Unfortunate Life

Before she goes home, she went to a store to buy some ice, and to a drugstore to buy some ointments.

"I need to make this disappear without a trace as soon as possible."

Right before Hale arrives home, Niki dumped all of the ice in the sink and fill it with water to the brim. She put her whole face in it like it's the best thing to cure bruises. The tingling pain from the cold is just a normal feeling for her. She wiped her swollen numb face and put some makeup to cover what's had to be covered. She then put the ointment on the slightly opened wounds on her arms, and throw an oversized hoodie.

"Why am I so powerless?" She sighed to the air. The pain throughout her body makes her unable to move like normal. Even though she's already used to having a numb face, her heart is still not.

The chimes at the door jangle as her older sister finally got home. It seems Hale did some overtime work again for today. Nikita quickly locked her room, throw herself in bed, and pulls up a blanket - silently cries from the pain. Everynight, she wishes she could just live like the others. With a complete family, with her parents comforting her, where her sister knows what's happening to her in school - what holds her back from talking?

"Niki, have you eaten?" Hale asked but no one answered. It's obvious that Niki is already home as she saw her shoes inside, so she thought Niki is already asleep and she shouldn't disturb her anymore.

The night is pitch black and dead silent, only the sound of the ceiling fan breaks the quiet. It's 2 am and her dull eyes are still open.

The next morning, Niki decided to go to school early by herself. She put the necessary make up on, and throw her hoodie once again. Her rugged bag seems carrying too much weight - as if ever a heavy blow of wind can push her to the ground with it. The spacious classroom is still empty when she arrived. She quickly unzips her bag and pulls out tons of paperworks. Checking if anyone will see, she hurriedly put the papers in Sally and Sandra's desks.

"Alright, time to go..." Niki zipped her bag and went straight to the door. When she was about to open it, someone towering appeared in front of her face. Startled with the sudden presence of a tall guy, she stepped back with her eyes dead wide opened.

"Good morning!" The guy greeted with a smile that almost made his eyes vanish. Such genuine smile that Niki had never seen before.