2 - Swingset

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When you think about it, mirrors are the only things that never lie

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When you think about it, mirrors are the only things that never lie. You look how you look, and that's that. But I wish it didn't reflect the massive bruise along my cheekbone. I wish I didn't know how my mom's punch physically affected me.

Foundation and concealer covers up a chunk of it, but the purplish-black is still visible. How was I going to go to work like this? I wouldn't be able to leave my house.

Sighing, I leave the bathroom. My stomach feels sore from the kick my mom had given me last night, and my head is still throbbing.

This morning, I had woken up in my bed. I don't know how I got there, but at least I didn't wake up on the floor like last time momma was mad.

I slowly climb into my fluffy bed, pulling the white covers up as far as they could go without covering my eyes. Then I drag my computer over to me. Since I didn't get to watch Tangled when I got home from work, I suppose I could watch it now.

Before I hit play, I grab my phone from the nightstand. The case is clear and has a bunch of multi-colored flowers on it. I call Big D and let him know that I'm too sick to come into work, faking a cough.

"Aw, shucks," he responds sadly. "Feel better, hun."

The second I hang up, I hit the space bar and Tangled begins playing. Somehow, I thought that once my favorite movie was turned on, my headache would go away. But, no. My head still pounds and my eye feels like it might roll out of my head.

I need candy. Yeah, that's what I need!

I wait until Mother Gothel appears on the screen to shut my computer, then I slip out of my covers. I throw on a big pink sweatshirt and some white sweatpants. I shove my feet into my strawberry slippers.

The makeup on my cheekbone isn't good enough, so I touch it up before leaving my room. My mom would be sober by now, but I'm cautious anyway.

I reach the bottom of the stairs and find her sleeping on the couch, one leg draped over the back. A few empty beers were laying beside her.

Quietly, I grab the bottles and toss them in the garbage. I tip-toe to the garage where my bike awaits me after grabbing my wallet from my bag. Candy isn't too expensive, right?

It's about a 15-minute bike ride to the nearest gas station, which means I'll burn some calories just to stuff my face with them.

Win-win!

The air is warm, but the wind is cold. It nips at my cheeks when I go down the Big Hill. A few people look at me oddly, but I just smile and wave as best I can without losing balance.

Haven't they ever seen a 19 year old girl ride a bike? Geez.

In no time, I'm at the gas station. I chain my bike to the bike rack and skip inside, pretending like nothing on my body is bruised.

Athalia QuinnWhere stories live. Discover now