''Melody, come hang out with us after school'' My friend Fiona said when we were in English class, finishing up our essay. ''You never hang out with me or the girls'' I swallowed hard and tried to think of a good excuse that would get me out of the situation. Maybe I could say that I had a doctor's appointment or something. Yes, that's what I would say. ''I-I can't'' I got out of my mouth ''I have an appointment at three'' Fiona gave me a look as if to say ''really, girl?'' But I tried to ignore it. I couldn't go hang out with the girls because I would come home too late and dad would beat me like all those other times when he got mad and I didn't want that at all. ''Maybe another time, Fiona'' I say and smile but she looked so disappointed. ''But you said that last time'' she says ''Every time something happens'' I shrug and start writing again, trying to get out of talking about the subject. As much as I wanted to stay away from home, I couldn't and that killed me inside. Dad had beat me and verbally hurt me my whole life, blaming me because mom died giving birth to me. It was my fault, I'm so so sorry mom, I never meant to hurt you or dad. I just ruined your lives and I hope you forgive me for that... My own dad didn't love me and that hurt me so bad. All my friends had loving dads and I got a bad one. ''Then can you come to Erin's sleepover on Friday?'' Fiona asked, prodding me with her black ink pen. ''Yea, maybe'' I say but I knew that it wouldn't happen. Not with my dad. ''Melody, how did you get that mark on your leg?'' The kid on the other side of me asked, staring at a almost black bruise that was located near my ankle. ''Umm I fell down the stairs'' I lied, truthfully dad had wacked me one with a wooden plank when I failed to help him with his woodwork. I had screamed because it hurt so bad but he dragged me by the hair into the shed and beat me in there because I wasn't allowed to scream in my house. ''Dayuum that's almost black!'' The same kid, Jackson exclaimed, positioning his glasses. ''It looks so cool!'' I pulled my pant leg over the bruise and prayed that no one else would see any other bruises or cuts because I didn't want that attention. If only I could tell someone about what was happening at my house, venting to someone than I wouldn't feel so caged and alone but I couldn't. Dad would beat me again if he found out. ''The bell has gone!'' Fiona exclaimed when I had been too deep in my thoughts to realise what was going on.'' Everyone but melody may leave'' Miss Jackson announced when everyone stood up to leave. Fiona gave me a 'oh s**t' look as she left the classroom and I have her the same look back. Once the room was empty with only me and her she proceeded to ask me a question. ''Melody dear, are you happy and everything?'' She asked, worry in her old eyes hiding behind those round glasses. I nodded and immediately felt nervous, I wasn't good with adults, they made me very nervous but so did kids. ''You seem very sad at times and I wonder what is going through that young head'' miss Jackson said, her old kindness surrounding me like a knitted blanket. ''No, I'm quite okay, miss'' I reply ''Everything is fine'' I gave her a smile to reassure her but she didn't seem content. ''Are you sure?'' She prodded on. It was like she knew what was going on with me but didn't want to say it but mind readers don't exist and I knew that. Miss was just being caring unlike so many other people on this earth.'' I'm positively sure'' I answer but again, I was lying. ''Alright then'' miss Jackson said with the same worries look on her face. ''Run along then'' I slowly walked out of the classroom to meet Fiona and the others at the table we always sit at but they weren't there. Not feeling like hanging out with anyone anyway, I decided to leave the school grounds and spend my lunch at the nearby beach. I loved the beach, I loved it's sand I loved it's calm environment, I loved everything about it. I always collected seashells and things when I went there so I could decorate my things with them, Fiona even bought one of my seashell necklaces off me once, of course I made it. I started walking towards the back of the school where the gate was so I could climb over the stupid thing. Once I got there, I threw my big, annoying as backpack over it and it thumps down on the other side. I quickly checked around me to see if anyone was nearby but luckily there wasn't. Should I climb over or under it? I didn't feel like climbing over it so I went under and besides it would be quicker. As soon as I ducked under it, I ran away from the school before I could get seen . Halfway to the beach I run into my friend that worked at the nearby surf shop, Ted. ''Heyy'' he says in his usual French accent. I smiled at him and say ''how was your day?'' Ted smiles and says ''it's been so boring aye, what about you?'' My day wasn't going too well so I flat out said it. ''Not so good'' I answer ''very boring'' to be honest, none of my days were ever good and if they were, then it was very rare. Dad was always on my mind and so was the abuse. I had the option of telling the police but dad said he would murder me if I did so I wouldn't dare for fear of my life getting taken away. ''Aww that's not good'' Ted says ''going somewhere?'' I shoot him a smirk and say ''Ditching school for the beach'' Ted laughs and fist bumps me ''aye, whatta badass'' I laugh and we say our goodbyes, me leaving on my merry way. I soon arrived at the beach and it was empty as which was a very good thing in my opinion, I could have the whole beach to myself. I take off my sweaty school shoes and socks them stuff them into my annoying bag. I hid my bag behind a bush and run onto the beach, feeling so free and bright. This was my escape from everything, no dad, no stress, no pain. I soon start spotting hundreds of beautiful seashells and start collecting them, I wish that I could get them all but I couldn't so I had to choose. After a while of searching for seashells I come across something else. A seashell-necklace looking thing. I was interested as soon as I saw it and picked it up, examining it for any details. It was a white clam actually, not a seashell and it had a silver chain attached to it. I tried to pry open the clan but it wouldn't budge then I notice that it had words on it. I wiped the sand off so I could clearly read what it said. It says 'sirenamocola' what a strange name. I was sure that it wasn't English so I would search up the name tonight on google if I could. I stuffed the necklace and shells into my pocket and keep searching. After doing all my searching I checked my watch and hell no. School had finished and I was an hour late getting home. Dad would beat me once again.
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