I screamed as he barreled down the hallway after me. “Get back here you bitch!” He spat. “NO!” I yelled and ran into my room. Slamming the door shut, I ran into a corner of my room and sat there. I started crying as he drunkenly banged on the door. “Open the door! You deserve what you are gonna get!” He yelled and banged on the door even harder. I pulled my legs up to my chest and cried even harder. Why did she marry him? The door flew open. What did I do to deserve this? He marched over and grabbed my arm. I struggled against his grip. I did nothing wrong! He threw me against the wall in the hallway. “You were supposed to get me my beer!” He yelled. “I couldn’t! I didn‘t have enough money!” I yelled but regretted it. His hand collided with the side of my face. “Like I give a fuck!” He snapped. He just started kicking me and hitting me. What have I done to him? I started to feel dizzy. His fist smashed against the side of my head and I was knocked unconscious.
My name’s Isabel Baker and I’m 15. My mother and father divorced when I was 4. I didn’t understand then, I knew nothing. I never saw my mom much after that. I was always at my aunts. But when I did get to see her, she would always be drunk and so would her boyfriend, Blaine. My mom would pass out on the couch and he would come after me and beat me for no reason. He was a big time alcoholic and he got my mom hooked. I learned one day that she didn’t care about me anymore. I would have noticeable bruises and she wouldn’t believe me when I told her it was Blaine’s fault. She would just scoff and tell me to go play with my toys. I hated her guts, but I had no where else to go. She wouldn’t let me stay at my aunts house when I asked. So I just dealt with it. I never fought it. I just let him hit me and I ignored my mother. That’s what lead up to this day.
I woke up the next day in the hallway. The house was silent and I was sore. I got up slowly and walked down the hall. My mom’s bedroom door was open and no one was there. I sighed. “Thank god. They’re at work.” I always wanted to know how they both maintained a high paying job and yet be drunk all the time. I shook my head and walked into the kitchen. I grabbed a packet of pop tarts from the cabinet and silently munched on them. I looked at the time and nearly chocked. School had started an hour ago. I rushed up stairs to my room. I walked over to my dresser and grabbed a pair of jeans and a long sleeved shirt. I quickly slid them on and walked into the bathroom. Flicking on the light I looked at the nasty bruise that formed on my face. I sighed and grabbed my hair brush. I quickly brushed out my long black hair and brushed my teeth. I quickly put on my converse and grabbed my backpack and walked out the door.
My mom may be a drunk, but she’s a rich drunk. She works at Bethesda Naval Hospital here in Maryland as a surgeon. At the end of every week she would leave out about $80 for lunch, clothes, beer for mom and Blaine, and what ever I need. She only did that to show that she did take care of her daughter. That was the biggest lie ever. She didn’t want people knowing anything. It was more like hush money then anything. So I gratefully took it and took care of myself. I kicked a rock in my path as I marched up the steps to my high school. Man did I hate this place. I was the biggest loner ever. The popular kids always made fun of me for my boring clothes and not having any friends. I just wanted to kill only one of them, Miranda Smith. I’ve known her since fourth grade and she’s always been a bitch. Always teasing me and picking on me. I sighed and walked to the office.
“Ah, Miss Baker. You decided to show up today.” Principal Jones said. I looked up and the look in his eyes was hurtful. The sorrow in them made me want to bash my head into a wall. I knew what he was looking at. The giant purple-blue bruise on the left side of my face. “Yea, I woke up late though.” I said. Principal Jones knew exactly went on, he just never did anything about it cause I never complained. He tried once and I threatened to kill him if even tried to do anything. I may hate my life but it’s all I’ve got. He nodded his head and gave me a late slip. It always said I was excused. He had a soft spot for me. Even though I was in his office almost everyday. I slowly walked down the corridor to my first class, Math. It wasn’t just math, it was Algebra. Boy did I ever suck at Algebra. As I opened the door the entire class looked at me. Miranda and a couple of her friends laughed, some looked away, and others just stared. I glared at all of them and handed the late slip to my teacher, Mrs. Briggs. She nodded her head and I walked to the back of the class where my seat was. I felt peoples stares follow me as I sat down. I glared at them and they all turned away.
I sighed and laid my head down on my desk. I just wanted to sleep. I was exhausted, I don’t know why I just was. As soon as I closed my eyes I felt something hit the side of my face. I lifted my head and saw Miranda laughing with her little slutty friends. I looked down and noticed a wad of paper sitting on the floor. I shook my head and flipped her off. She rolled her eyes and flipped her fake blonde hair over her shoulder. I laid my head back down and closed my eyes. A few minutes later the bell rang and the shuffling of feet was heard as everyone gathered their stuff and left the room. I got up and grabbed my books. I turned around and came face to face with the blonde bimbo herself. “Hey look it’s the freak show’s main attraction.” Miranda said and a couple of her friends snickered. I rolled my eyes and said, “Hm I think your mistaking me for someone who gives damn.” I said and shoved her out of the way. “Aw someone’s a little angsty today.” She said and smiled. “If I throw a stick, will you go away?” I asked. The look on her face was priceless. I wanted to laugh. I turned around and walked to my next class.
“You stupid whore! Get you ugly face back here!” I wanted to laugh again. “What the hell kind of comeback was that?” I asked as I turned around. Miranda’s face turned red. Hehe she looked like a tomato. “I’m gonna kick your ass!” She screeched. “I’d like to see you try.” I said. Her fist flew towards my face and I caught it. “Really now?” I asked. I quickly punched her in the jaw and heard a sickening crunch. Miranda screamed and backed off. Next thing I knew I was dragged off towards the principal’s office. “Again with this Isabel? You can’t punch someone every time they insult you.” Principal Jones said. “FYI, she started it not me.” I said and held up my hands. Principal Jones shook his head. “You know that there is no one in this school that can take you on. And I’m not saying that as a compliment.” Principal Jones said. I closed my mouth. “I really don’t want to do it but I have to call your mom.” He said and grabbed his phone. I groaned and marched out of his office.
20 minutes later Blaine marched through the doors of the school. My eyes widened and I backed away from him. He glared at me and filled out the papers to release me for the day. “Let’s go.” He snapped and walked out the doors. “Isabel, please be careful.” Principal Jones said. I nodded my head and reluctantly walked out the door. I slid into the back seat and stayed out of reach. He was drinking again. I could smell the alcohol. “You are so going to get it when we get home.” Blaine said. I flinched when he said home. That place didn’t deserve the name home. When he parked, I jumped out of the car and ran up the stairs to put some distance between me and him. I locked myself in the bathroom and hid in the bathtub. I heard the front door slam shut and his footsteps stomp up the stairs. “Isabel!” He yelled. I flinched when he called my name. Any minute now he would find me. The bathroom door was kicked off it’s hinges. I closed my eyes as he grabbed my arm. Blaine threw me against the sink and I fell to the floor. The wind was knocked right out of me. “Why can’t you be good for once?” He asked as he kicked me in the ribs. I coughed up blood.
I tried to get up but he kicked me back down. “Please, stop.” I begged. “NO! You deserve it.” Blaine growled. He was right. This time I did deserve it. He grabbed me by the arm and threw me against the bathtub. My head hit the rim of the tub. Boy did that hurt. I reached my hand up to see if I was bleeding. “Thank god.” I mumbled seeing no blood. Blaine seemed to be done cause he just stood there glaring at me. Blaine shook his head and walked out of the bathroom. I heard the front door slam shut again. I pulled my legs up to my chest and cried. I cried harder than I ever did before. Why me? Why does this have to happen to me. I wiped the tears off my cheeks and climbed out of the bathtub. I grabbed a wash cloth and cleaned up the blood off the floor. I walked out of the bathroom and went to clean the house. Chores sucked. I had to clean the house, do the laundry, make sure there was beer in the fridge, and make dinner. If none of that was done I would get beaten again. I’ve never been beaten more than once a day, and today I only wanted that to happen once considering how mad Blaine is.
I finished setting the table as my mom stumbled in through the door. She took a quick look around the house and came back into the kitchen and looked in the fridge. She nodded her head and stepped away. I gave my mom and Blaine the most of the spaghetti and I gave myself the least. I’m not allowed to have any more than what they have. It’s really lame, but if I have more than them I get beat. Seems like I get beat for an awful lot of stuff huh? Well that’s how my life is and it’s gay. I sat down across from my mom. Blaine walked in the door and sat down next to my mom. She looked to him and he nodded. My mom nodded as well and looked to me. “After dinner get your shit packed. We’re moving tomorrow.” I nearly chocked on my spaghetti. “Why?” I asked and flinched, but I didn’t get hit. I opened my eyes and looked at my mom. “Because they need me at a hospital in Phoenix.” My mom said. Great, we’re moving to the middle of no where. “Okay.” I said and quickly finished my dinner and went upstairs. My life is a living nightmare.
