Heaven

"Wake the hell up!" my dad yanked me out of bed, onto the floor

My breathing sped up, I was in shock from being woken up.

"Didn't I tell yo' ass not to miss that bus!" he pulled his arm back, getting ready to release a punch

"That's the bus for another school" I quickly covered my face

"Huh?" he put his hand down

"T-That's the bus f-for the kids who go to school across town. Someone-Someone told me yesterday" I kept my hand near my face

"Well I'm still beating yo' ass for not telling me sooner" he began punching on me

I curled into a ball, but that didn't seem to block any of the hard jabs. I was tired of putting on makeup to cover my bruises, it didn't work that well anyway.

"Now get up and go get ready." he said before slamming my door

I limped up and to the bathroom. I had a cut under my eye from his nail, my jaw was throbbing with pain, and my lip- that was already busted- was worse.

I could hear my dad yelling and beating my mom as I got ready. I sped up my process so I wouldn't have to hear it. I walked into the kitchen to grab a granola bar.

"Hi sweetie, want breakfast?" my mom smiled

It's as if she couldn't see or feel what I saw on her face at this moment. Her nose and mouth were bleeding, her eye was black, scars were everywhere. I couldn't bare to even look at her.

"N-No thanks. I gotta get to school. I love you" I turned my head away from her, beginning to cry a little

I quickly walked out the door, fanning my tears so they wouldn't mess up the makeup. I reached Keyona's house and knocked on the door.

"Hey girl, come on in" she opened the door

"I'll just stand out here" I fiddled with my hands

"It's freezing out here, come in" she gently pulled me inside

"We're gonna' be late for school" I wrapped my arms around myself

"We don't gotta' start walking till 7:15. We got 15 minutes" she shrugged, walking off

I followed, hesitantly

"Want some breakfast?" she asked

The aroma of sausage and pancakes filled my nose.

"No thank you."

"You sure?" she asked

"Yes" I nodded

"Alright let me go grab my bag and we can go" she said before jogging upstairs

A few seconds later she came back down.

"Ok let's go" she smiled

*

I walked into first block and sat in the seat I was in yesterday. Chantelle and a few of her friends made smart remarks as I took a seat.

"Probably ain't never had a nigga" Chantelle giggled

"She can hear you" another laughed

"I don't care. She not gone do shit" Chantelle said loudly

"Alright class, settle down" Mr.Whitley entered

Everyone got quiet and class began.

*
"Miss Barnes you're late" Ms.Brooks, my third block teacher, said

"I-I'm sorry I forgot where the class was" I said as I handed her my tardy excuse

"Well tomorrow be here on time" she looked up at me

"Yes ma'am" I nodded before heading to my seat

*

"Aye, Heaven wait up" Christopher jogged over to me

"Yes?" I didn't make eye contact

"Wanna sit with me at lunch?" he asked

"I'm fine" I declined

"Alright well, I'm only a few tables away if you change ya' mind" he smiled before walking off

He was so cute, but I can't get to friendly with him or any other boy for that matter. If my dad found out he'd kill me, literally.

"Heaven, over here" Keyona called as I entered the cafeteria

I walked over to where she was and sat across from her.

"I seen you talking to Chris on the way in" she smirked

"Who?" I asked

"The boy you were just talking to" she chuckled

"He just wanted to know if I had a dollar" I shrugged, lying through my teeth

"Oh really" she began laughing

"Yes. What's funny?" I asked, confused

"Chris doesn't eat lunch. Never has, he always eats chips and shit like that, which is free" she chuckled

"Oh..." I fiddled with my hands

"So what were y'all really talking about?" She smirked

"He asked me if I wanted to sit with him at lunch" I shrugged

"And you said no" she stated

"I don't know him"

"Go get to know him, y'all would be cute" she wiggled her eyebrows

"My parents are strict, I can't talk to boys" I said

"They're not in school with you" she giggled

"I know but I-I respect them"

"Oh...well that's our cue to head to last block. Meet me at the same spot as yesterday" she picked up her trash and books, walking off

I was easily warming up to Keyona, I've never not stuttered with a person so fast. She was a cool person from my perspective.

I started walking to last block by myself, not really knowing where I was going.

"You remember where it's at?" Christopher's voice said from behind me

"You scared me and no" I held my chest

"My bad, we can walk together though" he said

I nodded and we began heading to class

"You always this shy and quiet or is it just because you new?" He asked

"I guess I'm always like this" I shrugged

"Well you don't gotta' be shy around me." He smirked

I didn't know how to respond so I just nodded.

We finally reached our class, I went in and sat down.

"Hello everyone. Ready to get started?" Ms.Gardner asked

Everyone responded with a yes and she began teaching.

*

"Wanna come over tomorrow?" Keyona asked as we walked home

"I gotta help my mama with something" I lied

I wasn't allowed to have friends either. My mom didn't mind me having friends, but my dad didn't want me to have any so she had no choice but to follow his orders.

"Well, see ya" she waved goodbye before we went our separate ways

I made it on time today, actually a few minutes earlier.

"How was school?" My mama asked as I entered

"It was fine" I met up with her in the kitchen

"I seen you walking with that girl." She stated

"She's a really nice person, mama" I said

"She may be, but you can't talk to her anymore. If your father finds out who knows what he'll do" her voice sounded tired

"But mom-" I tried to explain

"I already said what I had to say." She hushed me

"Fine" my face saddened

"Go up to your room, he'll be home any minute now"

I got my book bag and walked upstairs with tears running down my face. This isn't life, life is supposed to be full of excitement and a few bumps in the road. In my case, all I had was sadness and pain.

Chris's view is coming next chapter.

I'm going to elapse the time, just like 2 weeks ahead.

Leave feedback though 😊

-Carlisha