Chapter 1

                                    

                                          
I sat behind the bleachers and waited to be found I knew I should try a better hiding place but this was the last place I could try. School had ended 4 hours ago but I was still here because I was too afraid to go home and face them. But I knew the janitor would find me and toss me out of the school and I would be forced to go home. Home is hell and school is hell but at least at school I get ignored mostly because no one really knows I exist even the teachers forget about me. I slip into the shadows and I have grown use to that but at home there are no shadows to slip into. My parents are waiting to punish me any chance they get hopefully only my mom will be home it is easier to hide what she does to me. As expected the janitor found me and tossed me out of the school. Virgil if I find you in this school again after hours I will get you suspended you are lucky I have not called the cops on you he called to me as I ran down the street. I would have to take the long way home I walked slowly trying to avoid what I knew was coming the longer I took the worse it would be but I could not make myself walk faster. I walked up to my house and took a breath I can do this I thought to myself. But I already knew I couldn't there was no point in lying to myself I walked inside anyway. Look who's finally here my dad called from his usual spot on the couch what were you doing your boyfriend you gay freak. I winced great it was my dad. No dad I just had to stay after school. Your so pathetic Virgil what were you really doing. Nothing dad I promise. Get over here my dad called out and I timidly walked up to him. He stood up so he was towering over me and punched me. I knew it was coming but I still fell over and he started kicking me in the ribs. Your a worthless slut I bet you let the whole football team screw you. I just laid there and let him kick me it would be over faster this way. He soon got bored and delivered one final kick to my stomach that knocked the breath out of me. Your so pathetic no wonder no one can stand you. And he left the room saying he was going out. My mom came into the living room and looked down at me with a smug look on her face I knew she found joy in seeing me in pain but I would never understand why. She threw an ice pack at me and said go to your room and make sure your face does not swell or you will pay for it tomorrow. I ran to my room and shut the door I put the ice on my face and lay on my bed. Life is pointless I don't even know why I try anymore no one cares and it would not matter if I was not here. I turned over and fell into a restless sleep. I woke up to a banging on my door and had enough time to sit up before my mom barged in to my room. Get up deadbeat you have school and take a shower we don't want people to think you are homeless. I went into the bathroom and began my daily routine I have to shower in 5 minutes and then the water gets turned off if I am ready or not. I went downstairs and my younger brother Parker was sitting at the table. He is everything my parents want in a son which means he is nothing like me no one said anything as I walked into the kitchen which I was grateful for I would rather be ignored. I left the house quickly and started to go to school I soon realized someone was following me. I turned around and I saw who it was Derek my school bully I turned around and sprinted to the school. He ran and caught up to me with no problem. He grabbed me and turned me around were are you going he smiled at me and I knew he was going to hurt me. He punched me in the gut with was still sore from my dad and when I fell he kicked me right in the face. There was blood dripping down my face by the time he left I made my way to the bathroom and looked in the mirror I was a mess. Derek and my dad had done this to me I grabbed a paper towel and started to wipe my face I barely noticed when I started crying. The bathroom door opened and I saw a boy about my age walk in I looked at him terrified he was going to hurt me more. He looked at me and concern flashed in his eyes what happened to you he asked. I backed away from him scared he was going to hurt me. Nothing I said quickly I knew he did not believe me but I also knew he was only be polite. I'm fine I said hoping that would be enough for him to leave me alone. His eyes narrowed and he said you are obviously not fine but you don't have to talk about it if you don't want too I'm Patton he said. Are you new Patton asked me. No I have gone here since kindergarten. That's weird Patton said I have never seen you before. No one really notices me I said and then instantly wished I hadn't great now he would feel pity for me. But when I looked at him all I saw was surprise and shock. Do you need help cleaning up he asked me. I shrugged at him and he smiled and grabbed a paper towel and started dabbing my face. You should really go see the nurse you might have a concussion he said. I'm fine Patton I told him we stood in silence after that as he cleaned my face as soon as he was done I said a quick thanks and left quickly. That was weird I thought to myself as I hurried to my locker but it was kind of nice talking to someone who was nice to me. I walked to my first period class with Patton on my mind I quickly pushed the nice thought away as I got tripped by one of Derek's friends I knew I could not afford to get my hopes up after all no one could ever like me Patton only helped me out of pity and I had to remember that. I continued to class trying to think of anything but Patton and I failed miserably.