1

“What’s that from?” Daniel says lifting up my sleeve a little more to reveal the obvious bruise.

Shit I forgot about that one, “I bumped into my counter last night. You know me, clumsy” Daniel looks at me knowingly.

“I have to get to class but I’ll meet you at lunch. My treat” I say running off to class.

That was a close one.

~Rewind one month~

“Can we work at the project at your house?” Christine, my assigned partner for this lame project asks.

“Um, I’m actually not allowed to have anyone over. Stupid family rule.” I say rolling my eyes and laughing a fake laugh.

“Okay, I’ll just have to check with my parents when I get home. I’ll text you and let you know.” She says and I nod walking away.

As I’m walking out of the Crystal Valley School doors I bump into someone while looking for my keys. It knocks me off my feet.

“Shit, I am so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention and I was looking for my keys”

“Yo Daniel, What are you doing? Let’s go” I hear a bunch of guys call and I finally look up to see non other than Daniel Green.

“No, my fault. I apologize. Here let me help you with that.” He says helping me gather my papers that are now scattered across the campus floor.

“Thanks, It means a lot” I say pulling down my sleeve to cover the big purple bruise.

“I’m Daniel, and you are Kisses right?” Daniel says and I nod shocked that he knows my name.

“Um yeah, how did you know that? I don’t believe we’ve ever talked” I say a little confused.

“Your that crazy horse back rider.”

I live right next to Crystal Stables” Daniel explains and I nod hearing my phone beep indicating a text from my father.

“I-I have to go” I say running off to my car.

Father: Get me McDonalds on your way home. 9

Me: Do you want a Soda or anything else?

Father: Cheeseburgers (5), french fries (2), apple pie, diet and regular coke (large), chocolate chip cookie, two orders of chicken nuggets (20 pc)

I start my car and drive to the nearest McDonalds quickly ordering with a couple weird looks being shot my way. My parents don’t cook for me so the only meal I usually have is lunch during school. Therefore I’m a little on the slimmer side, and since I’m ordering all this food. Well, you can put two and two together.

I quickly grab the food and hobble my way to the car, struggling to open the door. I check the food to make sure the order is perfect because the last time it wasn’t and it didn’t end well.

My phone bing’s signaling that I have two notifications. Confused, I open it to see my father and Christine texted me.

Father: Where are you with our food?

Me: I’m coming now

Christine: Hey, It’s Christine.

My parents said tomorrow or Wednesday after school work at my house if it’s good with you.

Me: Perfect, I’ll see you then

I quickly drive home after plugging my phone in to play my playlist and shortly arrive home.

I take a few deep breaths and prepare myself for the worst before I grab my stuff and the food and walk into the house.

When I walk in I see my mother and father sitting on the couch with beer bottles all over the place. I give them the food and go upstairs to change into my work clothes.

I work at Starbucks because my parents don’t provide me anything so I have to buy all my own stuff and I’m saving for college. It’s also close to school so when I didn’t have a car I could walk there.

I go walk down the stairs and my father is standing there waiting for me. “You forgot the sauces” Is all I hear before I am doubled over on the floor. “Now get out and go to work” He says kicking me and walking back to his food. I quickly stand up and go to my car.

As I’m driving my tears blur my vision and threaten to spill before I quickly blink them away and pull up to Starbucks.

I make sure my bruises aren’t visible and check for bleeding before I walk in.

“Hi, what can I get-oh, hi. What would you like?” I say seeing Daniel, of all people standing in front of me. I talk to this guy once and all of a sudden I’m seeing him at work.

“Hey Kisses, can I have a black coffee and a word?” He says smiling and I pretend I didn’t hear the end. “What size would that be?” I continue, “Large and a word” He says staring intently at me. “I’m sorry we don’t sell that here. Try family feud” I say jokingly causing him to chuckle. “That was good but I’m serious” He says with a stern look on his face. I sigh and give in, “Fine, meet me after work at 5. I can talk then” I say and he mouths a thank you and moves on.

Work goes on like its usual, painful self. I decide to get a drink and sit down at a table to wait for Daniel and work on some homework. I feel safer anywhere outside of my home. The chair across from me gets pulled out and I don’t even need to look up to see who it is.

“Okay, so what is it that you needed so desperately to talk to me about? And how’d you find me?” I say finishing up my math problem.

“Why did you run off before?

You got a text and just ran for the hills. Is it something I did? I come here all the time, you just never noticed me I guess” He says and I stumble on my words to explain why I ran. “Oh that? Um my father is really strict and wanted me home right then so I needed to go. Sorry about that” I say and he nods understandingly.

“Yo Dan, what are you doing here?”

And why are you with her?” A guy I recognize to be Daniel’s friend/ someone on the football team says to Daniel. “Shut up. I’m talking to someone. Go away” He says and I cut in, “Um no I actually have to go” I say getting my stuff together. “Do you need a ride?” Daniel asks and I shake my head no, “No but thanks” I say standing up and walking away soon hitting the floor forcefully.

“Your such a fucking dick Kurt.” Daniel says pushing him. He grabs my arm and I wince at the pressure to the newly forming bruise curtsey of my father. “Oh my gosh did I hurt you? I’m sorry” Daniel says pulling his hand away. “No, its from earlier” I laugh a little and gather my papers and stand up. “I’m gonna go.” I say and run out the door to my car.

I wait till Kurt and Daniel leave Starbucks and then I go back in to do my homework and wait till 9:00 which is usually when my parents go to sleep.

Once I finish all my homework and its close to 9:00 I order a Strawberry Refresher and head home.

When I pull up the house is just how I left it. I decide to go in through the window in my room so I don’t wake up my parents and get in trouble for it.

I quickly change and get ready for bed. It’s only 9:30 but school starts at 7:00 and I get up earlier for work.

I go and make sure my door is locked and quickly pray before I am in a deep slumber.