The front door slammed shut, and I heard my dad yelling for me to come grab the groceries. He was home an hour earlier than usual.My heart dropped instantly.
The notebooks I'd left in the living room flashed through my mind. If he saw them, he'd get annoyed—and tear them up again. I really didn't want to borrow notes from my classmates anymore. It was awkward, and it took me an entire week just to work up the courage to ask the girl who sat next to me.I don't talk to anyone at school.I don't have friends.
I rushed to my dad, grabbed the grocery bags from his hands, dumped them in the kitchen, then practically flew into the living room to gather my notebooks.
"You keep leaving your damn junk everywhere," he snapped.
"You're such a fucking messy child."
"I'm sorry, Dad," I said quickly, my hands shaking as I collected my things, afraid he'd snap and rip them apart.I ran to my room and shoved everything somewhere safe.
Then I heard him again."Julia! Grab me a beer!"
June was already in the kitchen. He could've asked her.But no. It was always me.
I went back upstairs to finish my homework. About an hour later, June called me down for lunch.
We sat at the table, and I was starving—ready to dig in—but I had to wait for him to pray first. Otherwise, I'd be punished.
It was funny how he only remembered God when it suited him.
June had forgotten to leave broccoli off my plate. I hated broccoli. I started picking it out and pushing it to the side.
"Why aren't you eating your broccoli, Julia?" Dad asked.
"I don't like it."
"Well, eat it," he yelled.
"Don't be ungrateful. Do you know how many children would kill to be in your place?"
June stepped in quickly. "It's okay, Dad. I'll eat it."
"No," he snapped. "She eats everything on her plate. I won't tolerate this attitude in my house."
"I—I can't stand it," I said. I don't know where the courage came from.
He was on me in seconds.He grabbed my hair, his grip painfully tight, and hissed, "I'll teach you how to be grateful."
He dragged me to the back door and shoved me outside, locking it behind me. I wasn't wearing a jacket or shoes. Snow covered the ground.
"You stay out there until you learn to appreciate everything I give you," he shouted. "Ungrateful child."He didn't want the neighbors to see. That's why he used the back door. Everyone adored him. To them, he was practically a saint.
My socks soaked through almost immediately, the cold biting into my bones.Then I heard a soft whistle from above.I looked up and saw June at the window, holding my jacket and boots. She tossed them down, along with a hat and scarf, whispering for me to hang in there—she'd convince him to let me back inside.I put everything on as fast as I could. It was freezing.
I decided to go to the park across the street and sit on the swings. I knew he wouldn't let me back in for at least an hour.The park was empty. Of course it was. Who would be out in this weather?
I didn't understand why he hated me so much. He treated June just fine. I wasn't jealous—I was grateful he didn't hurt her the way he hurt me.I just wished he loved me the way he loved her.
I was lost in my thoughts when a voice snapped me back."Is playing on the swings in the snow your thing?"
I looked up.He had dark brown hair and striking blue eyes. He was... really handsome.
"What?" I said stupidly, completely mesmerized.
"Aren't you cold?"
"A little," I said, my cheeks burning as he came closer and sat on the swing next to me.
"I'm David," he said. "We moved here recently—right across the street. What's your name?"
I remembered him. He'd moved in a week ago. Everyone at school was talking about him. Transfers mid-semester were rare. He was a senior in middle school—one year older than me.
"I know you," I blurted out. "Everyone's talking about you."He smiled.
"Oh really? Didn't know I was that interesting."
Crap. Why did I say that?
"So," he said, tilting his head, "are you going to tell me your name?"
He looked at me so intently it made my stomach twist. I mean he is only 15 why he looks so mysterious and older.
"Hello?" He waved a hand in front of my face.
I flushed I always get lost with my thoughts. "Sorry. I'm Julia."
He smiled wide—bright and warm. "Nice to meet you, Julia. But seriously, what are you doing out here? It's freezing."
"I'm just... thinking."
"You look troubled," he said gently.
"Everything okay?"
My dad's a psycho who kicked me out to teach me the value of the almighty broccoli, I wish I could say that but I don't want to freak him out or think I'm a crazy
"Everything's fine," I lied. "I'll go back soon. I live nearby."
"Oh, cool. So we're neighbors." He smiled again.
He really needed to stop doing that."You go to Liberty Junior High too?" he asked.
"Yeah. Eighth grade."
"Nice. At least I'll know one face there," he said.
"Promise you won't pretend you don't know me?"
I laughed nervously. "I won't."
Honestly, he should've pretended not to know me. being with the weird loner girl. we won't fit Standing next to him would draw attention I definitely didn't want.
He went quiet for a moment, studying me."You have really beautiful eyes," he said.
If this were a cartoon, steam would've exploded from my head. My face was probably bright red.I had emerald-green eyes—no idea where they came from maybe from my mother side she was a foster child, Dad's eyes were brown. Mom's were blue, but I got the dark brown hair from my dad.
"Th-thank you," I stammered. "You're very handsome too."
Why am I like this?He didn't even say I was pretty.
He looked surprised for half a second, then smiled again. "Thanks. You're pretty too."
I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.
"I should go," he said, standing. "It was really nice meeting you, Julia. I'll see you at school."
"Nice meeting you too," I said, standing as well.
"You should head back soon," he added, concern in his voice. "You'll catch a cold."He sounded like a big brother—which was comforting... though I didn't want him to be my brother.
"I will," I nodded.He waved, smiling. "See you later, Julia. Bye."