Taylynn

Here I am again, two twenty-two p.m Mr. Alariks history class, Brittany to my right, Elysia behind me, Meaghan to my left.

A triangle of hate, all the hate towards me. Brittany, while smacking her gum nods at Meaghan all of a sudden a stream of white slightly slips across my face, I look to the floor and to my surprise, a crumbled piece of paper, with a sparkly shine of graphite. I feel a slight tap on my right shoulder hesitantly, I turned ever so slightly I can hear the smacking of her gum.

“Read it,” Elysia says. The smell of her expensive perfume radiating off of her body, makes me want to vomit.

Looking down at the paper I stealthily grab it from the floor, making it look as if I am tying my shoelaces. I unravel it carefully, as I read the crumpled lettering my hair begins to stand on end and my heart begins to race.

“WATCH YOUR BACK LOSER, BEFORE YOU CAUSE TROUBLE.”

{What have I done? I’m quiet I stick to myself. I’m surprised they even notice me. Is it because they've shifted and I haven't? Well that’ll change in a few days cause my birthday is a few days away.}

As usual, I ignore them, knowing that the pain will come after when I walk out of this classroom I call my safe haven. I know as soon as I leave this room the pain will start, the pain of people using me as a stress reliever. Have they any idea what stress this puts me through?

In the mixture of my thoughts, I hear Mr. Alarik.

“Taylynn” he says.

I quiver at the thought of him asking me a question knowing I’ve been zoned.

“Meet me after class” he says with a strict tone of voice.

As soon as I hear those awful words slip from his lips all I can think is, oh shit. He’s really going to hurt me this time.

__________________________________

I look up at the clock watching the second-hand tic away time, not even ten seconds later I hear the bell. I have been dreading this bell for the past two years.

Suddenly all can I hear Is the sound of zippers zipping and the chatter of my fellow classmates. they go free to live their lives until school starts again. Because to them, school is a prison, but to me, it’s my sanctuary. Right as I hear the door close, I look up to see Mr.Alarik sitting at his desk paper clipping our last test together. Patiently I stand by Mr.Alarik’s desk trying to keep my mind off of what is to come.

“Taylynn” He says blankly as we come eye to eye.

“Yes sir” I say quietly trying to swallow the knot forming in my throat.

“You are aware you are failing, right? He says in a serious tone.

I just stood there, waiting for this to be over.

I’ve found the past few years the more I take it and the less I say, the less pain there is, and the faster it goes away.

“Miss Gates” he said as the frustration poured from his voice.

But still, I stood there, wondering what my drunken father had planned for me now.

“Taylynn I have no other choice but to call your father.”

At that moment when I hear those words, my heart starts racing. I can’t breathe. This is it, he’s going to kill me.

Thoughts scatter through my mind as I ponder a way for him not to call my father.

“No no no no” I say.“He’s on a business trip, he may NOT be bothered.”

“What about your mother?” he asked in a questioning tone.

“She’s gone.....” I say trying to hold back the tears rousing in my eyes

“Where has she gone?”

“She’s...gone... I was only eight years old when it happened... I was sitting at the kitchen table crayons to my left coloring book to my right. Mamma had just finished putting my hair in a French braid, my favorite.

She was never that good at it but I still loved it. She then was getting the ingredients out for dinner. Actually, she was making my favorite, steak with a side of salad.

Right before she could close the refrigerator door dad came rushing in.

“AERIEL GET TAYLYNN SOMEWHERE SAFE NOW...TH-”

And before he could finish momma had already started rushing me down the rickety old staircase to the basement. when we got there momma asked me worriedly to hide where no one could see me.

I ran to my favorite hiding spot., Behind the boiler and before I could sit down I hear a big crash along with the ear-piercing screams of my mother.

“WHERE IS SHE” I hear a deep voice call out.

I hear Mr.Alariks call out my name, just then realizing I had done it again, Not Even noticing the tears that were pouring down my face.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know it was that bad” he says as tears threaten to spill from his eyes.

I glance up at the clock in panicked, oh no... fifteen minutes late.

“Look Mr.Alarik... I’m really sorry, but I absolutely need to go. I’ll see you tomorrow....maybe.”

I quickly run home, I see his car and go into an instant panic. what is going to happen?

As I approach the front door and take a deep breath, quietly sneaking inside hoping he doesn’t hear me. All I can smell is the smell of his alcohol. I quietly run to my room without being noticed, but not paying attention I shut my door very loud.

Instantly regretting it I hear him scream up the stairs

“TAYLYNN”

I throw my book bag onto my bed, running to my closet. I can hear his footsteps making their way to my door. Louder, and louder they appear until they stop.. And my door is slammed open.