent twin siblings! They did nothing to you," he said, smacking me right in the face.
It was like he didn't see a tiny seven year old girl who is brother was overpowering, he just saw me hurting his precious little siblings as I tried to get away from him though no amount of punching or kicking was strong enough to get him to let go of me; the guy didn't even flinch when I kicked him between the legs.
"Hey! Let her go now, Parker or I will fuck your face up right here," I heard a voice that I recognize as I looked up from where I fell to the ground to see Steve standing there, looking like he was on his way to work as I watched kids run off, away from this stand off and leaving just me and the Parker twins; not sure I liked that.
The older Parker brother, whatever his name was though didn't actually care, looked at him in hatred, "Get lost, Randle, this ain't your problem. She was fighting my kid brother and made my poor innocent sister cry.
I got permission from her parents to beat her. She is just a worthless piece of nothing, kinda of like you. Now get, I have a beating to deliver," he said, tightening his hold on me which brought a few tears to my eyes.
I was yanked from his hold and lifted up into Steve's arms, "Don't care what she did. Not in our territory, you won't. Don't care what permission you have to beat on this kid, you ain't doing it here. So unless you want me to break your face again, I would take your brother and sister and leave. It looks like they need their diapers changed," he said, sternly as I watched in awe.
It still didn't stop my fidgeting though, hoping that he would put me down as I didn't like being held and it only brought up memories of my brothers and didn't want to see Steve that way as he was like my own personal knight that saves the day as he only tightened his hold and adjusting me to his hip, feeling like a baby; I hated being so small.
Why couldn't he just put me down because that way, I could take another swing at Nathan or better yet, at Samantha who deserved it for looking at my drawings as he ignored my fidgeting and just glared at the three and could see the oldest brother felt threatened.
Was Steve really that bad, "Fine have her, she's just garbage anyway. Samantha! Nathan! We're leaving and just wait till Mom hears about this, your both getting the spoon," he hollered to them and walking off, not bothering to see if they were following as the twins hurried to catch up with him, sticking my tongue out at them.
Thank god they were gone, I got enough of them during the school year without having to see them during the summer too, except this time Piper wasn't here to diffuse the tension or have my back when yet another fight broke out between us; if I see either of them again anytime soon, I don't know if I was going to be able to stop myself.
"Gracie, you alright. Caleb didn't hurt you, did he? Why were you fighting with his younger siblings, they have to be at least a few years older than you. God, that boy got you good. Hope you got a few hits in too," he said, still keeping me a tight hold on me as he reached to pick up my bag a sketchbook and tossing it on his shoulder.
So, Caleb was his name though not like I cared much about what the name of my archenemies older brother, especially when he is worse than they were; I don't know why I wasn't surprised my parents gave permission to have me beat, nothing they do surprises me anymore.
"Samantha and Nathan are seven, like me and we always fight. The teacher had to separate us. She grabbed my sketchbook and ripped it and had to pay. I kicked Nathan between the legs, like Piper's older brother told me too. He says that's where you hit boys when they hurt you," I said, feeling him tossing me half over his one shoulder, still not putting me down
"Good girl. Isn't that Adam Connolly's little sister, she is about your age. I met her a few times, she's a sweetheart," he said, walking on as he carried me over his shoulder, probably needing to get to work; wouldn't it be easier to let me walk?
"Yeah, Piper's my best friend, but she isn't here this summer. Her mom made her stay with her Grandma in another state somewhere, so like far far away. Adam's nice too, like a real brother. I wish I could have a new big brother, like Adam," I said, hating that the only brothers I had were ones that beat me for sport; why couldn't I have one like Piper?
"That's nice and sure she'll be back soon. We should probably get you some ice on your face and check you over. I'm late for work, so guess your coming with me, troublemaker. Besides, you shouldn't be running around by yourself. I'll drop you off later," he said, hurrying down the road though didn't seem to have much a choice in that matter, since I was still being carried.