Holly's *P.O.V*
I was a moving shadow as I slipped towards the front steps of my home. The house was ominous as it loomed in the dark. It towered over me and it seemed to be watching... waiting. I stepped lightly as I cautiously opened the door. My body tensed to face what was sure to be waiting for me.
Nothing.
I was shocked. Has he not come home yet? My heartbeat was starting to slow to a normal pace. Scanning the darkness I tried to make out anything different. When I was sure nothing was wrong I strode in and softly shut the door, not bothering to lock it.
Still not sure if he was home, I tried to get to my room upstairs as quickly and quietly as possible. I desperately willed the stairs to not creak and give away my presence, especially to anyone who might be waiting in the dark. I was on high alert, trying to sense any possible life. Passing by a mirror I yelped softly and jumped back. Only when I locked eyes with myself in the mirror did I recognize it as me. I let out a deep breath. "Holly, it's just your reflection!" I muttered. Then I frowned and studied myself.
My body was something everyone craved. At 5'6 tall I had perfect c-cup breasts, a flat stomach, and the thin, curvy body that all super models have. My long strawberry blonde hair was slightly wavy, reaching just past my shoulders. But what always stood out were my large green eyes. None could ever figure out what color they were, but it was something between the color of the prettiest emerald and the color of a new blade of grass.
All my friends thought my life was perfect... But they have no idea how wrong they really are. The truth is, underneath the miniskirts and designer t-shirts, there was a scarred, bruised, and abused body and soul.
I shifted slightly and my miniskirt pulled back a little to reveal part of a scar on the inside of my thigh. Though it has healed, I had the mark to remember. I shuddered, remembering how I had come by it.
It happened after I heard my father murder my mother. I realized that he had killed her because of how she had protected me from him. Although I was only 8 at the time, I could see the cuts and bruises that were always present on my mother's frail body. I never questioned why she had them, because she never answered. My father wasn't the lovable guy who tucks you in at night and reads you a bedtime story. No. He was definitely the opposite.
My father had never laid a hand on me until that day he came home drunk. I never knew what he was going to do to me, and I was lucky my mother saved me... but that killed her. She had pushed him away from me, and had stood protectively in front of me. She threatened him to not go anywhere near me. My heart had exploded with admiration for her, I knew that she never disobeyed him. But that was what killed her.
It was then that he had grabbed my mother by the shirt and dragged her to the kitchen. I was absolutely terrified of what would happen to her. I could hear a heated argument from that location of the house, but I was not able to make out any words. What I heard next turned my blood into ice. My mothers blood curling scream echoing throughout the house. By then I was hyperventilating.
I remembered that not long after the scream. My father, drunk and stinking of alcohol started blundering towards me with a blade in his hand. I saw my mother's blood coating the knife, and I shrank back in terror.
"Sit!" he had shouted. "It's all your fault!"
I had all but crashed to the floor, when he lunged at me and dug his blade into my leg. I screamed at him to stop but that somehow seemed to turn him on. He started to threaten me saying that he would do worse if I told the police about this. Then he got up and started to walk away, stumbling a bit.
Back then I was only 8. Now ten years later, I am still here. The cops never found out that my dad had murdered my mom. Mostly because I was ordered to keep quiet by dad, or else he would kill me too.
I have been suffering ten years of abuse. Every night I dreaded coming home with a fear that my dad was drunk and he would beat me. I learned that once he was beating me, there was no point in screaming or fighting back, it would just get worse. Too bad when he decides to cut me with his blade, he chooses the center of my body, where it can be easily covered by clothing.
I shook my head furiously. Now wasn't the time. I forgot he was the one I was trying to hide from.
I started to quickly step through the hallway to get to my room. I had only just shut the door to my room, when I heard my dad come home. I heard him go to the kitchen and then shortly after, a crash sounded in my ears. I franticly changed into my floral pajama pants and a tank top, and then literally crashed into bed and hid myself underneath the covers.
I listened intently, trying to hear if he was going to come to my room and take out any anger on me. But no footsteps sounded.
Somehow that was worse.
As the minutes ticked by I allowed myself to relax, and then not long after I had slipped into a black dreamless abyss.
***
When my alarm went off I shot out of bed to turn it off. Praying it hadn't woken up my dad. I didn't want him to get pissed off. Calming down, I walked quickly to my shower and stepped in.
I let the warm water wash over me, and let it take me away. When I had scrubbed myself clean and washed my hair, I lingered in the shower for a few more moments before wrapping myself in a towel. I quickly dried my hair and combed it briskly, before I removed my towel and assessed my body for new bruises or cuts from two nights ago. I couldn't help a sigh that escaped my lips. I could see years of scars running over my body. I noticed a fairly new bruise forming on my right hip, from when he threw me at the wall two days ago.
I teared my gaze away from my body, walked out of the bathroom, and started choosing my outfit for the day. I finally chose some clothes that covered all my scars and bruises, and started changing. After I had changed, I grabbed my book bag and was outside breathing in the fresh and crisp air. I savored it for a few moments before starting to walk a few blocks to my school.
I know! I should have a car. But my dad... well lets just say he isn't a giver. On the bright side it is good exercise.
I already have my license to drive, if only I had a car... but at least once I am out of school I can leave... forever!
A few solid minutes later, my school came into view. Suddenly I felt a burst of energy and I half-skipped, half-ran to the doors. As I walked through the double doors, I spotted the janitor and waved at him kindly. He returned the gesture with a bright smile and a "Good Morning, Miss Holly!"
I exchanged pleasantries and then heaved my book bag to the Commons Area of the school. Once I reached my destination, I raked my gaze through the crowds of students. I then recognized my group of friends, and then headed over.
One of my best friends Christina spotted me and waved me over. I could never get over how pretty she was. She had light blonde hair that went down to her very slim waist. She also had the light blue eyes and perfect lips that let her be able to pull off puppy eyes that you couldn't resist. Somehow though she thought I was prettier.
I reached my friends to see that my other best friends, Jennifer and Julie, had already arrived. Julie was engrossed in a book when I walked over. She was a shy beauty, and never thought of herself as pretty. I don't know how she doesn't notice the guys who like to peak glances at her body. She had a round face and soft green eyes. She also had straight dirty blonde hair that never went past her shoulders. She was sweet and caring and a good friend.
Jennifer however was a little more confident. She always had her hair in a pony tail, so I never knew how long it was. She used to have pretty brown hair, but she hated it and dyed it blonde. She was an athlete that was also a good sport and never hesitates to help a friend. She had dark brown eyes that made you instantly know you are in good hands. Her face was sharp and she had freckles on both cheeks and nose. Everything about her screamed confident.
But something was missing.
"Hey! Where's Rachel?" I asked.
