I ran around the neighborhood. Thump! I looked up above me, only to see my best friend, Kennedy, standing above me.

"Hey, Alli!" She yelled.

Kennedy hugged me for a long, tight, hug.

"Long time, no see." I mumbled.

"How long has it been?" Kennedy asked confusingly.

"A week." I replied honestly.

"I wish we weren't going back to school tomorrow, right?" Kennedy asked.

"Right." I replied just to hide the fact I was abused.

Kennedy paused for a moment and stared up at the sky.

"My parents are flying to Alaska right now." Kennedy told me.

"Why aren't you going?" I asked.

"I don't want to." Kennedy replied.

I nodded.

"Why don't you tell me about your parents?" Kennedy asked.

"Not allowed." I lied.

"You always told me before your mother died." Kennedy told me with confusion.

"I know." I said.

"Why don't you tell me now?" She asked.

She paused a second.

"What's that burn on your face?" Kennedy asked.

I'm busted. I'm busted. Will I spill it? No, I won't. I hope not.

"Ran into the stove." I lied.

"Are you sure?" Kennedy asked.

I nodded. I'm a good liar. A very good liar. I'm thankful for that.

Kennedy examined my face.

"What's going on a at home, Alli?" She asked.

"Nothing. Just clumsy." I replied.

"I know it's not that." Kennedy replied.

I just shrugged.

"Tell me what's going on. I will wait until you do. I know something's fishy about your home life. When you're ready to tell me, tell me." Kennedy mumbled.

"Okay." I replied.

"Alli, let's go swimming." Kennedy said.

"In our clothes?" I asked.

"Isn't that the only fun way to do it?" Kennedy asked.

"I guess." I replied.

Kennedy and I ran to the pool in her backyard and dived in. Me first, then Kennedy. I swam the breast stroke for a few lengths and then the free style. I suddenly felt a liquid. It was coming out of the burn next to my bottom lip. It was puss. It slowly came out of my lip. Soon, I had to get out of the pool because of it. I wore a pair of Kennedy's clothes home.

Once I reached my house, I saw Father's car pulling in. I ran through the gates just before Father arrived. When Father arrived, six other people were with him. Some were family friends, some were his colleagues, some were aunts and uncles.

"Let's have empanadas." Father said to the crowd.

Dara, Laura's sister, tried one.

"These are so good!" Dara exclaimed, "Who made them?"

"I did." Father lied.

"Thanks, Franklin." Dara said to father.

"Do you miss Samantha?" Laura asked, referring to Mom.

"Yes." Father replied.

I ran up to my room to have some privacy. I put Neosporin on my burn and took a shower. In the shower, the warm water slightly touched the cuts and burns, but it made me feel much better after being abused this morning. After I changed into my pajamas, I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door, ready to have my beating. I saw Laura, standing at the door.

"Allison?" She asked.

"Hello, Laura." I replied.

"Dara's dating your Father." Laura said to me.

Oh my God. I couldn't breathe. If Dara dated Father, Father would show her his true colors. Is Dara a cruel woman who beats her own children? I hope not. Laura rubbed her bony hand on my back. Laura examined my face.

"Allison, are you okay?" Laura asked.

"Yeah, just clumsy." I replied with the same answer that I gave Kennedy.

"If you need me, just call me, okay?" Laura asked.

"Okay." I replied. She tucked me in under the covers, turned out the lights, and left the room.

I fell asleep ever so soundly.