Whispers of Belonging

when I woke up. Unfortunately though, I grew used to his

and physically. He eventually grew weary of using his hands and switched

't do anything th

yes. I didn't get enough sleep the night before, so

bed, which was essentially an old, filthy cushion. After my quick shower, I put on

e last day of high school. The main reason I was mentally unfit to end

Even though I knew it would be pointless to try to avoid seeing Raymond fir

was the only obstacle. I was unable to break free of his hold on me.

locked in the attic for a week without food or water. I remember wanting to die, even though I had no i

killing myself. I wouldn't take my own life by doing it. I would rather die naturally or be kille

n't alw

y stern face. I detested him. I wanted to show up to my last day of school lookin

e was capable of smiling. When was the last time I had seen his happy face? My grey eye

. I found out the hard way that he detested it when I took my ey

home. I paled when he said, "I want you to make a good din

curse my luck, and it could have been worse since he didn't touch me. In case he d

was a calm morning, and I hadn't felt this renewed in years. I enjoyed the cold weather because it kept

ents. I missed my childhood and the small town where my parents still resided. They were my gu

y to support him, he took good care of me. Our parents had money set aside for us in case of an emergency, so money

brother should be. One day, everything went wrong, and I had no idea

h my school door as I returned my attention to the road. With the assistance of my legs, I quickly floor

iguez. I really didn't pay attention. She gently

me; I'm fine. But

"Yes, and g

e final day?" she asked, grinning, and I chuc

cerely, I confessed. To be more precise, it was my first home because the o

on behind closed doors. I kept it a secret from everyone, including my c

" she asked, her brown hair bouncing up and down as she jumped, her big black eyes dancin

allways, other students and teachers greeted me. I wasn't the popular student with the fl

g and running during my freshman year of high school. Since sports were conducted inside school prem

we walked into the final music lesson. Good morning, Willow

omas, enquired. Joana laughed at the imp

ty of students moaned when he said, "Since this is your last day here, I want every one of you, ladies and gentlemen, to share your thoughts about your future." Although talking a

aking. He was going to have guests, so I had to come up with a really ni

a few of my rips. I experienced bruises on my stomach for over a month. Despite my state of disarray, he declined to accompa

er day, but Ava called as she touched my shoulder. I alm

es

r me to get up and start talking, based on the way I looked

. tha

"Willow, could you please share yo

her students in the class. I started talking, "High school was great," a

it, I replied. It served as my refuge from Raymond. "Everyone agrees that Joana is one of my favorite teachers and that your classes are fantastic. You would always say that we need to love the rain in order to have a rainbow. I appreciate you sharing this saying because I used to think of it anytime I felt angry

ng a homely fe