Chapter 1

                                    

                                          
I'm just a normal 20 year old girl living a less than average life.
                          
When I was 6 years old my Mum was diagnosed with Terminal breast cancer. At the time I didn't understand what was happening.
                          
My Dad just used to tell me that my Mum was tired and that's why she was always in her room. One day I came home from school and I went upstairs to see my Mum in her room and tell her about my day. But she didn't respond to me.
                          
After that it was all a blur, my Dad picked me up and placed me outside the room. Tears welling up in my eyes, I was 6 and had not the faintest idea what was happening to my mum.
                          
After that I don't remember anything, I am able to remember but I just choose to shut it off. I don't want to remember seeing my mum carried out of her room, or her funeral.
                          
After that my Dad changed he started to drink a lot more, he would come home later from work. 
                          
At the age of 8 I taught myself how to make some food, Dad wouldn't be around to cook me anything. One night I stayed up waiting for him to return home. He finishes work at 5pm normally. However on this night I was up all night he didn't even return to take me to school.
                          
I had to hitch a ride with my neighbor's son. His name was Jake, he became my best friend. He had a Mum and she treated me like one of her own.
                          
When my Dad found out that I was spending time with Jake and Melissa (his mum) he went mad. He was smashing up the whole house. Bottles flying, he would hit me, one night he hit me so much that u couldn't move, I laid their lifeless. 
                          
That night was one of the worst nights I ad ever had.
                          
A few years later my Dad met a new woman, her name was Cathy. She was how would you put it a Slut. Only now do I understand where he got her from. The first time I met her I was 14. She was always drunk much like my Dad. 
                          
Luckily they never had a child because that woudl have ended badly. My Dad still hits me and I'm 20. 
                          
I passed my exams at school with flying colors, i could never tell anyone about what happened at home for fear of my Dad being taken away. As much as I hate him, he is the only Family I have left.
                          
My passion is to be a Singer, I taught myself to play the guitar, and I write my own songs. I know I need to leave this town and move to London so I can pursue my career, but I don't have the money.
                          
The amount of money that I have in my purse is £20. That is just enough to get me a train ticket. Not enough for me to afford anywhere to stay.
                          
All I know is that I need the chance to go to London. My only option is to ask Jake.
                          
I walk out of my house, trying to avoid my Dad and Cathy. Its 11:00am and they are both sitting in the kitchen drunk. I sneak down the stairs and out the front door. 
                          
I walk down the road and knock on Jakes door. His mum answers the door and I try to hide my black mark. Just last night my Dad hit me again. That time was the worst in ages. I have a huge purple bruise on my arm, luckily its high up and my top covers it.
                          
"Is Jake in?" I ask trying to quickly distract his Mum so she doesn't ask about my bruise.
                          
"He is upstairs I will just get him for you" She says to me then walks to their stair case. "Jake Charlotte is here for you"
                          
"Send her up Mum" Jake shouts from upstairs.
                          
I walk in and go straight up the stairs. Jakes room is the first room on the right and I walk straight in. without Knocking.
                          
"Hi Charlotte" Jake says to me. He has dark brown hair, his hair is short and he has it up in spikes. His eyes are brown a deep brown.
                          
I just run to him and collapse crying on his legs as he sits on his bed.
                          
He just comforts me he knows that whatever he says won't cheer me up.
                          
"I need to get out of here Jake" I say to him crying between each word. Sniffling I cuddle my head into his shoulder.
                          
"I know, I know...Hey, I managed to finish editing your album so its all ready to be sent."
                          
Jake and I had been working on an album, the aim was to send it off to a label and hope that they would want to meet me.
                          
"And I have enough money for you to leave today"
                          
I shot up wiped my tears and looked at him in complete shock.
                          
"You what?" I responded.
                          
"Take this" He goes into his underwear drawer and takes out some money. "It's £500 I have been saving up for you, now take this album and go to London. Don't come back until you have signed that record deal."
                          
I didn't know what to say to him, words weren't able to form in my mouth. I clasped my arms around his neck "Thank you" was all I could say.
                          
Finally something was looking up for me, life could be about to get better.
                          
I ran out of Jakes house and back into mine, ignoring the shouts from my Dad. He wanted me to come and see him. I was too busy.
                          
I grabbed my suitcase and packed all the clothes I owned, my make-up and shoes. I also packed my posters and jewelry. Before I knew it my room was empty.
                          
I grab my suitcase and turn around about to walk out the door as a huge figure stands in front of me. Blocking the exit.
                          
"Where are you going?"
                          
This was it, I wouldn't have to see him ever again, I needed to leave now I need to catch a train.
                          
"I'm going to London and you can't stop me" I go to walk past him.
                          
"I don't think so" He grabs me with both hands and throws me back against my bed. I try to show that I'm not scared, try to hide the pain and fear in my eyes.
                          
"You're mine" He hits me once..twice...three times. He then gets up knowing he has hurt me enough and walks down the stairs.
                          
My body weak, I know I have to get out now, I can't take anymore. By my bedroom window is Jakes bedroom. I can easily make the small jump onto his side roof, then climb through and be safe. 
                          
Only problem was would I be able to? Could I muster the strength.
                          
I grab my IPhone out of my pocket, ad go to text Jake. 'Hi open your window, Dad hut me again. I'm going to throw you my stuff.' 
                          
Within a few seconds Jake was at the window climbing down so I could pass him my stuff. Slowly we got the 3 bags across. 
                          
By this point I could barely stand let alone jump to safety. I could hear Jake cheering me on, wanting me to jump.  I couldn't.
                          
My body fell out of the window, sliding down the side roof close to plummeting to the floor. I felt myself drift off to sleep.
                          
Just as I reach the gutter I feel someone grab my body. Jake was lifting me up. He wanted me to help him so we both didn't fall. 
                          
It took every ounce of strength that I had left to pull myself up. I was there away from my Dad and safe, all I had to do was rest up so I could leave ASAP.