I woke up to what I thought was my alarm clock but was really Ellie calling me.

"Hello?" I mumble into the phone.

"Hey Leah, What's your address? I'm gonna drive you to school today" Ellie says happily into the phone.

"Thanks Elles but I have work after school so I'm just gonna drive myself. Thank you though. See you at school" I say quickly hanging up and getting dressed.

I change into a grey hoodie that has the word 'coffee' across the front in dark, bold block letters. I put on some leggings and my converse because I have gym again today. I write a sick note quickly and then curl my hair a little bit. I cover up the hand print as best as i can and grab my bag and keys and head to school.

I'm in the middle of my third period class when my teacher comes up to me. "Leah, the nurse is looking for you" I quickly thank her and head off to Mrs. White's office.

"Hey Leah, just wanted to check up on that bruise of yours" She says smiling and I nod lifting my shirt up.

"Any pain?" She asks and I nod.

"Actually yeah. Any movement really" I say and she nods.

"Let me try something. Lets go to the separate room" Mrs. White says.

"Hello my fav aunt" Mason says walking in and looking at me confused. "What are you doing here?"

"Mind your own biz kid. Come on Leah" She says causing me to chuckle and Mason to roll his gorgeous eyes of his.

"Okay, im gonna wrap it. This might hurt initially but come back to me next period if its still hurting" Mrs. White says wrapping this tape around my waist. She works her way up until she gets to the bruised area. I brace myself but its no use. The pain is excruciating.

"Ow okay ow" I hiss out causing Mason to knock on the door.

"Leah, you alright in there?" He asks and Mrs. White looks up at me, asking if I want him in. I shake my head and she nods, proceeding with the wrap.

The pain is almost unbearable, making me lightheaded. I can't even form words when Mrs. White asks me how it feels.

She helps me out of the room and hands me to Mason since I'm still lightheaded. "Leah, walk a straight line for me" She says and I take a deep breath, doing as told.

"Okay, you are free to go back to class. Heres a note" She says handing me a note and I walk out of the room with Mason calling my name behind me.

"Leah, wait up" Mason calls out causing me to look back at him as he jogs to my side.

"What's up Mas?" I ask and he touches my face gently. Shįt. I have to stop myself from flinching.

"What happened here?" He asks concerned.

"Darker makeup maybe? I'm not sure what you're talking about" I fake laugh. "But I gotta get back to class. I'll text you" I say walking off to class.

I go back to class and when the bell rings make my way to the cafeteria as quickly as possible. I want to get there before anyone else so I can eat lunch in a classroom, alone. I have loads of homework to get done and don't want to risk anyone finding out about my parents.

I grab a salad and pay and make my way to the classroom.

My ribs feel a lot better now that the throbbing and terrible pain has subsided. I make a mental note to go back tomorrow morning to have it rewrapped since I'm gonna have to shower tonight.

Lunch goes by terribly fast and I only have time to do a little more than half of my homework. I still have my own homework and a few guys from the football teams homework.

"Leah, where were you?" Mason asks seeing me in the hallway.

"I um had to get some homework done. It keeps adding up" I say nervously.

"Here you go nerd" Tom, one of the jocks says shoving his papers at me and I just nod. "Here's your homework from last night" I say handing him his homework I did at Masons house.

"Good" He says and starts to walk away.

"Tom, fück off and do your own damn homework. Leah has enough going on as it is" Mason says getting mad.

"Mas, calm down. It's not a problem" I say standing in-front of him.

"Oh, the nerd has a name? Leah, so ugly" He says causing tears to blur my vision. I've always hated my name.

"Tom, I suggest you walk away right now or it won't be looking too good for your football career" Mason says making his hands into fists.

"Mason, please. It's not worth it. Just drop it, I'm okay"

"Leah, meaning cow. And that's exactly what you are" He says and at this Mason pounces. He's the first to throw a punch.

"Stop it, Mason please" I say getting in between the two of them.

"Leah? What happened?" Ellie and Christine say seeing Mas and Tom fighting.

"Tom was being mean and-and" I say too shocked to process everything.

"Mason stop" I say getting in between the two of them. Before I have time to think I am getting punched right on the same place my dad slapped me last night.

A couple gasps are heard but I don't hear much after that. I'm to busy staring at the ceiling and trying to process what happened.

"Leah, are you okay?" I hear Mason say and I nod trying to get up. Before I know whats going on I'm in Masons arms and he's sprinting out the school doors.

"Mason, I need to go back in. My parents will murder me. Please" I say and he puts me down on the bench and apologizes.

"I-I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. I should have stopped myself. This is all my fault" He starts rambling and I cut him off.

"Non of this is your fault. It's all mine. Now drop it, I forgive you. I've had worse. And lets go inside and get myself an ice pack" I say laughing causing him to half smile, still feeling bad.

I go to the nurse and get an ice pack and school continues on in a normal matter.

After school I went to work for a little and then went straight home to be greeted with an empty house.

A knock sounds at the door and I run to it thinking its my father. The person at the door comes to a complete shock to me.

"Leah sweetie, how are you? Is your mom home?" She says pulling me into a hug.

"Tara? What are you doing here?" I ask shocked.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Little cliffhanger at the end there. I know it hasnt been log since I updated but I surprisingly had time and decided to make up for the really late update last time!! Not sure when the next one is gonna be though :( Don't forget to comment, vote and add to a reading list. Thanks so much.

~Leah