~Chapter 3: Hurt~

The next few days passed by in a blur, it was now Friday. I had rushed to finish all my homework for the week so that it didn't conflict with my ridiculous chore list. Kathryn says she has a surprise for me when I get home.

I was weary about it at first and still am. I had no idea what was in store when I went home later.

My first few classes went by in a blur, I kept thinking back to what the Prince Zero might be doing or how he is adjusting to his new classes. I'm sure he has a body guard or someone to keep his safe from all these fangirls here.

I see him sometimes in the halls when its passing time. He has like a gazillion people around him, but he ignores them all. I'm sure he expected this; after all he's not in homeschool anymore.

The day ended with the bell ringing. I sat by the window, everyone zoomed out of the classroom to go see what the Prince was doing. I sometimes caught him in the courtyard with a book in his hand; I think it's cool he likes to read. I wonder what he reads though.

I packed my things, as I walked through the many hallways and to the exit, I felt like everyone was staring at me. I ignored it, was there something on my face? I heard several whispers with my name in them.

Were people spreading rumors about me? I didn't care, not really, but it would come to light soon, whatever it was. All the staring made me feel uncomfortable. I quickly made my way out of the school.

When I came out, Erin and Lisa were looking at me funny. They scoffed and went on their way in there red and white mustang vehicles. I always walked, not that I mind; you get to see more of the scenery that way.

During my walk, someone threw an empty pop can at the back of my head. I rubbed my head as I picked it up and looked around me. I saw no one and sighed. I wish I didn't have to walk by myself every day.

I made it home before my step sisters and was glad; they always went shopping on Fridays. I noticed another car parked in our horse shoe shaped driveway. It was a white sedan. I raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

I opened the doors and went inside to be greeted with a hug from my step mother. I was shocked she had never done this before.

"Guess what dreary?" She said in a high pitched voice.

"What?" I replied.

"I'm engaged!" She stuck her hand in front of my face and showed off her ridiculous sized diamond ring. It was beautiful but too big but she didn't care.

"Come I want you to meet him. He's staying with us from now on." She steered me into the formal living room. As soon as I set my eyes on the man, I felt intimidated. He was tall, average, and handsome. But something about him sent red flags into my head.

How long has "mom" known him?

As if reading my thoughts the man said, "Ah, Krystal, Kathryn has told me so much about you. See your mom and I had been dating the past two years and I recently proposed a few hours ago. It's good to meet your acquaintance." He said. Something about his tone was off, was he faking?

I shook his hand and noticed as soon as he grabbed mine, he was rough and squeezed to the point where I had to pull back quickly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I have homework, so bye." I quickly left. I hated lying, but I had to get away. I retreated to my room. I held my sore hand and I thought about what could happen this weekend. Maybe "Mom" would start acting nice to me. She seemed really happy when she hugged me.

I slowly smiled a small smile. I hope her sudden kindness would last.

It turns out over the weekend I was right about the fiancée' named John. He wasn't a drunk, but an abusive guy with money and power. No wonder why she married him.

I accidently spilled his warm hot chocolate on his new shirt because something caused me to trip. I apologized but it didn't matter, he was furious.

He literally threw his plate at my face, I put my hands up in defense, as he suddenly threw more dish ware at me. I quickly ran out of the dining room. I had a few cuts along my arms and hands. I took care of those afterward.

Saturday, he kicked open my room door and yanked me out of bed and nearly dislocated my shoulder. He punched and kicked me, told me I was and will never be nothing. I cried myself to sleep that night curled up into a ball.

Sunday, he threw the remote at my head for no reason, and threw me onto the floor. "Mom" came in once to see what I was screaming and crying about. She looked at me in disgrace. "Honey, don't take it all out on this brat. Come, let's get to bed." She cooed.

He suddenly stopped and left to go do whatever with her. Erin peaked her head out of her room, and she laughed at me. I quickly ran to my room and closed and locked the door. What was I doing wrong? When I tried to open my window for some much needed fresh air, I found them nailed shut.

I sat in a corner and cried myself to sleep again. I was all alone in this dark and scary place.

It was now Monday morning and my alarm went off. I slowly got up from my fetal position off the carpet. I barely made it to the shower, when I glanced in the mirror and noticed how horrible I looked.

My hair was all over the place, underneath my PJs, my body was covered in cuts and bruises. I began to cry again as I stepped into the warm shower, washed my hair and brushed my teeth. I knew I was going to be late.

Not that anyone cared. I couldn't wait till lunch time, I was straving. I thought about what was on the menue today as I got dressed and fixed my hair. I was already one hour late. My door was slammed open and I swear it nearly broke from impact with the wall.

"Krystal, why aren't you at school yet?" John asked as I was just putting on my backpack.

"I'm on my way now." I tried to keep my voice as normal as possible. I made my way past him and began to go down the stairs when I felt him push me. I tumbled, rolled, and hit my head really hard, blood was oozing out.

I was dizzy, and my body ached all over. "John why are you doing this to me? What have I done to you?" I yelled as he ran down the stairs and stopped infront of me.

"I'm tired of seeing your face every day. It's been three days, and your presence is getting on my nerves. You're a maid and nothing else; I can get any maid I want to do a better job than you! Get the hell out and don't come back!" He roared.

He tried to kick me in my stomach but I rolled out of the way and got up as quickly as I could and ran like hell to the front door, opened it and took off down the sidewalk.

I never made it to school, I couldn't go not looking like this. I ran all the way to the local park and hid behind a big tall tree.

I cried there for hours, hugging my knees to my chest. I had to get out of there. I had thought about going to the police, but would they believe me? John is a lawyer and I bet he's got all the backup in the world.

I was hungry, hurt, bleeding and felt like crap. My vision was blurry and my head was killing me. Where would I go? Who would take me in? I don't have any money to offer anyone who was kind enough to help me.

I thought I heard footsteps approaching me, I was right as someone crouched down in front of me. My stomach growled loudly, I hadn't eaten properly for the past few days because of John.

He scared me and I forced my self not to think about him.

I stood up just as it started raining as I ran blindly through the park. I didn't care where I was going just had to get out of the rain. To tell you the truth thunder storms terrified me ever since I was little, but no knew about it.

I tripped over something hard, I think it was a tree root. That caused me to knock down someone kinda hard. I quickly got off as I realized it was Prince Zero. He was by himself as well.

"I-I'm so sorry!" I apologized. I had to wipe my eyes again because of the continuous falling tears. I thought I had cried long enough to not cry anymore, but that wasn't the case.

I ran passed him, but he stopped me by grabbing my wrist. He looked at me with nothing but concern and questions. The storm became worse and the rain pounded down harder.

"What happened to-" He began but was cut off by me flinching away from him. I turned away and ran, he wouldn't help me would he? If so why was I being stupid and running away? I felt horrible for running from him like that.

I wasn't thinking straight, and I didn't get very far as I suddenly fell and blacked out. Someone, please help me.