"I hope they don't hurt me today...", I whisper to myself as I sit up on my bed with a sigh.

I know it is stupid of me to even say that to myself. A day doesn't go by when they don't make me feel miserable.

Rubbing my eyes I look at the small red clock standing on the nightstand.

Ughhh, I'm late.

It's 05:30am already. I wouldn't be able to get to school on time because I won't be able to finish cleaning the house and cooking breakfast in time. I need to hurry up.

I quickly scramble out of bed and run to the small bathroom that I am privileged enough to have, considering the cruelty of my step parents, this is the most they could give me.

I took it without any complaints and appreciate it.

Beggars can't be choosers.

After quickly brushing my teeth, I felt hot water wrapping me in its warm embrace as I step into the shower, wincing instantly as I feel a stinging pain shoot through my arm when the steaming water makes contact with the freshly open cut.

Jack, my step father was drunk, the same process as every other night, and a monster burning in his eyes as he looked at me. He aimed the vodka bottle in his hand at me, as it sailed in the air, I ducked.

It missed me by a few inches. I cried out, but it was useless he was hell-bent on his abuse of me.

My step mother Gini, just stood there silently watching as he started hitting me. I really didn't expect much from her anyway. It was useless, she never cared about me.

I passed out. Her expression blank as I hit the floor and I welcomed the blackness of nothingness.

At the age of nine was when Jack and Gini came into my life. My new adoptive parents.

I was ecstatic to finally be part of a family, to be a daughter to someone. Everything seemed perfect but eventually, the facade began to fall when we moved to Miami, revealing their true nature.

The violent side. I was forced to do all the housework which involved cleaning all the rooms, washing the clothes, and making sure meals were cooked.

I was too young to understand what was happening to me or how to perform these tasks.

Once I was cleaning the dishes and accidentally broke a glass. Jack was infuriated when he found out. I remember the feeling of his hands tightening around my throat as I struggled to get air into my lungs.

When I begged them if I could go for a medical check-up just to make sure I had no internal injuries to my throat, Jack instead slammed my head against the wall as a response.

They caught me the one and only time I tried to run away. It was... not good.

After that night I decided to never attempt it again.

I hate my life and I hate them.

I hate the fact that my parents abandoned me.

"Why?", I whispered to myself, feeling my eyes grow glossy as I held back the tears knowing that once they started they wouldn't stop.

"Cami!", I was brought out of my thoughts at the sound of Gini's booming voice.

Cami? Wow, she can't even remember my name..

In a haste, I threw on a pair of denim jeans with a tank top and a jacket.

I don't own much clothing as my foster parents refused to spend a cent of their money on me.

I still remember, 2 years ago when Jack and Gini were paid by a group of men to beat me. They were riveted by my pain. That day they almost broke the last bit of hope I had in me.

Jack and Gini only take me shopping once a year maybe even twice if luck is on my side.

They are award-winning actors when we are in public. No one has the slightest clue about what happens behind the walls of this happy family.

The last time they had taken me out shopping, the store's sales lady looked up at me and told me how lucky I was to have such loving and caring parents. I had to bite my tongue to keep myself from telling her how 'lucky' I really was to have abusive parents, so I just smiled and gave her a nod.

I knew if I said anything, there would be consequences.

"Get your ass over here you bitch!", Gini yelled from the foot of the stairs.

Why is she up so early? Usually they wake up around 07:00am - 08:00am, and by that I'm usually done with my chores.

The only reason they decided to place me in a school is so that there would be no suspicions of them. But they did threaten me that if I stepped out of line they would do something terrible to me. Which had me alarmed.

How much worse can it get than this? I don't wanna find out.

I ran downstairs to find them sitting on the couch and already dressed perfectly, not a single hair out of place. I could see the aggravation in their eyes for having to wait for me.

"Listen carefully Cami, we have some important work to attend to today so we will be leaving now. We'll be back by noontime. Don't worry about cooking our breakfast as we will be having it elsewhere. Make sure to complete the house chores before you go to school. We will be expecting lunch to be cooked when you return. Don't try anything or tell anyone anything because no one will believe you or care about what you have to say", she ordered harshly, rising from the couch.

"Do we make ourselves clear?", Jack asked in a menacing tone.

Swallowing the lump in my throat I nod.

With that Jack rose from the couch and followed behind Gini out of the house.

After completing the housework I decided on having some bacon, eggs, and toast for breakfast then made a dash out the front door and to the one place I felt safe. School.

I wish that I didn't have to leave the school grounds because there I didn't have to feel the fear the way I do at home.

~

Entering the school my ears are welcomed by the familiar sound of kids talking and gossiping.

I choose not to have many friends. My secret might get exposed.

Walking to my locker, trying to keep my head down I suddenly collide into a hard chest.

"Aah... Hey Blue, didn't see you there", he said turning slightly away from me so that I don't see his cheeks reddening.

"Hi Ian", was my short response.

"So um, I was wondering of you would you like to-", he started nervously but I interrupted him.

"Listen, Ian, I'm running late for class, I'll see you around", I give him a small smile and continued walking towards my locker.

I know where this was going, Ian was about to ask me if I wanted to hang out with him later after school. I had to make an excuse.

I mean, don't get me wrong. Ian gives me butterflies and all but he is too cute and sweet for a damaged girl like me. He has attempted to ask me out many times but I always brush him off with excuses.

Too ashamed and frightened of the monsters back home although I desperately wanted to say yes to him.

As I approach my locker I find my only friend, my best friend, standing there waiting for someone. Her foot tapping against the tiled floor impatiently.

"Behold," she said as she spotted me, her lips breaking into a smile.

"Hello to you too Elena," I say before she pulled me into a bone-crushing hug.

"I have been waiting for you for like a million years now. I don't think I could've carried on with the curse of waiting-on-your-best friend any longer", she said while placing a dramatic hand over her heart.

It was hard to keep the truth from her, but it would hurt and ruin what we have. And the idea she couldn't help her best friend would sicken her.

I roll my eyes. "Stop being so dramatic. You're fifteen, not an old lady who can barely stand on her own two feet", I say while laughing lightly at her dramatic self.

Elena always has a way to make me smile. I forget all my pain when I'm with her.

"Oh yeah, have you heard about the new summer school that just opened?", she asked eagerly.

"No. And you of all people know that I don't need a summer school", I frowned. "Besides I thought you hated summer schools so what's got you on about it?"

"Duh, how can I forget that you're a straight-A student? And my hate over summer schools still stands, but I heard that a group of some really hot guys will be attending there. Some dudes from Los Angeles. Blue, literally everyone's heard about them. Well, everyone but you", she said looking at me like I've grown a second head.

"I have more important things to worry about then some guys. Now if you don't want to sit in detention for being late to class I suggest we get a move on", I told her, grabbing my first period books from the locker.

"Yeah, yeah, more important things like assignments", she muttered under her breath.

I grinned, "Exactly."

~

School ended about an hour ago and I had just finished cooking lunch for my step parents.

~

It was now past seven in the evening and I had just finished preparing dinner for Jack and Gini.

I was about to go up to my room when I heard voices coming from the living room.

I slowly crept closer. The door was closed, so they couldn't catch me eavesdropping.

Something in the back of my mind was telling me to retreat and to just go upstairs but curiosity gripped me.

I caught the words summer and school in their hushed conversation.

Huh.

Summer school? What why? I thought I was doing pretty well considering my grades..

Trying to hear them more clearly I pressed myself closer to the door, standing on my tippy toes.

But with fate against me, I lose balance, knocking the vase with my hand as I break the fall. The vase then shattering loudly as I mentally prepare for what's to come.

"Blue?"

~