Chapter 21

"Cause girl you're perfect" Janet sang

"Oh no" I groaned putting my head in my hands

We had History class. The teacher was teaching something really important about the world war II but I couldn't listen because Janet and Keisha decided to practice their horrible singing skills behind me.

"Can you guys stop please" I begged

"Nope" Keisha said

They continued singing. I shook my head. I have the worst friends. I wasn't even planning on listening anyway. I spent the whole period daydreaming about me and Harry's cuddle session last night.

Unfortunately I had to leave before my dad noticed anything. I'm glad Harry and I are good again.

I was so grateful when the bell rang. I packed my books and my bags then exited the classroom. I went to my locker and started putting things in.

''Mm well if it isn't Virgin Mary''

I knew it was Brooke

''What do you want?''

I turned around to face her

''I like your outfit you look cute" she said with a fake smile

I pulled out water from my bag and took a sip

''Thanks, where's your group of minions?'' I asked.

I wasn't used to seeing her alone. She was always with a group of stupid girls

''I told them to take a break''

''How nice of you'' I said sarcastically

''I actually wanted to talk to you''

''About?''

''I saw your post on Instagram yesterday with a guy named Harry"

''You're just seeing that now?"

"Yes, how do you know him?"

"None of your business"

I was about to walk away but she blocked me. I groaned

''Oh God, leave me alone'' I pleaded

''Not until you answer my question. I've heard about him. Amanda you have to stay away from him. Not like I care about you or anything but still"

I got irritated immediately when she said that. I'm so tired of people telling me bad things about Harry and how I should stay away from him.

"I'm not a kid okay? I know what I'm doing"

"I doubt you do"

''I will pour this water in your face if you don't move''

''Do it. I dare you''

I dumped the whole bottle on her.

How dare she talk about Harry like that? Why are people quick to judge someone they don't know?

"Never speak about him like that again!" I said

"You little bitch. He's fucking you, isn't he?"

She lunged at me but I pushed her back

''Don't test me Brooke''

''Or what? You're gonna pray for God to punish me''

I slapped her.

It was at that moment i had realized, I've had enough.

Enough insults

Enough scrutiny

Enough of people testing me and expecting me not to react because my father is a pastor

I don't know how to explain it but something in me just went off. Everyone has a limit and I think I've reached mine.

She was about to attack me until a teacher stopped us.

''STOP!''

Everywhere became dead silent

''What's going on here?'' He asked

''Nothing sir'' I said

''Then why is Brooke wet?''

''I-I''

''She poured water on my designer clothes. My outfit could buy your life and I'd still have enough change to keep me for as long as I live''

He looked at me with disgust

"Fighting is against our school rules. You of all people should know about that Amanda. Your father will be so disappointed"

''Please don't tell him'' I begged putting my face in my hands

''Oh I won't''

I put my hand on my chest sighing in relief

''Thank you''

''You will''

My eyes widened

---

"You did what?!" My dad screamed

The teacher sent me straight home to report myself. He wanted to take me to the principal and that would mean immediate suspension or expulsion but he didn't because of my dad and his influence on the school.

So here we were. My dad, my mom and Tyler all seated in the living room

I stood there taking in all the ridicule my dad threw at me

"Violence is a sin Amanda. I preach this every day!" He screamed

After all this man has done, he still has the nerve to insult me. I wasn't joking when I said I had lost all respect for him yesterday.

"And so is adultery" I stated "You of all people have no right to judge me dad"

Tyler and my mom gasped

My dad's eyes turned black instantly. He stood up slowly

"What did you just say to me?" He asked quietly

"You heard me! You have no right to judge me not after all the bad things you've done"

The next thing that happened shocked me

"To your room now" he said

He wasn't even angry

I didn't bother arguing. I marched up straight to my room. No long after, he followed. He locked the door behind him. He removed his belt from his waist and aimed it at me.

That was when I started shaking in fear.

Tyler and my mom were banging on the door

"Don't do this please" my mom said, I could hear her crying from the sound of her voice

"One of the ten commandments Amanda " my dad said "honour your father and mother"

After he said that he whipped me. I screamed in pain as the hard leather hit my soft skin. I tried to run to the bathroom and lock myself in but he was too fast.

He caught me and whipped me as hard as he could, over and over again. I regretted what I said downstairs.

I didn't know he would react this way but what did I expect?

I cried begging him to stop

"This pain is nothing compared to what you will feel in hell" he said

He held me by my hand and hit me repeatedly for what felt like hours. By the time he was done, my former caramel skin was blood red.

I dropped to the floor and cried as hard as I could. He left without saying a word. Tyler rushed in and knelt beside me.

"I'm so sorry" he said

He tried to help me up but I wouldn't budge. I just want to be left alone right now.

"Please leave" I said

He did as I told him to. I got up and locked my door then searched my bag with tears in my eyes.

I brought out my phone and dialed the first person's number that came to mind

Harry

He picked up on the fifth ring

"Hey Angel"

"Harry" I sobbed

"What's wrong?" He panicked

"I need you right now please. Hurry"

"I'm on my way love"

"Thank you"

I sat down on my bed and cried, not only from the physical pain but emotional ones as well

My whole life was a lie. I had a devil for a father. I know it was wrong talking to him like that but he didn't have to beat me like a slave either

I laid down to rest my bruised body for a while. Everywhere hurt. After about thirty minutes or so I heard a tap on my window. It was Harry. I quickly got up and opened it. He entered inside

"Thank God" he said "I was scared that someone would see me. I had to bribe the guards"

I giggled

"How did you climb anyway?"

"Leave that for me to know"

He frowned when he saw the marks on my skin. He took my hand and examined it.

"Who did this to you?" He questioned angrily

"My dad"

I started crying again as I told him everything that happened starting from the fight with Brooke

"Shhh. Lie down" he said laying me on the bed. He took off his jacket then joined me.

"I'm so sorry this had to happen to you" he said. He kissed my forehead.

"Thank you for coming"

"No problem. If I kill your dad, is it murder?"

I laughed

"You'll end up in jail" I teased

"With a smile on my face"

"Oh Harry"

This boy makes me so happy

"Try and sleep love, I'm sure you're tired"

In that moment when Harry held me as I slept was when I realized this guy would probably be there for me whenever I needed him to. He was the one I called, not Jeremy. That should mean something.

At that point I made my decision

I choose Harry