Pain.

Pain is an uncomfortable feeling that tells you something may be wrong. It can be steady, throbbing, stabbing, aching, pinching, or described in many other ways. Sometimes, it's just a nuisance, like a mild headache. Other times it can be debilitating.

Mine is indescribable. I feel like I've been cut deep open and my organs have been replaced with thorns. I'm still on the floor, my body soaked with my sweat & blood.

Slashes across my skin, my breathing can be heard across the room. I'm in a mess. I couldn't call, he's my father, he would be in jail because of me, & if they came? He would have killed me first then himself. I didn't want to die. I don't think I deserve that.

I heard footsteps approaching my room, I didn't dare move I just laid there lifeless. The door to my room opened and I heard someone growl.

"Get up!"

It's him! Help me, God.

"I can-n't" my voice croaked.

He seemed to be eyeing me because I could feel his gaze on my back. He huffed in annoyance and exited my room.

I laid there shaking. School is today. I don't think I can go in this. I can't, it would just raise a lot of questions. He came back an hour later and kept staring at my back. Then I felt him kneel by my side and I was curious to know what he intends doing. He placed his hand at my back inspecting the wounds and when he reached to touch it, I was squirming and wriggling in pain.

"Hold still or I'll leave you to die." He hissed.

I stopped wriggling underneath his touch and felt him clean my wounds. Wait what? He's cleaning my wounds? He's caring for me? When did that start?

It hurts a lot, he damped the wounds with a piece of cloth with water. He cleaned me round dabbing and wiping. Cleaning the blood off me.

"Stand up." He ordered.

I tried and he helped me up. Wow, what has gotten into this heartless man.

I wanted to say it hurts, the way he assisted me to walk crushed my wounds. He leads me to the bathroom and stripped me. I'm naked in front of my dad?! I'm dying of embarrassment!

He put me in the bathtub, Oh no please not a shower! and turned on the water. Ugh!

It was warm but the way it splashed on my wounds were like thorns piercing it further.

He washed the wounds and I winced every now and then earning a spiteful look from him. Geez! I'm allowed to feel pain okay!

He washed it clean cleaning the dried blood from my body. "You look like a mess." He looked at me with disgust. The mess you created you bastard!

He finished cleaning me and he led me to the room placing me on my bed. He took a towel & dabbed me neat. After he applied an antibiotic, a small coating of Neosporin to my wounds using a cotton bud with a Q-tip.

After what seemed like years, years of excruciating pain! He finished and applied the bandage and left me alone in the room again!

Honestly, I felt relieved. The shower, the ointment, everything made me feel relieved. He came half an hour later with

Oh

My

Gawd!

Food?!

He actually brought food for me? Who knew the devil could be nice. He slammed the tray on the bed.

"Eat." He ordered.

I sat up wincing from the pain and took a spoon of oatmeal in my mouth. I was starving! I kept on eating and he watched me. It was quite creepy though.

I finished the food and he cleared the plate. Am I dying? Is this why he is so nice? Or maybe he is dying. That would be good though.

"I don't want your pathetic ass out of this house. Don't go to school and I want no visitors. Do you understand?"

I nodded.

"Answer me when I talk to you dimwit!" He yelled.

Oh yeah here's the dad I know!

"Ye-s S-ir" I stuttered, not because I was scared but because I was weak.

He left my room and I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up some hours later and saw I was naked. I need some clothing. So I stood up and walked sluggishly to the wardrobe picking underwear and a short. I could wear a top because I didn't want it touching my wound.

I laid on the bed with my chest on it and grabbed my phone switching it off immediately.

I do not want Paige or anyone to call me.

Kyle is the reason for all this though. If he didn't take me out yesterday I wouldn't have gotten beaten. But to be honest, yesterday wasn't that bad. I got my first kiss from Kyle!!!

I'm screaming internally. Even though it wasn't a kiss but who cares it was still on the lips. Our lips freaking touched!

I'm sure I'm blushing crazy now. The adventure in the water and all. It was memorable.

It wasn't half bad and he isn't bad too. Lilia remember he's a player, he uses girls! For who knows I might even be his victim. Ugh! Why did he have to be so cute!

Cute Baddie!

And Lia? What a cool nickname. I've never had someone call me Lia. It feels so special. Lia, Lia, Lia. It's almost like I can hear my name roll off his lips.

After imagining so much rubbish, I decided to sleep again. My day was full of sleep and snoring. I'm just kidding, I don't snore.

Kyle's POV

Three days have passed since I saw Lilia. It's kind of weird. I don't see her in school and her friend Paige doesn't know her whereabouts. Could it be she's freaked out about me liking her? or what if it's because she doesn't like me back?! Nahhh! That's not possible. What's there not to like about me. I'm Kyle Rogers dammit!

For some weird infatuated reason, I kept thinking about Lilia ever since the first day I dropped her off, plus our little thing at the lake. She was actually the only girl to ever enter my car that I've never had sexual relations with.

I'm sincerely worried and I've called her number but it's switched off but I don't know if I should go to her house. She seemed really shaky when it comes to her dad. I wouldn't want her to be in any trouble.

But what if she relocated? Oh no! No! That shouldn't happen she's the first girl I've liked & I don't want her to go.

I mean I know I have little regard for love and all but whenever I see her, I just feel like protecting her. Her small fragile body. So petite.

I never even knew I liked her from the start. I've been seeing her in school for some years now and I was quite curious about her but I just noticed ever since I saw her at the back of the school crying, something drew me to her. She just has these cute cuddy eyes.

School has just been boring. I can't see her in school to stare at her and make her smile more. It's fucked up.

Lilia's POV

Its been three days since the incident. Three days I've been crammed in this house doing nothing but watching TV and cleaning. I can walk without wincing and the wounds are starting to heal up. My dad cleans up the wounds every morning and he's still surprisingly 'nice'.

Now I'm on the sofa watching a crappy cartoon of rats. Why the hell would kids watch this stuff? Don't they know its unreal and rats are not as nice as they portray in this cartoon? They are destructive little pes-

My thoughts were disrupted by a knock on my door.

At first, I was hesitant to answer the door because it might be a burglar or something since I'm not expecting anyone and dad don't come until late in the evening.

I dragged my feet to the door and looked through the hole; a girl? Who is she? She knocked again & I decided to open the door.

"Hello!" She chirped.

Why the fuck is she loud

"Hello, can I help you?"

"I'm Amira, from your history class."

Amira? History? I don't think I remember but she does look familiar.

"We had a project last year on the 9/11 attacks?"

Oh, now I remember her!

"Oh! Amira hi, but why are you here anyway?" I asked, inspecting her surroundings.

"Well, I noticed you haven't been to school so I decided to visit."

Someone apart from Paige noticed my absence? Wow!

"Well, uhm thanks. I haven't been feeling really well." I lied. Well technically I didn't lie, I'm not feeling well I just didn't tell her why.

"I figured. Plus you look kinda pale."

I couldn't help but scratch the back of my neck.

"Yeah, I guess," I mumbled.

"Well, I brought something for you. It's my mom's homemade chicken soup and although I didn't know what kind of sickness you have, this soup works really well," She smiled.

It wasn't until she mentioned it that I noticed she had a cooler in her hand the whole time. Besides Chicken? Who doesn't love that?!

"Thanks," I said as she handed the cooler over.

"Would you mind if I come in for a while?"

Now, this is where I got defensive.

"Why?" I frowned.

"Well, my mom always says it's cool to keep a sick person company."

Well she's right, I'm quite bored and tired of watching crappy cartoons but still, I don't know her well and what about dad? I don't want a broken rib tonight. But she had pleading eyes and looked like she couldn't hurt a fly.

"Fine, come in," I said stepping aside.

Minutes have passed and damn I'm loving this homemade chicken. Her mom cooks so well! And the chicken is really huge. I haven't had this kind of food in forever. This is life.

"Are you enjoying it?" Amira asked.

"You bet! Thanks so much."

"Your welcome," she smiled. "So in history class Mr Stevens did roll call."

I dropped the spoon. I don't go to school and he decides to do a roll call?! What is heck is wrong with that sucker?! Roll calls add to your CA and now that I'm absent, I have lost 5%.

"So what am I going to do now?" I asked completely forgetting the delicious soup.

"Well... I might have helped with that." she trailed off.

"I don't get."

"Well while Mr Stevens did the roll call when it got to your name he was looking down at the paper so I answered for you."

I opened my mouth in shock.

"You ans-answe-red for me?" I stuttered. I can't believe it, why is she so nice.

"Yep and he didn't know so your 5% is saved girl," Amira grinned.

I couldn't help but laugh. Oh my! I could kiss her right now. I'm not a lesbian and all but I'm so happy. Even Paige wouldn't have done that.

"Thank you so much you a lifesaver!" I screamed.

"You welcome friend," she chuckled.

Friend? I just made a new friend. Oh! I'm doing like a thousand cartwheels in my head!

We talked and laughed so hard over silly things. Honestly, I've never been so happy with anybody, not even Paige. She says silly things that I can't help but laugh about.

Sadly she had to go home but she promised she would visit tomorrow. I can't wait. Don't be happy Lilia. Yeah, I should be joyous. Yahoo!!! I made a cool friend today!

                                                                                     ***

It's been five days now and Amira has been coming to keep me company after school and I've learned some interesting facts about her though. She's a Muslim and from Pakistan, she loves Oreos and Nutella, she's 5'5 and an average student and plus she's beautiful!

"Hey Lilia!" Amira sang while entering the living room.

"Heyo!" I called from the laundry room. I've been so comfortable with Amira lately.

"Look what I got you," She said entering the laundry room. I looked up from the washing machine and saw Chocolates! Yasss!!!

I ran to her grabbing the bag of chocolates and staring at it with so much joy. Actually, I told her I love and adore chocolates but I never knew she would bring them to me today!

"Amira! You're the best!" I ran to hug her. Well, my back is healed now and I feel good all thanks to Amira.

We are seating now on the sofa talking while eating chocolates. I reached to grab some chocolate from the bag and forgot my back was exposed. I remembered that and quickly straightened myself. I looked at her and I knew she saw the scars.

"Well I fell so-" I started but she interrupted me.

"I know so don't try to hide it."

"What?"

"I know about your dad Lilia I'm not dumb you know"

"How did y-"

"Last year during the project, when I stayed late at your house and he saw me. You taught I had left but I heard everything, the beatings, your screams. That's when I knew what a monster he was."

I just stared blankly. I didn't think anyone could find out. I remember that day though, the beating, I begged him and told him it was a school project but he said he didn't want anyone in the house and I was well aware. I tried to explain but I was awarded a sting on my cheek. So horrific.

"D-id you t--ell anyon--e?" I had my finger to my lip as I stuttered.

Amira sighed, "Not yet, I wanted to be sure and get more info I guess."

I could breathe. I don't want to report my dad because I'm giving him a chance at repentance. I don't want to have to send my father to jail and tell my kids about it. I think I'm just so used to him being around and hitting me. If he leaves I don't think I'd survive a day not being hit. It's like I've gotten used to the sting. It stayed silent for a few minutes until she spoke again.

"You know you should report this. I can help you if-"

I cut her off immediately, "No!" I don't want anyone involved. I'm perfectly fine!" I spat.

Amira stared at me knowing she shouldn't push it any further.

She rose to hug me whispering in my ear. "I'm here for you."

Chapter 9 is concluded, peeps!

I know y'all have questions about the new character Amira and all.

Like who is she?

Does she actually care for Lilia?

Thank God someone understands what Lilia goes through.

Kyle has declared his feelings!

The picture above is of Amira played by Aisha Linnea.

I update every day by 8:30pm!