I woke up the next morning and I was oddly nervous about going to school, I got out of bed and began making breakfast, I sang Ain't it fun by Paramore as I cooked.
"We'll have less of your singing in the mornings Jessica" Dad said as he walked in. Seriously, how does he not know my name is Lauren?! I've been living here for 15 years!
"Sorry Dad" I said. I didn't feel like getting hit today. I finished cooking and handed them their breakfast and took mine to my room. I then continued with my normal routine, but curled my hair instead. I needed a change.

I went back downstairs and started washing up.
"Lauren, are you washing up?" I heard Mum shout from the sitting room.
"Yes Mum" I said. She didn't reply. When I was done, I went into the bathroom to see if I could cover up the cut on my lip with make up. I tried everything, but you could still see it. Oh well, looks like I'll have to think up another excuse. I grabbed my bag and guitar from my room and ran to the bus. I got on and sat in my usual seat, only this time someone got on at the second stop and sat next to me. I looked over and saw Jack, I smiled and he smiled back. I carried on looking out the window.
"We're not going to school today" He whispered in my ear.
"Excuse me?" I said back.
"I said we're not going to school." He replied confidently. I laughed.
"Who the fuck do you think you are, telling me what to do?" I said.
"Look, I know hardly anything about you, but what I do know is that all these cuts and bruises aren't accidental. I don't know what your problem with me is, but I'm trying to help you out here and you're pushing me away" He whisper shouted. I had to look away and squeeze my eyes shut to stop the tears from spilling over.
"No, you don't know anything about me, and I think we should keep it that way, don't you?" I said looking him dead in the eye with a sarcastic smile.
"Fine, do what you want, suffer in silence, I wanna say don't bother me again but I can't do that. I want to be your best friend, so if you ever need anyone to talk to, here's my number." He handed me a piece of paper with writing on and moved to another seat. I felt so bad doing that, but he couldn't know, no one could.

The bus pulled up at school and I got off as quick as I could and practically ran to my first lesson to avoid any questions about my lip. I sat down in my usual seat and listened to my teacher drone on about something history related. I sat back in my seat a little too fast and my back began to sting. I had to bite my tongue to stop from screaming. It stopped after a while and I put my head on the desk and thought about the conversation I had with Jack. Do I let him be my friend, or do I ignore him completely. I'll think about it later.

It was halfway through music and we were all practising when Jack came over.
"You thought about it yet?" He asked.
"Uh yeah, maybe we can be friends, but only if you don't ask about any injuries or my life at home or my parents, I'll tell you about that when I'm ready" I said. I saw him think about it for a minute.
"Deal." He said with a goofy smile. I laughed. We continued to practise until the bell rang, as I was walking out, Jack tapped me on the back. I flinched as a sharp pain ran down my spine then I stood up straight and turned to face Jack.
"Meet me at the cafeteria at lunch" He said. I nodded and walked off to art only to find we had free period. I left the class and started making faces to Jack through the window in English. He was trying so hard not to laugh, and I was laughing so much that I didn't realise the teacher had seen me and was now walking outside. I quickly ran off and hid in a bathroom. When I was sure he had gone, I sighed and walked out towards the canteen as it was 2 minutes until lunch time. I got my phone out and played angry birds while I waited.
"Hi Lauren" Jack said, coming up behind me and poked me in the ribs.
"Don't do that, I'm ticklish!" I said, he smirked and carried on tickling me I kept screaming for him to stop but he wouldn't, a few people gave us some weird looks but did we care? No. Jack's my new best friend. We agreed to meet after school and go back to his again. Now 2 more hours of hell.

I was waiting by the tree again and Jack came up to me, we had to walk today since he took the bus, the walk was more silent than anything else, we didn't really talk much when we got there I was greeted by another big hug from Joyce, I wish my mum was more like her.
"How are you Laura?" She asked.
"Her name's Lauren, Mum" Jack said.
"Oh its fine, my Dad forgets my name all the time" I said. I really regretted saying that. Jack and Joyce looked at me funny for a moment.
"Anyway, are you hungry?" She asked.
"Not really" I said, Jack agreed and then we went upstairs.
"Lauren, what did you mean by your Dad forgetting your name all the time?" He asked.
"I thought we agreed, no questions about my parents" I said.
"Fine, anyway, what do you wanna do?" He asked.
"I dunno really" I said, laying down on his bed. He layed next to me.
"I quite like this" He said.
"Yeah, me too" I replied. Before I knew it I was drifting off to sleep.

I woke up with a start and sat up. I checked the time 9pm. Shit, Dad's gonna kill me.
"Jack, wake up its 9pm I need to get home, can you drive me?" I said.
"Shit, yeah lets go." He ran downstairs and got in the car.
"Shit, Dad's gonna murder me" I said.
"I'm sure he wont" Jack said, oh but he doesn't know my Dad.
"You clearly don't know my Dad" I said, he didn't reply. We got to my house and he stopped the car.
"Good luck" He said.
"Thanks" I replied. I took a deep breath and walked in.

"And where have you been?" Dad said as I walked in.
"A friends house, sorry I'm late, we were working on a homework project together." I said.
"Oh yeah? What's your friends name then?" He asked.
"Uh, Jacqueline" I said.
"Don't fucking lie to me you bitch!" He shouted and punched me in the face. I fell to the floor and he kicked me repeatedly, until I had a cut on my forehead and a bruise on my arm and stomach. Not to mention the black eye I probably now have. When he was done he spat on me and walked off. I pulled myself off the floor and bandaged myself up, I then went up to my room and led in bed awake all night.
Why can't I have different parents?

Notes

I promise you it gets happier at some point
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