9.new beginnings

It's been two weeks now.

Everyday is almost the same.He picks me up,sits next to me in class,we eat lunch together then he takes me home.

When I'm too quiet he gets angry,so every now and then I make conversation.

Since we started 'dating' he's never late for class.He hasn't raised his voice at me or done anything inappropriate.

I don't understand why he's like this.

I could tell someone's secret was out.Everytime there's new gossip people form these groups.

Everyone kept looking at me and it was making me uncomfortable.

"What's wrong"

Liam hardly spoke so everytime he did I'd be caught off guard.

"Why are they looking at me?"

He takes my hand and pulls me towards the sports field.We sit at the bench next to the basketball court.

I think this is the first time he's held my hand.

"They found out about you"

My heart started beating really fast.I don't know what they know but it can't be good.Why can't I catch a break.

"Whaat"

"That your father is in prison because he assaulted you and your mother"

I suddenly felt dizzy.My heart kept beating faster and faster.I heard one of them say something like that poor thing

at the time I didn't know what they were talking about.

It's me.I'm the poor thing.The helpless girl.Defenseless.Pathetic

"Elizabeth,breathe.Elizabeth!!"

"I ccant"

"Yes you can.Focus on my voice.I know it feels like you're suffocating,like you're trapped and you can't get out but you can.

You're stronger than it"

"No,I'm nnot.I'm weak,useless.All I did was take it.Everyday,I never tried to fight back I just sat there and took it"

"You are anything but weak.A weak person would have given up long before you."

"You don't even know me,you think you do but you don't.None of you know me.I'm alone"

At this point I felt like I was going to pass out.I couldn't breathe,the more I tried to the more suffocated I felt.I couldn't hold back the tears.

"You hate the colour of your hair because you think its basic

You prefer tea over coffee because it calms you

You love old music because it makes you feel alive,like you're part of something bigger

You bite your lip when you're nervous

You live in your head more than you do outside it

And you're are not alone.not anymore"

He held my cheek in his hand and made me look at him.I hadn't noticed we were standing till now.My breathing was level now.I couldn't believe he noticed all that about me.

He rested his forehead against mine.Our lips brushed against each other every so often.I was sure he was going to kiss me.I wanted him to.And he did,just on the forehead