"Seriously, what do you guys have against my bank account?" Malcom complained as we sat at a booth eating our ice cream.

"Hey, you suggested the idea," I said, taking another bite of my mint chocolate chip ice cream.

"I know I did, but I didn't mean go crazy!" Malcom said, glaring at Ruben, who'd gotten about three scoops of cotton candy ice cream with a waffle cone and cookie dough chunks.

"Wait, what?" Ruben said, oblivious to the look Malcom was giving him. His mouth was stained with the vibrant blue of the ice cream.

Everyone laughed. We continued to eat, sharing jokes and stories, and just enjoying each other's company.

But, like all good things, it came time to leave. We cleaned up our area, threw out the empty containers, and once again piled into Malcom's car. We dropped off Bailey and Oliver, then headed to my house.

When we pulled up, I sat there for a moment, praying my dad was asleep. I did not want to ruin the high of the night.

"Well, thanks for tonight. I needed it." I said, turning to the guys.

They nodded, knowing why I was hesitating. My dad has never liked me, and has always made my life difficult. From what my mom told me, he wanted a boy. He never wanted a girl. So when I was born, you can probably imagine he was not happy. He didn't even come to the hospital. My grandparents were the ones who supported my mom in his place. Now here I am, sixteen years later, and he still hates me. Even more so now, because now he'll never get the chance to have the son he's always wanted. My mom passed away a couple years ago in a car crash. Sure he can always remarry, but I don't think he wants to. He seems perfectly content to make my life a living hell.

"You know you can always stay with one of us," Devon said softly, as I looked out the window, trying to work up the courage to leave the safety of my friends, and run the risk of my dad being awake.

" I know, but if I stay with you guys, then he'll be even more angry," I replied as I chewed my lip.

I stayed there for a couple more seconds, then opened the door before I could think about it. I stepped out into the chilly night, grabbed my bag, and then slammed the door behind me.

"Brooklynn!" I turned to see the passenger window open, and Ruben and Malcom looking at me. "Let us know if you need help, ok? You're always welcome to stay with us if you need," Malcom said while Ruben nodded vigorously, agreeing with his cousin.

I nodded my head in acknowledgement, then turned to the pathway leading up to my house.

I'm not one to be religious, but if I were, then I would have no doubt in my mind that god sent my friends when he did, because he knew that I would need them.

I reached the porch, pulled my key out of my bag, and unlocked the front door, letting myself in.

I closed the door as quietly as I could, and tried to make a beeline to my room before my dad could intercept me.

I didn't even get two steps away from the door when a voice spoke in the darkness.

"You're late."

I flinched as my dad stormed up to me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that they would want to get ice cream afterwards." I said quietly.

"Well, you could've had them drop you off before they went!" He yelled, his eyes blazing with fury.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, barely audible.

"You're what?" My dad growled, grabbing my hair and pulling me up.

I winced at the pain. "I'm sorry! I won't do it again."

He held me there for a count of five, glaring at me. I could smell the alcohol on his breath, which definitely wasn't helping my situation.

"I don't believe you," he said, yanking on my head, and making my whole body flare up in pain.

"Please, I swear I won't do it again," I whimpered, clawing at his hand, trying to free myself.

"I think you need a lesson to make sure that you won't think about being late again." My dad released me, and I crumpled on the floor in a heap.

I attempted getting to my feet, but my legs wouldn't support me.

I collapsed on the ground again. My dad stood over me, looking at me as if trying to figure out how many tortures he could inflict on me. I wanted to move away, to get out of there, but I knew that would only make it worse.

My dad scanned me up and down, eventually settling on my neck. He smiled darkly, and I got the feeling I knew what he was going to do.

"Dad, no, please! That's special to me!" I cried, trying to hide my necklace. 

He dropped into a crouch in front of me, and smiled moronically.

"Well, I guess you'll have to live without it then," he growled animalisticly.

My eyes widened as he grabbed my hair and pulled me up again. I started kicking, trying to get him to release me.

Then, I felt his cold hand touch my neck and grab my necklace. 

"No!" I screamed as he yanked the chain off my neck with a quick pop!

He let go of my hair, and tossed the broken chain on the ground.

I stared in horror. How could he do that?

But I knew. He never cared about me. He only saw me as an object meant to be broken.

My dad glared at me.

"Clean it up." He growled before slamming the door behind him, making me flinch.

I sank onto the ground and picked up my broken necklace. It had been a gift from my mom, right before the accident. It was a framed penny hanging on a silver chain, a reminder that I was priceless.

I gathered up the broken chain and pendant, and went to my room.

I walked to my dresser and set it down, almost reverently.

I'll get another chain for it, I thought as I turned away and made my way to my bathroom.

As I looked at my face in the mirror, I could see the tear stains running down my cheeks. My dad always knew how to get to me.

I washed my face, brushed my teeth, then headed back to my room. I changed into my pjs, and crawled into bed.

As I lay there, trying to fall asleep, I looked at the picture of my mom and I just a couple months before the accident.

My dad liked me as much as he does now, but it was tolerable, because my mom was able to keep him in check. But now that she's gone, there's no one to help me.

As I drifted off to sleep, I wondered what it would have been like if I had been born a boy.

Ok, I know I keep changing my chapters, but just bear with me. I'm trying to make this as best as I can, and I keep getting amazing