Chapter 1

Riley

My life is anything but a bed of soft, beautiful, red roses. I was born and raised in a poor family. This couldn't be that bad right but no this is far worse.

Other kids used to say they love their mother a lot but I couldn't because unfortunately, my mother loved money over me. She used to stay away from home for days when I was just 7 and then eventually when I turned 10, she left me and my father for a rich man.

She had no remorse or guilt for leaving me. I was just a child begging for my mother's love which is never written in my fate.

Then comes my father who is a disgrace to be called a dad. Right after when my mother left him. He became abusive towards me. He sure was an alcoholic before but he didn't hit me before. But when my mother left he started hitting me, beating me to take his frustration out. I was just a child. 

Lonely. 

Sad.

When I turned 17, I so wanted to run away from the monster of my dad but then where would I go? There was nowhere to go. I was alone in this big cruel world. I didn't even have any friends. The other students at my campus consider me dirt because I'm poor and live in the worst poor area of the city. Was it my fault that I was born into such a family?

Greedy mother. Alcoholic, abusive father. My life is pretty miserable.

But still, I try to find happiness in small things, like some of the nights on which I eat a belly full of food. And one of those happy things is my crush on Brad, the famous, intelligent boy of my campus. He is a good student, admired by everyone. 

Three months ago I bumped into him and my books fell on the floor. He helped me pick them up. He even said sorry and he was the first person to help me, let it be for the little thing. He is a kind guy. And I've finally decided to confess my feelings to him.

I hurriedly made coffee for my dad along with pancakes. He is passed out on the small couch in the living room.

I wanted to leave before he woke up because I disturbed his sleep. He would strike me and I don't have any makeup to cover my bruises. This reason sometimes led me to take off from college when he would beat me badly and my face would be all black and blue.

Last night, dad saw my mother’s picture with her new boyfriend on one of her social media accounts, he got heavily drunk and I became his punching bag. My stomach still hurts with all the kicks he has given me last night.

I tiptoed out of the house and took a deep breath. A small smile graced my lips. It felt so good to be out of this house that makes me feel claustrophobic. 

Today, I've made up my mind to talk to Brad about my feelings as I walked to campus. It takes me half an hour to reach there.

All the classes went by smoothly and it was time for recess. I sat in the far corner alone as I watched Brad eating his lunch along with his friends. He has a big circle of friends, almost everyone from the campus adores him and likes him. Why won't they? After all, he is a really good guy.

I ate my plane bread quietly. My father doesn't give me pocket money or any money at all. So I have to bring bread from home. Sometimes when my father is awake, I couldn't even bring this. 

I'm on scholarship here and I work hard for it. One thing I know is if I want to get away from my father after turning 18. I must study hard. That is the only way to maintain my scholarship and I'll be able to do a part-time job and leave the hell.

The rest of the classes went by smoothly and I paid close attention to all the lectures. Most of the girl students call me a poor nerd and weirdo. Maybe it is because my shoes are almost shredded or my uniform is old and torn from a few places but I know the stitching and I stitched it nicely so it won't show any skin. I don't have the privilege to ask my father for a new uniform. He would surely give me several bruises in return.

I can't help but wonder why my father is like this. For fathers, their daughters are like princesses. Why not me?

I spotted Brad standing in the parking lot, leaning on his car as his friends surrounded him. 

I was a whole bunch of skittish nerves but I can do it. I will do it. I took in a shaky breath and walked towards him.

As soon as I reached their circle, they stopped talking and looked at me.

"C...can I please talk to you, Brad?" My voice came out so small that I wanted to smack my head. 

The guys around him scoffed and huffed but he was kind as he smiled at me, a smile appeared on my lips as he walked towards me.

"Yeah?" He asked with a raised brow. He was so handsome and beautiful. It makes me nervous.

I fidget with my fingers and finally look at him.

I was so stupid to not realize that his friends has their phones out and they were making a video. I was so stupid that I didn't know Brad was already aware of what I am here for, and this was all his plan.

I was stupid because I didn't see the worse things coming.

"I...I like you, can we be friends?." I said softly while looking down. I did it. Oh God, I did it.

A burst of booming laughter was heard, and then Brad clapped his hands. Not knowing what he was laughing at, I looked up and awkwardly smiled.

"She likes me, and wants to be my friend." He yelled towards his friends while laughing, and then his friends were also laughing.

Knots formed in my stomach as I tried to understand why they were laughing.

"I uh..." 

"Shut up!" He hissed, making me flinch back, my eyes broadening slightly.

"Hey, folks!" He yelled loudly as all the people around the parking lot came closer, started forming a circle around us.

"She says she likes me." He said and then laughed. It was not only him, now everyone was laughing.

"I... I'm sorry." I didn't know why I said it, but if I made him angry then I can only say sorry. I always say sorry to my dad, even though I was not even at fault.

"This pathetic shit here likes me." He snapped and my breathing stopped. My chin wobbled as I tried not to cry. 

I swiveled around and tried to run from there but the students deliberately blocked my way, not letting me escape.

"What standard do you have? Poor rat." His words were acidic burning my insides. I thought he was kind.

"Let me go." I tried to keep my voice strong but all the flashes of the camera and their sickening, mocking laughter were making me dizzy and nauseous. 

Brad grabbed my arm and made me face him, I flinched so badly thinking he was going to hit me. "You're a pathetic poor shit. I agree you are pretty but darling even my whores are of a high standard." He spat at my face and I couldn't help but let the tears fall.

My arm hurt as I snatched it from his hold and pushed through the crowd, running away maddeningly. Instead of going home where torture would be waiting for me, I ran into the park and sat on one of the benches in the far corner.

My tears were not stopping and now hiccups have joined too as I continue to wipe my tears but they kept pouring out.

It's okay if he didn't like me. Nobody likes me. I would've understood it but why does he have to humiliate me like that. I thought he was a kind man but apparently, no one is kind in this world.

It's a cruel world.