Chapter 1
Xiomara's POV:
"Xiomara! Get down here now!" My dad yells. I stand up trying to shake off my raging head ache. I go downstairs to see my dad with a beer bottle in his hand. "Are you drunk?" I ask inching closer slowly. "What did I ask you to do?" He says sitting the bottle down. I didn't answer him as I didn't know what he was talking about. "I asked you a fucking question, bitch!" He yells again making flinch and take a step back. "To clean t-t-the kitchen." I answer making sure not to piss him off. "So, then why the hell isn't it done?" He says with his arms out on either side of his body. "I'm sorry. I was studying for a test. I-I-I will do it right now." I head over towards the sink and begin washing the dishes. "You better." He says picking up his bottle and walking into his room. I know I don't deserve getting treated like this but I can't do anything. I barely make any money and he's the one providing. I guess it's just something I have to deal with.
Waking up for school is always hard. Today, it was even harder. My whole body was aching and throat was sore. "Hurry the fuck up!" He yells from downstairs. I ran down there and got in the car. Once at school, I met up with Charli. "Hey, Xiomara! It's been awhile. Why haven't you been coming to school?" She says walking next to me. "I haven't felt like it." I say trying not to sound hurt. I don't want anyone to know I was getting abused at home. "Don't give that bullshit!" She says. She stops walking and turn around to face her. "What?" I say back confused. "You used to come to school with bruises and then one day, you stopped coming. You're my best friend so why won't you just tell me?" She says worriedly. She grabs my hands but I pull back. "Because there's nothing to tell!" I yell. She nods taking a few steps back. "Come talk to me when you're ready to be honest. Until then, don't bother trying to reach me." She says walking the other way. I keep walking trying to shake the pain in my stomach.
The day flew by and before I knew it I was back at home. I walk in to see my dad and his friends at the TV watching a football game. "There she is! Yo, bitch, get us some beers!" My dad yells from the kitchen. "Your daughter kinda fine not gonna lie. I'd definitely tap that." His friend says. They all burst out laughing. I bring the beers and head towards the stairs. "Come here. I want you to sit with us." My dad says. I slowly walk to the couch and sit down. "How old are you now?" One of his friends says facing me. "I'm eighteen." I say blankly. He nods taking a sip of beer. "I remember when you were two. God, your mom was bitch!" He exclaims laughing. My dad looked at me with a smirk on his lips. "I was so happy when I finally got rid of her." He says sighing contently. I roll my eyes and try to stand up. "I have to study." I say walking towards the stairs praying they don't say anything. "Bye! Oh, if you go upstairs you can't eat. Not gonna feed someone who's not here." He says. I roll my eyes and head upstairs. My friend calls me and I answer. "Bro! Can I talk to you?" Charli says out of breath. "Sure.." I say closing my door. "My-my brother was sn-sneaking into the house an-and my dad sh-shot him." She says crying. I go to the stairs and take a peek. Once I know for sure that my dad isn't coming upstairs for a while I go back into my room. "I'm on my way." I say before hanging up the phone. I opened my window and climbed out. There's a tree in front of my room so all I had to get there then climb down. Once I was out of the house and on the grass, I began finding a way to leave without getting caught. "Let's go out to the grill." My dad says from inside. I went to my dads car to see if it was unlocked. THANK GOD! I opened the door and got inside. I started the engine and drove away.
