first off, i'd like 2 say thanx 4 the reviews! i really appreciate it, and without them, i wouldnt b writing this story:-) enjoy!

Chapter 2

Start Over

Christa's POV

"Christa Martin, I would appreciate it if you would at least pretend to pay attention," Ms. Harlem says. I'm in social studies, and my body is still aching since it's only first period, and it's really hard to concentrate.

"Sorry," I say, sitting up straight in my seat. I feel a sharp jolt of pain in my back from where Dad shoved me against the table. I sharply inhale, and then slowly relax my back.

Ms. Harlem looks at me funny, "Christa? Are you okay?" she asks.

I put on my best fake smile that I've practiced for many years, "I'm fine, I just bumped into a table this morning," I say, still smiling. Ms. Harlem frowns, but doesn't press it any further. I sigh and tune out again; it's so easy to fool people, because no one really sees it. They don't really care, anyway. Like my mom. She just let me stay with my grandma, and she let Dad take me. She doesn't really care about me. Only Zack and Cody sort of do. More than my parents, anyway. I wonder when I'll see them again. The only times I really do are on holidays. The next closest holiday is...Easter. And that's two months away.

I pull my shirt down more because it's starting to show where dad kicked me. It was bleeding, so I wrapped my waist in gauze, which helped some, but if someone sees, I'll have to make up another story. That's what I always do. I'm the clumsy loser with no friends who always gets hurt. I hate lying to people, I really do. But I have to. I hate that everyone believes what I say, and that they don't get it. My whole life is a lie.

When I got home today, I saw that my dad's car was in the driveway, meaning he got home from work early. All the sudden, I felt sick and nervous; the only times my dad comes home early is when something bad happens, and he always blames it on me. I slowly walked through the front door, and saw my dad sitting on the couch of the living room. To my surprise, there were no beer bottles on the table and he wasn't holding one either. When he saw me, he smiled really wide, and that scared and confused me.

"Christina!" Dad said happily. That's another thing; my dad doesn't know me at all, and even forgot that they always called me Christa. Not that I can correct him, or else he'll probably get mad.

"What's wrong, Dad?" I ask, cautiously.

Dad laughs; I haven't heard him laugh in...I don't know how long. "There's nothing wrong, Christina. Actually, everything is great," he says, still smiling.

Now I'm just confused, "Dad, what's going on?" I ask him.

Dad walked over to me, "Your father got a promotion today! He beat out that jerk O'Brien who doesn't deserve to even work with the company," he said, aggravated. Dad hates this Ted O'Brien guy, and frankly, so do I. He's responsible for about half of my beatings, and I don't even know the guy.

I smile too, "Dad, that's great! I'm so proud of you!" I say happily.

This comment made Dad smile even more, and he grabbed me and pulled me into a hug. At first, I stiffened up, and froze; I've never been hugged my him since I moved in with him. This was new to me. Then, I realized that he wasn't hurting me, so I relaxed and leaned against him. It felt so good just to be...loved. I wanted to cry, oh my god, I'm such a weirdo, why do I want to cry.

After Dad let go of me, he was still smiling, "That's only half of it, Chris!" he said.

"Really?" I say, excited.

"Yeah! The best part is, we're moving to Boston! And our new house is a block away from your brothers and mom!" Dad said excitedly. Dad doesn't hate Mom; infact, he likes her more than me. And he loves Zack and Cody, like he should love me.

"Dad! This is so great!" I practically scream. I was so excited and couldn't believe this. Moving wouldn't be hard for me anyway, since I have no friends.

At this point, Dad looked almost as happy as I felt. "I know, Christina, and there's another thing, too," he said, getting serious now.

"What?" I say, hoping it wasn't bad.

He put his hands on my shoulders and looked me straight in the eyes, "Christina, I know I haven't been much of a father to you, and never really have been," he said. I stayed silent and didn't say anything, "That's going to change now, Christina. I'm going to be a better father from now on. I'm done with all of this. The drinking, the yelling, the...fighting," he said. My eyes started to water; I didn't want him to see me cry, "I promise, Christina, it'll be better now," he finished, pulling me into aother hug.

I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, letting the tears stram freely down my face. It was all going to be different now. I was goign to get to start over. Finally, I could just be Christa Martin, and tell no more lies.

Too bad it's not that easy.

okey doke, theres chapter 2. the other chaters will get better w/Zack and Cody in them and Carey too. i have a lot planned for this story, and me continuing relies on u reviewing! so, REVIEW RVIEW REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!