Chapter 1
Every mammal dreams, whether they remember those dreams or not depends on them.
people have different meanings of a ‘dream’. There are big ones Like becoming an astronaut or a millionaire. then there’s smaller ones, like wanting to get away from someone. Someone who isn’t very nice.
That’s mine.
What’s harder is that said person is a relative, a father.
My father.
I look nothing like him, but that’s his point I guess? That I look so much like the woman who left him, the woman he hates with a passion. even if it was his fault and his fault only, I’m blamed.
because I’m there.
Because my ‘mother’ took my best friend -my brother- with her and didn’t take me. I guess I’m like my father in that small way.
I hate her too.
~•~
I do good at school, it has guidelines, it has rules that you can follow, it’s my only way out of this town, my only way to get away from him.
It keeps me going, knowing that someday I won’t have to be the target for all of his anger and insults. It keeps me going that I know that I won’t have to deal with the freezing winters and cold summers. That I won’t be shoved for being the quiet one because ‘who’s she going to tell anyway?’. One upside to being the quiet one is most of the time no one sees you. You hear things other people shouldn’t hear.
“Ms Smith? Please pay attention to the board and answer the question.” Ms Thomas speaks up and I shake the thoughts away, answering the question, I then slink back into my chair and make sure I don’t space out again, so much for I’m good at school.
The walk between school and the house is the only time I really get to be myself, I’m allowed to smile without getting any strange looks, though I doubt anyone could see behind the massive jacket I was wearing, it’s freezing and the rush of wind makes it worse. Having enough I find the closest barrier for the wind, a cafe. Stepping inside, the smell of coffee wraps around me, thick and comforting, I fall in line and look around as I wait for my turn, the white tiled floors and the brown leather booths give the place a homey feel.
When I get to the front of the line I order a hot chocolate. As I wait my eyes catch a stack of flyers on the dark counter, stepping closer to read, ‘help wanted!’ The cafe needs staff. Maybe I could apply?
Extra money would be good and if I’m going to do anything it might as well be my senior year.
I battled with myself for a minute before taking a flyer and stuffing it in my jacket, which I had already started to feel uncomfortably warm inside. A bell rings and they call out my name, butchering it. Taking my drink with a smile, I take one last look at the place before walking out.
~•~
Getting to the house, he’s not there, it’s not a surprise though, he leaves early and gets back late. Having finished my drink earlier I toss it in the bin before pulling my jacket off and hanging it. I pull out my phone, an old thing, and type in the number.
~•~
“Okay, thank you, bye.” I speak as the call ends, someone at the cafe answered and arranged for me to have an interview.
I take my things upstairs and finish my homework in my room, though being hunched over a desk isn’t the most comfortable thing it’s better than being downstairs in case today was the day he decided to come back early.
Finishing up I make myself something to eat, cleaning up after, I then head back up to my room for the rest of the night, making sure to keep my bedroom door locked at all times.
~•~
I didn’t hear him come in last night, I normally do. But I definitely heard him leave, taking a glance from my window I see his car drive off to work.
School goes by fast for a change, though there’s still whispers and shoves I don’t notice them as much, I keep my head down and follow my schedule.
Getting to the cafe after school was all I could think about, and when I did get there the interview went alright, though I’m not as familiar with the machinery, Ms Paige, the boss, my boss. Said that the girl I was to be paired with would teach me. And though I wanted to ask about this girl I didn’t get the time. Guess I’ll just be surprised then.
