Chapter 1

"Amelia get your ass out of bed!" A loud angry voice yelled loudly outside Amelia's bedroom followed by a loud angry knock on the door.

Groaning she got out of bed sluggishly. She was slowly getting used to his harsh treatment.

It all started after that party. Andrew's attitude towards her changed. He suddenly changed from being a caring big brother to a nasty mean bully like the others at school.

It was a real shock to her because she never expected him to do such a thing. Although back then she saw the guilt in his eyes and convince herself that he didn't mean it but as months went by, he became extremely mean and desperate to be fully accepted by the popular jocks at school. Even if it meant giving her new bruises everyday so he could brag about it to his friends and it didn't help that their parent are always not around.

Signing loudly, she picked up her glasses on the bedside table and put it on, then she got out of bed limping her way towards the bathroom.

That week, Andrew and his friends had pushed her into a mud causing an injury on her left knee which hasn't completely healed. Thankfully their parents were away. She wouldn't need to create an excuse for him.

She took a bath and got ready for school. Stepping out, she saw Andrew already sited at the dinning table having his breakfast. 

He glared at her when she finally came into his line of vision and it caused her to flinch. She might have gotten used to his yelling and harsh words but she wasn't sure she was ever going to be use to his glare.

"What took you so long?" He spat at her harshly and she lowered her eyes from his in fright.

"I'm sorry brother, I didn't notice that my alarm clock wasn't turned on"

To her absolute shock, he stood up and smack her across the cheeks. The force of the slap cause her to yelp in pain as she held her cheeks.

"I told you to stop calling me that" he drawl out through gritted teeth as he glared at her.

"I'm sorry" she apologised as the sobs escape her lips.

"Don't fucking cry in front me" he yelled and she quickly kept her mouth shut to prevent the sobs. "Let's go" he didn't even wait for her to have at least a bite of breakfast before he walked out and she quickly followed after him, silently wiping the few tears that manage to escape her eyes.

She wondered why he changed so much. He wasn't like this before; the brother she remembered was loving and caring but ever since he became friends with Francis ; the most popular boy in school; things change. He suddenly became this monster she didn't recognize.

She just hope he would one day come to realize that this isn't him and no matter how much he hurts her, she would always love and forgive him. She just hopes he realize that soon and go back to being her big brother.

**

Luckily for Amelia, they arrive at school early. She couldn't imagine what Andrew would have done to her if they had arrived even a minute late

The moment they walked into the school hallway, Andrew ran off to join his popular friends who were charting loudly in the school hallway.

She quickly walked past them not wanting them to notice her. She heaved a sigh of relief when she successfully walked past them.

"Lia" a voice spoke followed by a hand on her shoulder and she jumped startled.

"Oh Dave, it's just you" she exclaimed in relief with her hand on her heart as she steadied her breathing.

"Yeah it's just me" he confirmed with a smile understanding her reaction.

He was the only friend she has and she was his only friend too because no one wants to be friends or even be related to the biggest freaks in school.

"What happen to your cheeks" he asked in concern noticing the bruise that was now foaming on her cheeks.

She quickly push her hair to cover it and he sighed "Andrew again?" She didn't reply but she knew he understood; he knew all about her problems with her brother.

"Common let's get to class" he threw his arms around her as they made their way to class. She may have lost her brother but she knew Dave was more than there.

**

Lunch time came earlier than expected and Amelia dreaded going to the cafeteria. That place holds a lot of painful memories she didn't like to revive and she knew that going there would only add up to the memories.

"We don't have to go if you don't want to" Dave finally spoke up as they walked side by side down the empty hallway.

"It's okay Dave i can manage" she assured not quite believing her own words.

He held her shoulder and smiled kindly at her "it's okay lia, you don't have to lie. I know you're not okay and it's alright. We can just go to the rooftop and share my lunch"

"No Dave" she protest "it's yours and it doesn't even look enough for you..."

"It's more than enough lia. So stop complaining and lets go" he didn't wait for her reply as he pulled her forward only to halt at the figure before him.

Amelia furrowed her eyebrow wondering why he suddenly stop and she looked over his shoulder to see Erin; his ex best friend and crush.

David and Amelia apparently went through similar situation. Andrew treated her bad to become part of the popular and Erin did the same to Dave. It really hurt Dave a lot when she broke off their friendship but Amelia knew he could never hate her. In actual fact, she could tell that he really wants her back ad his best friend.

Her beautiful face watched them with no emotion for some moment before she walked right past them without saying a word and Amelia felt Dave tighten his hold on her hand.

"Are you okay?" She asked in concern noticing the hurt in his expression.

"I'm fine, lets go" he let go of her hand and walked forward.

Amelia followed behind him wishing she could comfort him but she knew it wasn't easy. Erin had always been there for him but popularity stole her away and Amelia could understand what that feels like more than anyone so she let him alone so he could think while she slowly followed behind him.