Chapter 9

I woke that morning unable to open my eyes. My whole body felt sore and my hand hurt like a bitch. I rolled off the bed and crawled to my dresser. I took out a pair of baggy pants and an extremely large sweater to cover my hands and my bruised up and beat up body. I slipped on my combat boots and grabbed my bag. I run out through the door. I secretly caught a glance towards the living room. Both my parents were there leaning against each other with empty bottles of beer in their hands. I ran to the concrete curb and stopped.

"Hey. Good-mornin'"

I jumped and turned to see scarlet behind my smiling.

As soon as she saw my face, her smile fell.

"Please don't ask."

"...ok..."

"Let's go."

"I brought you 'nother meal."

I smiled weakly at her. This girl most likely doesn't have any proper clothing in her closet, yet here she is spending money for me to eat.

"Thank you."

"No problem."

We started walking to the school in utter quietness. We both watched the birds and the scenery around us. Not long after, we reached the gate. We went our separate ways. Her climbing the tree. And me going to the hellhole.

It happened in the middle of science class when the intercom went off.

"Dillian White. Dillian White. Please come to the main office at once."

I looked shocked and slowly got out of my chair. I hesitantly walked to the door. I reluctantly opened it and walked in. The principal looked up from his paperwork and looked at me.

"Finally. Sit down Mr. White."

"Yes, Sir."

"How is your day going so far?"

"Good Sir."

"Good."

"Do you know Mrs. Rose?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Are you close to her?"

"...I would hope so Sir."'

"Could you do me a favor?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Tell her tonight she may come back to school."

"May I ask why Sir?"

"After the stunt my son tried to pull, I concluded that her suspension should be cut."

"That is very reasonable Sir."

"I know. You may leave now."

"Good day Sir."

"You too Mr.White."

I left the office and practically ran outside. I ran to the courtyard looked up into the tree. And like every day, she was there...sleeping.

"SCARLET!!!"

She woke and fell off the branch.

"AHHHHHH!!!!"

Her head poked out from the bushes.

"What is so important that you gotta wake me up!!"

"Guess What! Guess What!!"

"WHAT!"

"I just came from the principal's office!!"

"An' how is dat good?!"

"Your suspension has been cut! You can come to school tomorrow!"

"Hold it up right there!"

She stomped out from her bush and stalked towards me. Her face only centimeters away.

"You sher you ain't pullin' my leg? 'Cuz I swear to god, I will hurt you if you are."

"No. I promise. And Smith is his son."

"Good. An' I kinda already figured dat out. You late Sherlock."

"AWW. Come on."

"Now I don't hafta sleep in no tree."

"Hmm."

All the kids started rushing out at that point like a tsunami.

"Come on. Let us walk home."

"Ya. Sher."

We walked to the concrete curb in comfortable silence.

"Whelp. I needa go home."

"Yah. Okay."

"See ya tomorrow."

"You too."

I walked down the street and stopped in front of the door. I sighed.

I opened the door and saw mother cleaning the beer bottles and cooking and dusting and vacuuming.

"Hey dear." I cringed at the sickly sweet voice.

"Go to your room and don't come out. We have very important visitors. And if you do, we will punish you severely. Okay?"

I nodded and rushed up to my room. I internally thanked the guests. One day without a beating for once.

I dropped my bag in the corner of my room and headed into the bathroom. I stripped down and turned on the shower. I closed my eyes and breathed out, feeling all the pain from my body and my mind. I probably stood there for an hour. I lost track of time. I turned off the shower and looked at myself in the mirror.

I saw years of pain and aching physically all over my body. I rebandaged my body and hand. My eyes traveled up to my face. My face had a bit of color. So faint that if you weren't looking for it, you couldn't see it. My eyes held a bit of a sparkle.

And it is all thanks to the little red-haired girl. I smiled.

I wrapped a towel around my waist and exited the bathroom. I flopped on my bed and picked up my phone. I started to go through my feed when I heard laughing.

Laughing? Who here laughs? Maybe it was the visitors. I tried to dismiss it, but it sounded just so familiar.

I got up from the bed and opened my door. I crept down the stairs and stopped next to the wall. I peeked my head out and I saw my mom smiling and laughing. Genuinely too. My father had a hand hanging around the mother's shoulder. I took a picture with the phone still in my hand.

Why? Why couldn't they stay like that? Why did they have to beat me until I am black and blue?

I tried to look at who were they talking too and I couldn't see anyone. I could only hear a woman's voice talking sweetly. I strained my ears to pick up any bits of the conversation.

Nothing. I sighed and headed upstairs in my towel.

I flopped down onto the bed and let out a heavy sigh. I have been sighing a lot lately, haven't I?

I looked at the clock next to my bed. It read 11:32. When did it get so late?

I closed my eyes. Not bothering that I am still in a towel.