Originally published: February 15, 2016

***warning! This chapter contains violence and abuse. If this can trigger something I advise you not read this chapter!***

Connor's POV

After school, I walked to the art club. I was kind of excited and nervous at the same time. Butterflies were fluttering around in my stomach. What if I get there and everyone stares and starts talking about me?

Oh no. I'm not going to let that happen today. I'm getting tired of being picked on. I'm not going to let what happened at my old school happen here. I was always bullied in my last school. I had only had one friend. He was really kind and really cute and I had a crush on him. But one day he found out about my crush and started bullying me as well.

Before I knew it I was standing in front of the art club. I take a deep breath before opening the door.

"Hey, Connor! I knew you'd be here." A voice says. I look to see Jasper walking towards me. "Hi, Jasper." "So, today we're designing a banner and flyers for the school's spring dance. We still have some time until then but we like to be ready for when it gets here." He smiled.

"Cool." I smile back. "First, let me introduce you to everyone." He grabbed my wrist and lead me to a group of people huddle around a table omg he back of the room. "Everyone, meet Connor." Everyone turned towards me. "Hi." I waved shyly. "Hello," they all said in unison.

"I'm Sandra." A girl with brown hair and freckles said shaking my hand. "I'm George." A boy with dirty blond hair said also shaking my hand. "And I'm Jeremy." Another boy said. He was tall and had long white hair pulled back into a pony tail. He was wearing headphones and had a serious expression on his face. "It's nice to meet you all." I look over at everyone.

"Well, let's get started everyone." Jasper clapped his hands and we all started working. It was the most fun I had in a while.

•••

"Good job everyone." We all looked over our work. "So, we all know our jobs right?" We all nodded. I was going to working with Jeremy to make the flyers while Sandra, George and Jasper were going to work on the banner."

"Okay then. Everyone can go home." Jasper dismissed and everyone got their things together and left the room.

I was walking down the sidewalk home when my phone started to ring. I checked the caller ID and saw it was my dad. I immediately decline. Shit, he's going to kill me.

I get home and the front door quickly opens and my drunk dad is at the door. "Get your ass in here!" He slurred. I walked inside as he slammed the door shut behind me. "Where were you?" He yelled. "I was at an art club meeting."

He yanked me by the hair towards him. "You don't go anywhere without telling me. Got it?" He got all in my face, I could smell all the alcohol in his breath. "Yes," I say quickly as he lets go of my hair and punches me in the stomach. I fall on the ground and he starts to kick me. "You good for nothing child! It's all your fucking fault!" I started to sob as he continues to kick me in the stomach. I started to cough up blood.

He stops and spits before walking away. This is how life has been for me for the last few years. Ever since my mom died he has done this. She died when I was born so he blames me for it. At first, it was just him yelling. Then, it went onto him hitting me with belts. But he never started really punching and kicking me until I was about 13.

He walks into the living room and sits on the couch. I hear him open another bottle of beer. I struggle and stand before stumbling to my room and shutting and locking the door. I sit on my bed and continue sobbing.

Why? Why me? Why'd this have to happen to me?