"Amu, are you awake?"
His voice is so annoying.
I open my eyes, the sun coming through the window as unwelcoming as this new day. I turn my head slowly and look at Tadase's face, happy and calm like nothing happened. Does he not have a hangover? Does he see these bruises? Does he even remember? He never does. I guess that's what alchohol does for him. I wonder what it would do for me....
Ha, I don't get drunk.
I smile a huge, fake smile. "Mhm." His hand is still on my stomach. I wish he would move that hand. I sit up in an attempt to shake him, but his hand slides down further. My eyes widen. "Please don't touch me there."
"Aw, Amu, you don't want a second round?"
Like hell I do.
"No, I'm good for today." I look around, still feeling the presence of his hand, now on my thigh, spotting the bathroom door. Thank God. "I'm going to go take a shower, okay?" His smile widens to a grin. "By myself."
He pouts, and for a moment, I wish he wasn't like that monster I saw last night. "Okay. I'll go make breakfast."
I get up quickly pulling the top sheet with me, practically running to the door. I throw the door closed before the tears start pouring down my cheeks.
Most people would say leave him, look what he's doing to you! But most people don't get it. Most people weren't abandoned by their parents when they were held back in their senior year. Most people haven't lived in shelter after shelter, just trying to make it through a day, let alone a year.
I was. I have.
At first, having Tadase in my life was great. He bought me nice things, took me to beautiful places, and so much more. When he found out I was living in a shelter, he insisted that I come stay with him. His parents were great (They still are. I'd marry his dad in a heartbeat, even if he is almost fifty...). Welcomed me into the family like that.
You can obviously see how that turned out.
But what am I supposed to do? Turn down a place to live? Go back out on the streets?
That's not an option.
I wipe away the tears and look in the mirror. I hate seeing this person. This woman, with bruises covering her arms, tears permanently staining her cheeks, the corners of her mouth turned down in a frown.
Try to smile, even one without teeth.
It doesn't appear.
I turn away. That's the best thing to do, to ignore her, pretend she doesn't exist.
Maybe she'll go away faster.
(daYbYdaY)
I come out of the bathroom, feeling exactly the same as I did before. Most people have deep thoughts in the shower. I don't. I go completely blank.
With my towel wrapped around my body, I check the closet, seeing what's appropriate to wear, considering all of the bruises. Since the bruises don't go past my elbow, I choose a three quarter-length white crewneck t-shirt, red skinny jeans, and white Converse. There aren't any bruises on my face, so I go light on the makeup. I pull my hair up in a messy ponytail, take a deep breath, and walk out of the bathroom.
Tadase is sitting at the kitchen table, stabbing a piece of sausage with his fork. He doesn't have a shirt on, only a pair of yellow boxers.
Okay, if you have something nice to see, go ahead, take your shirt off. If you're like Tadase, just don't.
"Amu, come here, eat with me." He's smiling that annoying, cheesy smile. I give him one right back and sit across from him, taking a bite of toast. Wow, I didn't realize how hungry I was until now.
"Shouldn't you be dressed already?" I check the clock. It's 7:30. "You need to leave in fifteen minutes." I look over at the coach, seeing his suit neatly pressed inside a dry cleaners bag.
"I can get ready that fast." I eye him suspiciously, but he doesn't see it. "Do you want to come to work with me today? Father will give you something to do."
Hell no.
Everytime I go there, his mother makes me try on millions of dresses, and she watches me change. What am I supposed to say if she sees the bruises? "Oh, your son practicallt rapes me every few days."
That would go over so well!
"Nah, I have a busy morning." I finish my toast and stand up quickly. "I'll be leaving first." I walk over to Tadase, give him a kiss on the cheek while grabbing my phone off of the counter, and run out the door. Phew, I'm out of there!
I check my phone and slump against the door.
No texts, no voicemails, nothing.
It's only 7:35.
I don't start work until 1:00.
This is going to be a long day.
A/N: Yes, another chapter. :)
Please review!
