Chapter 1

RayLynn*

Waking up anymore is hard. What is the point of waking up when you just feel like killing yourself? Well, before I get ahead of myself, my name is RayLynn Mathews. I am 17 years old, and will graduate the same day as my birthday. Which is something that I am really looking forward to. For the last 2 years I have been verbally and physically abused by my stepfather. My mother does not do anything to stop him. And today like any other day I will be going to school with a shit ton of bruises on my arms, stomach and back. It is hard for me to move but I know that if I do not, I will get more beatings for not having breakfast done for my "parents". 

After finally getting up and keeping myself quiet through the pain, I make my way into my bathroom. I do not even looking in the mirror above my sink anymore. The pale crystal blue eyes and raven black hair have become dull and lifeless…this makes me sick to my stomach because I cannot recognize myself anymore. Since I have roughly 10 minutes to shower and get ready, that is just what I do. After my shower I put on the black long sleeve shirt, black sweatpants, and black converse.

I make sure that after I have breakfast completed I am out of the house and walking to school before anyone is up. Somehow I have managed to get breakfast timed to where, when I leave it will still be warm when they come down to the kitchen. But, this isn't the only place I have to deal with some sort of abuse…it happens at school as well. 

While I am walking down my driveway to the sidewalk, I see movement out of the corner of my eye. When I sneakily looked, I noticed that we had new neighbors next door. There was a boy about my age helping his father get things moved into the house. I have to admit from what I see of the boy he is quite handsome…but I am going to definitely keep my distance. I do not need someone else abusing me in anyway. So while I have my head down, I quickly walk past the new neighbors and head off to school. While walking past I can feel someone looking at me so I just pick up the pace.

******

I am still feeling sore from a couple nights ago when my stepfather decided that I didn't clean the kitchen right and proceeded to kick and punch me in my stomach and back. Everything hurts, and is black and blue. But in the next couple days they will start fading away…hopefully.

As soon as I get to school I speed walk to my locker and throw the things I do not need in it. Then went to my first class of the day.  When I get to the class, with my head down, walk to my seat in the back left corner of the room by the window. No one likes to sit beside me or breathe the same air as me so there are two empty seats. One in front and one to my left. 

Today I did not even bother taking out my notebook or pen. Instead I looked outside the window. The only thing that caught my attention was someone sitting down in the seat to my left. I instantly tensed when I felt the presence, but kept my gaze outside the window. A few minutes later my mind finally shifts to being blank and I zone out completely.

Anthony*

"Come on Anthony, the sooner we get these boxes in the house, the sooner we will be done with at least one part of moving." My dad said as he was coming back out of our new house. My dad is in his late 40s but still looks good for his age. He has the same light chestnut hair and bright green eyes as I do. Although he is 6'3", I on the other hand stand at 6'6".

"I know dad, that is the third time you have said that coming out of the house haha!" I laughed at him.

"Oh I know, I was just saying it more to myself...reverse psychology I guess?" He said embarrassed.

Just as I was about to say something to my dad, out the corner of my eye, I noticed a girl walking down the neighbors driveway. From what I can see she might be 5'6", and has raven black hair. As she walks past I notice her quickening her pace, like she knows I am looking at her. Maybe she goes to the same school? Will I have classes with her?

"Earth to my son Anthony!" My dad said amused.

"What? Oh...sorry dad."

"It is okay son. Maybe she will be at your new school. By the way she was walking it seems like she might need someone to talk to, a friend. Now that does not mean I am expecting you to be her friend, but just think about it." Dad said looking a little sad for the girl.

" I am not going to lie dad, she seems really guarded, she did not even look up. She just kept starring at the ground, like she was trying to be invisible. To me it seems she does need a friend, maybe I can be that for her." I said shrugging my shoulders.

"Well good. But anyway let's get you to school. Cannot have you late on your first day." He said while walking to the jeep.

After getting to school and getting my schedule, it seems everyone is intrigued by me. These people are something else. Already they are thinking I am a "bad boy". Haha just because I like to where dark jeans, my steel toe boots, a white t-shirt and my leather jacket does not mean I am a bad boy.

Once I get to my first period class I walk up to the teacher and let her know that I am the new student.

"Welcome! My name is Mrs. Barns. EVERYONE!! This is the new student, Mr. Thomas why don't you go ahead and introduce yourself to the class." Mrs. Barns said.

"Well like Mrs. Barns said I am a new student. My name is Anthony Thomas, I'm 18 and I want to open my own business after college." I told the class.

"Alright Anthony, go ahead and take one of the two empty seats in the back right of the class." Mrs. Barns said.

While walking to the seats left open, I seen the girl from this morning. She is absolutely stunning. From the raven black hair to those pale crystal blue eyes. Even though I can only see the side of her face I can see what looking like pain, loneliness. While looking at her my feet already guided me to the seat on her left. When I sit down she stiffens a little bit, which I find a little weird, but then she starts relaxing. Finally it seems like her mind is no longer here but in her own world shutting everything and everyone out.

Sitting here half listening to the teacher and half looking at the girl, I cannot help the feelings that I am getting. For some reason I really want to see her smile, and not look so lost. There is also the urge to protect her, but from what I do not know. However, I am going to find out.