Chapter 3

Aria's POV

"Hello Aria, I'm Isla, Forest's Mum." A beautiful woman stood in front of me, smiling. She had waist length black hair and bright green eyes which sparkled with life, like mine used to.

I smiled up at her in hello and nodded my head at her before following Forest to his room. For weeks I had been fighting the feelings I had for him but ever since that week I was away from school my home life has been getting worse, they beat me for the slightest thing and they didn't care how I felt.

So I turned to the only person I could for support, Forest. He didn't realise how much he was doing for me but one day I would make it up to him because I knew I was a burden but where else could I turn.

Just before we reached Forest's room a man who looked almost identical to Forest, his dad, he must be, came down the stairs, "Hello, I'm Atlas. Forest's dad. It's nice to meet you Aria," I smiled up at him before following Forest into his room.

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After working on our project for a few hours his mum called him down for tea. I continue tapping away on the computer, working on the project. My dad never lets me eat with him and my brother.

"Aren't you going to come down," Forest asked me, "my mum's cooked enough food if you want some. I stared at him with my mouth hanging open. He's inviting me to eat tea with him and his family. I shake my head, no I can't, I would be interrupting his family meal.

As if reading my thoughts he said, "You wouldn't be interrupting anything, in fact my mum would love it if you stayed. I shook my head again but Forest was insistent that I join them so I follow him down stairs to the kitchen and find a seat at the table.

After having a plate full of more food than I usually got in a whole week placed in front of me at the table Forest's mum, Isla, asked me to tell them about me. I grabbed a note pad from my bag and wrote on it, passing it to Forest to read out, "My name Aria, I am 17 years old. I live with my father and brother. My mum left when I was 6."

"Are you happy?" Forest's dad, Atlas asked. I wrote again and passed it to Forest. " I have everything I need to be happy." They didn't look completely happy with my answer but sensing I didn't want to talk about it Forest quickly changed the subject.

Just then my phone buzzed with a text from my dad.

"GET YOUR BUTT HOME THIS INSTANCE YOU FUCKING BITCH!"

I flinched away from my phone but quickly remembered where I was and tried to hide it. From the look on Forest's face I didn't manage to fully hide it but he wasn't asking any questions so for that I was thankful.

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After I explained to Forest I had to get back, we arranged to work on the project in the library at lunch, since our project was in for two days from today, Friday.

As I walked in the doorway I saw my dad and brother in the kitchen, watching my every move.

"Aria, where were you, we were getting worried," my dad said with a smirk plastered on his face. As if, I doubt he's even capable of worrying, at least not for me.

"I think we need to teach you a lesson about staying out so late," My brother said while throwing and catching his pen knife.

I shook my head No please no this again, please no but they just smiled. Before I could even try to defend myself I was being punched, knocking all the wind from my lungs. I fell to the floor in pain. But it didn't stop there.

My brother brought out his knife, taking turns to run it over my skin and to punch me to keep me down. The pain was getting too much and I was going to pass out, but just before I did my dad whispered from above me, "She still hasn't learnt, we will have to take more drastic measures next time..."

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I woke up to a pile of blood, my blood and a note. It said they were going on a holiday for a few days. They would be back on Wednesday, and wouldn't be around for the weekend, and when they got back they would teach me a lesson I would never forget.

I winced with every step as I pulled my self upstairs to clean my cuts. I checked the clock on my phone, 3 AM. phew, I wouldn't be late for school.

I wouldn't usually go to school in this state but I promised Forest and every cell in my body screamed to not let him down.

I didn't know what it was about him but even when I was trying to push him away, somehow we became close anyway. He became my best friend, without me even knowing it. My only friend.

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I walked into school, wincing at every step. Before I even made it to the class room a group of my brother's friends with Tasha as the ring leader surrounded me.

"Just so you know, slut, your brother has told us, while he is away we can do what we like. So if we wanted to punch you," One of the bullies ran forward and punched me in the stomach. Hard. "we can, and we will."

With that they started to walk away, leaving me cowering on the floor. Before I could get up Forest appeared from around the corner.

"Aria?" He asked, questions thick in his voice, "Why are you on the floor."

I shook my head to say it doesn't matter, It doesn't, it's only me I'm worthless, good for nothing. I'm a burden.

He helped me stand and I tried to hide the wince as I put weight on my leg. I didn't manage.

"Hey, Aria are you ok? You'd tell me if you weren't, wouldn't you?"

I nodded my head but in reality I won't tell him. He doesn't have to know about my pain. We walked to maths, sitting in our usual seats. Tasha had long ago stopped trying to flirt with Forest in maths. She hasn't stopped flirting with him. But at least she doesn't do it in maths.

Something inside of me bristled at the thought of Tasha flirting with Forest. It shouldn't, but however much I told myself we were just friends. Something was lurking just below the surface. Constantly asking for more.

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The lessons flew by and soon the bell rang to signal the start of lunch. I walked to the library to finish of our project and Forest soon joined me. Nestled between the shelves of books I feel free. Safe. Calm.

"Ok so, we don't have much left to do on the project, just one slide about William Shakespeare in modern day society, so I'll tell you what, I will do the slide. You can just choose a book to read." I tried to shake my head but he was insistent.

That is how we spent our lunch, Me sitting next to Forest reading a book and Forest doing the last slide of the power point. I felt bad I didn't do it but he kept on saying he wanted to and I could just relax.

Before long though the bell rang and we had to make our way to next lesson. I has history next and Forest wasn't in my class, even better Tasha was, and she sat next to me. YAY.

All through history Tasha wouldn't stop nipping me and kicking me, childish I know but it was very effective. I was covered with bruises, well more bruises then before, by the end of the lesson and I had unshed tears of pain in the corners of my eyes.

Why me? what did I ever do to her?

As I was walking to my next lesson another foot found it's way into my path, resulting in me falling flat on my face with laughter surrounding me. I could hear their taunts and jeers and all I could think was Why me? What did I ever do to deserve this?

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After school I was pretty much done. I has no energy left and was completely drained. I had nothing left to give. It had all been beaten out of me. So when I opened my door to see Tasha and her minions sitting on the sofa. I mentally died.

"Hello slut." she cackled "We thought you didn't learn enough at school so we have brought you some homework"

As she finished her sentence I was hit simultaneously by three of her minions. It hurt like hell, but it wasn't over yet. Soon I was on the floor growling with pain, being punched and kicked in every available space. My stomach, my back, my head.

Black spots appeared in the corner of my vision and the world seemed to spin, I could see stars and I could feel myself slipping away into darkness, before I fully slipped away I heard a loud shout but before I could figure out what it said my world went dark.