Amia

I squeezed my eyes closed when I woke up to the sound of something shattering into a million tiny little pieces in the other room. I lay in bed staying quiet as I hear angry muffled voices. A few minutes later I hear my mom sobbing. When I was little her crying used to make me frantic. Now, I stare numbly at the ceiling as she pleads with her boyfriend.

My dad passed away a few months after I was born. I was too young to have any memories of him. Despite his passing, I grew up loved and taken care of. My mom met Greg when I was 10 years old. I sit up and stare out the window.

I don't really know what my dad looked like but I look a lot like my mom. She has short blonde hair and brown eyes. They were once full of life but now they're dull from years of living in an abusive relationship. She's 5'8" and has a skinny build.

She clicked copy and paste when she had me. I had long straight hair and big brown eyes. The only difference between us was that I only stood at 5'1". I was basically a midget. While the women on my mom's side had slender figures my figure was curvier. My c cup boobs and fat ass always caught unwanted attention.

My face was a little round and I was always mistaken for being younger than my actual age. My mom always towered over me. Greg, my mom's boyfriend, was 5'11" had short brown hair, he used to have a muscular build but he was sporting a beer belly these days.

My door rattles and I freeze. Please go away. Please please go away. "I know you're awake! Open the damn door!" Greg yells. He starts banging on the door as I jump up and grab my bag. I open the window and slide out onto the roof.

My room is on the second floor so the jump isn't too bad but I get scared every time. I close my eyes and pray that I don't break a leg. I jump as I hear the door slam open. When I land I run and don't stop.

***

I'm out of breath when I walk into class slowly, careful not to draw attention to myself. I just turned 18 years old and I'm still running from Greg. The first thing I noticed was Jake in the back corner. I sit down and put my head on the cool tabletop.

I could feel his eyes on me as I tried to catch my breath. Jake and I have known each other since we were in diapers. We used to be really close growing up. Our moms were good friends and we'd often go to the park and have picnics together.

By the time we went to middle school we stopped talking to each other and eventually stopped hanging out altogether. We've been in the same classes together for 4 years now and don't hang out or talk still.

He's definitely grown since we were younger. He's at least 6'6" and has a muscular build. He's got brown hair, short on the sides but long on the top. His dimples poke out on both cheeks when he smiles.

I swear I can still feel his eyes on me though. He's always close by, close yet far away. I started dating Dylan this year and whenever we're together I can't feel Jake's eyes on me.

The bell rings and I head to my next class. Arms wrap around me, "Good morning Kitten," Dylan growls in my ear. I turn around and wrap my arms around his neck, "Morning baby," I say before he leans into me giving me a deep kiss.

I open my eyes and I see Jake staring at us. Avoiding his gaze, I lean back and take Dylan in. He's wearing dark blue jeans and a fitted white shirt. His black hair was slicked back and when I looked into his eyes my breath hitched.

"Why haven't you answered my texts?" Dylan asks a frown pulling at his lips.

"I'm sorry baby, I had to rush to school this morning, and was trying to calm my fat ass breathing during the first period."

I moved away from him and picked up my bag that must have fallen when he hugged me. "I have to head to my next class babe," I tell him. He reached out and grabbed my wrist painfully. I wince and turn around to look at him.

"What's up?" I ask him. He's looking at me and the vein in his temple is pulsing. "Don't walk away from me," He says stoically.

"Walk with me," I say trying to pull my wrist from his grasp. He pulls me towards him hard and I smash into his chest.

Looking up at him, "Okay, Dylan. I just need to get to class. I don't want to be late," I tell him. Alarm bells were going off in my head. Greg crossed my mind and his eyes softened.

"I'm sorry baby, I wasn't trying to scare you. I'll walk you to class." He says as he throws an arm around my shoulders.

As we head to my class, I feel Jake's eyes on me. "I'm taking you out after school," Dylan says smiling.

"We have homework Dylan," I smile at him. We get to my Pre-calc class door and he pushes me against the wall.

Lifting his arm he puts his hand next to my face and leans into me. "I want to talk you out, and I don't want to hear any complaints." I look at him and I know I can't say anything. I nod and reach up to give him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Sounds like a plan, I've missed you," I say as I head to class. "That's my girl," he murmurs before he turns and heads to his class.

Dylan gets mad easily but he hasn't ever intentionally hurt me. I sit down and prepare for class. The day goes by quickly and I check my phone as it lights up.

Dylan - I'll meet you at my car after the bell.

Me - Okay, I'll put my stuff away and head right out.

Dylan - Looking forward to it.

Me - *Send him a kissy emoji.

The bell rings and I head to my locker to put my stuff away. I don't have any pressing homework tonight.

"Amia," a voice called out behind me. I turn and see Jake staring at me with a blank expression on his face.

"What's up, Jake? What's wrong?" I ask him, confused by why he's talking to me.

"Are you okay?" He asks with no emotion in his voice.

"What do you mean?" I ask him, unsure of what he means.

"I-" he's cut off by Natalie. Rumor is they've been dating for a few months now. Natalie is 5'5" and has short brunette hair. She snuggles into his torso, "What's going on babe?" She asks him shooting me a glare.

She leans into him and grabs his hand, intertwining her fingers. Obviously asserting her ownership in front of me. I roll my eyes.

"I've got to go, Dylan is waiting for me," I say and turn away from the couple. I hear him sigh as I walk away.

My phone vibrates and I look down to see a text message from my mom. Ignoring it, I push my phone into my back pocket as Dylan's Audi comes into view.