Fan Fiction |
by Amaliciouss
Beep. Beep. Beep. Ah!! I bolted up in shock, pressing the green 'snooze' button on the purple alarm clock. Looking at the time, I lazily swung my legs over my bed and went to my closet to change. It's 5:00a.m. right now. I really hope my stepmother isn't awake....
"Ara!! What is taking you so long?! Huh? Get over here!" the oak wood door leading into my bedroom flew open and banged loudly against the wall. My stepmother stormed in, her eyes lit up with angry flames. I could've sworn there was steam coming out of her ears.
"S-Sorry... I just got up to ch-change," I stuttered, fear overtaking my brain. I froze in my spot, ready for the early morning beating.
"Sorry is NOT good enough!" My stepmother stomped over and slapped me on my cheek. Hard.
"Ah!" I felt a piercing pain sear through my cheekbone as tears welled up in my eyes. My face turned sharply, making my hair swing over as well. "M-Mom.... I-I'm going to change now. Sorry." I bowed my head.
"Hurry up. I don't have all day, and don't call me mom. You make me sound so old!"
I shut my eyes as another sharp pain spread over my arm. The slapping noise...it's a horror to hear. I've heard far too much already... Daddy, where are you? Why don't you come home? A tear slid down my cheek, leaving a cold trail behind it. "Sorry," I sniffled.
"Stop your senseless crying!" Stepmother yelled and power-walked out the door, slamming it behind her.
I could feel the ground vibrate for a bit and the small light above me shake. Carefully inching forward, I turned the lock on the door and reached randomly into my closet for an outfit. After taking a quick shower and changing, I unlocked my door, grabbed my backpack, and started for the stairs.
Wait... If I go down, stepmother would definitely beat me, so, I'll take the window. Inhaling deeply, I tip-toed back to my room and lifted the medium-sized window up to the top. I hung onto my bag and glancing around cautiously, I slung my left leg over the ledge and stepped into a black, delicately designed balcony. Pulling the glass window back down, I leaned over the balcony bars and climbed to the other side. Hanging onto the iron rods, I lowered myself as much as possible.
Ok, this is way freaky... At least there's a flower bed below. One, two, three... I let go, and landed in the bush of pink petunias. Standing up and brushing dirt off my clothes, I picked up my purple Jansport backpack and ran off to school.
* * *
"Yesterday, after our rat dissection, group 4 found 8 rat babies inside the eggs. I cleaned them up and examined them more closelyl..." Mr. Tyuni, the science teacher rambled on.
I casually wrote down notes as he talked, stopping once in a while to look out the window. My extreme getaway this morning worked perfectly since stepmom didn't see me. School works as my hideout, and besides, I like all my classes, especially science. Mr. Tyuni has a lot of fun dissections and experiments that help the students to learn more. I can even relax and take my mind stepmother for a while...
"Psst. Ara. Heads up!" my best friend Ayumi Lee whispered from behind me. Soon, after about 10 seconds, a small slip of binder paper flew over my head and landed on my lavender notebook.
Unfolding it, I read the long message written inside. 'Hey Ara! I have another note for you. Today, this afternoon after school, do you wanna head over to the mall? I heard there's a new sale at Alley Katwalk! I definitely need some new shoes and jackets. How about you? Oh, and check out that Jae hottie... He's staring out the window in all his glory...'
Laughing silently, I turned to look at Jae. He seemed to be zoning out into his own world. Yeah, I would like to do that to, but for me, that's impossible. The fears from reality stop me from recreating my own dimension. If only I don't suffer from the horrors of the 'real' world. Taking out a pencil, I wrote down my reply.
'Sure, I'll go. I do need some new clothes. But don't you think you've been obsessed with Jae way too much lately? I agree, he's hot, but it's not like I stalk him. You, on the other hand, go around trying to find out personal information.'
Folding the paper back up, I threw it over my shoulder, back to Ayumi, who sat behind me. I hope my stepmom will go out today. I don't want to go home after the mall hangout and get beaten.... That's one thing I don't get! Why do adults sometimes beat up their children? It's illegal, first of all, and it hurts. Others, who are luckier, don't know how it feels like to not be loved by anyone. It's like darkness surrounds you everyday, as you struggle to fight for your life. In this situation, it's a dog-eat-dog world. Who will win? The parent, or the child?
* * *
"Wow! That looks awesome! You have great taste, Ayumi," I complimented, looking over at the gold peep-toe heels my best friend held.
"Thanks. I like those black and white striped ballet flats you're holding." Ayumi smiled.
Right now, Ayumi and I are at Alley Katwalk, checking out the sales in the shoe section. I took out my wallet and looked inside to check how much money I had. My secret part-time job as singer at the Rave Club really pays off since a lot of people go there. I have about $150 from the last 10 days.
"Come on, let's go pay. I've got everything that I want. What else did you get?" Ayumi asked.
"I got a scooped lavender sleeveless turtleneck and a fringed denim mini. Why? Isn't that enough?"
"No. You need a gold belt like that one over there!" Ayumi pointed towards the belt rack, where a gold squined belt stood apart from the others, sparkling in all its glory.
"It's not on sale though. That belt was just imported and is about $50," a saleswoman cut in after overhearing Ayumi's statement.
"50? Uh... I guess I'll get it some other time. Sorry, I don't have enough money," I apologized and headed to the counter.
"Not enough? Well, that's too bad. I would pay for you, but I'm out," Ayumi admitted.
"It's alright. I can earn some more money. My mom gives weekly allowances," I lied.
But for some reason, the lie itched at my mind. I so wanted to speak the truth and come out clean, but I can't do that. Ayumi would start the pity party and it would hurt even more to see things get twisted. Plus, everyone would see me as a different person.
* * *
Oof! I climbed back over the balcony when I got home and dusted some dirt off my jeans. Reaching for the window, I tried to lift it up, but it was stuck. Oh no. This is not happening... Come on, Ara, lift! Ugh! I strained my arm muscles trying to open the damn window!
"Are you trying to break in, Ara? I locked the window after finding out you ran away." a voice said suddenly.
"Ah! Stepmother.. I-I.. What are you doing out here?" I stammered, cursing at myself under my breath.
"Am I not allowed to come outside? Ara, get down here right now! I don't care if you get hurt, I want you on the ground! NOW!!"
Gulping, I leaped down, twisting my ankle in the process. The sudden pain shocked me for a few seconds as I sat in the flower bed, grasping my ankle.
"It's your fault! In the house!" Stepmother grasped my arm tightly and dragged me into the house through the maroon double-doors.
* * *
"WHY were you out there? HUH?! Answer me! NOW!! What is wrong with you! I can't believe I'd get involved with your HELL of a father and have to take care of someone as UGLY as YOU! GOD I don't even want to say your damned NAME!!!" Stepmother screamed, spit flying out of her mouth.
She hit me and kicked me countless times, sending excruciating pain searing through my entire body. My bones felt like they were about to crack from all the pressure and my muscles ached like hell. A pain made its way into my brain, sending me a headache. I felt dizzy as my stomach churned and hurt for what seemed like forever.
The tears started welling up, probably from the pain and emotional hurt. I couldn't speak. My mouth felt dehydrated and my throat hurt because of the dryness that insinuated. As a fresh batch of tears poured, I could feel my world spin and crash, all the memories colliding into each other. The needle-like piercings of pain pinched every part of my body.
Soon, I felt everything start to turn black. I couldn't feel anything, all the pain was slowly dissolving. Numbness overtook me and I couldn't see anything anymore. Blank.. It's all black...
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Authors Note: Ok, there's chapter 1! I was really wrapped up in typing this... Anyways, this chapter enters into Ara's life, showing all the things she goes through just to live. I, personally, think it's unfair to all those abused children how their guardians or parents act. Oh, and the 2nd chapter will be about Ayumi... So, I hope you keep on reading and enjoy!