Intro

Esined. S-nihd

I covered my head, attempting to dodge hits from my dad. I was balled up in a corner as he swung lefts and rights at me.

"Eric stop!" My mama cried, pulling him by the waist. "She didn't know!"

He continued to swing at me, connecting his fist with my ribs.

Today was no different than any other day in this hell hole. My dad was taking his anger out on me for telling his sister where we lived. None of our family ever visited and didn't know where we lived. When they found out where we lived, he'd move us to a different place. He was embarrassed. He had too much pride to even ask his family for help. We'd been struggling for years now. Things hadn't been the same since my little sister, Erica, passed.

It no longer phased me how I lived. It only phased me when I saw other kids and their rich parents. I always wanted to be like them kids on tv. Living with my rich parents in a huge mansion. Eating and not having to skip a meal or a few. Shoes that are new, not worn out shoes that are taped up. Having new jeans that fit me, not jeans passed down so many times that maybe my great great great grandma wore them. Shirts that ain't have holes in the collar or in the middle next to my navel. Cute coats and jackets that'd keep me warm in the winter and fall, not the ones that's all ripped up on the inside and won't zip up.

I often daydreamed as my dad took his anger out on me. It helped me distract myself from his blows.

"Gone to your room!" His country accent roared once he finished sending blows to me.

I gained up my strength and began to walk pass him. I walked slowly, causing him to slap me upside my head.

"Hur' up na'! Get out my damn sight, Ned!" He yelled.

I rushed through my pain to my room.

"You need to stop hitting her! That ain't gon' solve our problems!" Mama yelled.

I laid on my mattress, that was on the floor, and stared up at the ceiling.

I knew that they'd argue all night.

I turned onto my side and stared at the wall as tears began to escape from my eyes. I wiped them and closed them.

In the middle of the night my stomach began to growl. I stood up, wincing in pain. I touched the spots where my dad had punched me hours before and sucked in air.

I quietly went into the kitchen and reached on top of the fridge, grabbing a slice of bread from the bag. I closed it and match it back to where my dad placed it before. I went back into my room and sat on my bed, eating the dry bread. I looked at the clock and it was three in the morning. I decided to get the two hours of sleep left that I had until I had to get ready for school.

"Esined, it's time to wake up for school, baby," Mama shook me softly.

I rubbed my eyes after sitting up.

"How ya feeling?"

"My sides hurt," I said.

"You want some ice?"

"I'll be fine. Thanks Mama. Water still cold?"

She nodded. "Your clothes are dry. I just took 'em off the hanger. They're in the bathroom,"

"Thank you," I stood up and went to the bathroom. I washed up at the sink and put my clothes on. I brushed my teeth then put on my socks. I looked up, seeing my dad standing at the door, staring at me.

"Five minutes," was all he said before walking away. Meaning that in five minutes, if I wasn't ready, he'd be leaving me and I'd have to walk.

I went back to my room before putting on my shoes, seeing that they were ripped open at the top again. "Mama!" I yelled.

"Yes baby?"

"I need more tape for my shoes!" I yelled as I walked into the kitchen.

"Ain't no time for no tape, let's go Esined!" My dad yelled.

"But my shoes," I said.

"What did I just say?" He took his cigarette from his mouth, tapping it on the ashtray at the table in the kitchen. He stood up, towering over me. "Put the damn shoe on and let's go,"

"Eri-" my mom started.

He looked at her.

"Esined, baby, put your shoe on, okay?" She looked at me.

I slipped on my shoe and she handed me my backpack and an apple.

She hugged me and kissed my forehead. "I love you. Have a good day,"

"I love you too mama," I mumbled.

"C'mon now," my dad rushed. He tried to kiss my mom but she turned her head to the side and he only caught her cheek. "Alright, Eiram," he nodded. "C'mon," he put his hand on my shoulder and we walked out the trailer.

I got in the passenger side of the truck and he got in.

He lit himself a cigarette before he started the truck. His lips held onto the cigarette as he started up the truck. "You nervous?"

It was my first day at this new school.

I nodded.

"Are you?"

"I said yes,"

"No you didn't. You nodded at me. I told you 'bout that noddin' shit,"

"Sorry," I mumbled.

His white hands gripped the steering wheel as he drove thirty minutes to my new school.

He looked at me as he pulled up in front of the school. "Here," he handed me a paper.

"What's this for?"

"Directions,"

"To where?"

"Home. I can't pick you up today. I'm workin' late on the farm. Should take you 'bout an hour and a half to get home. Go straight home, you hear me? You gotta help ya mama cook supper tonight,"

"Yes sir,"

"Alright. Get out. Go to class. Don't be late,"

"Bye dad," I got out the truck and closed the squeaky door.

I walked up to the huge school. I took a deep breath before walking through the huge doors. I was stopped and checked by security. What the hell.

"ID?" A guard asked.

"I ain't got one," I said.

"They you ain't gettin' in," he mocked my voice before laughing.

"Oh! Esined!" The Principal, Mrs. Johnson, came over to me. She got me pass security and smiled. "I'm glad you made it,"

I stared at her. "Hello,"

"Here's your ID," she handed it to me.

"Thank you,"

"No problem. You won't be late. I have a pass for you," she handed me a paper. "Need help finding your classes?"

"No, I'll be fine," I assured her.

"Alright. My office is room four-zero-two if you need anything. I'll be checking up on you," she said before I nodded. She walked off and I headed to my first hour.

English. One of my favorite subjects.

I walked in and everyone looked up at me.

"Eseenyd?" the teacher questioned.

"Esined," I said shyly.

He smiled. "Esined," he repeated. "I'm Mr. Jones," he shook my hand. "Here's a notebook to get you started. Would you like to be introduced to the class?"

"No," I said.

"Your seat is next to August," he said, glancing at a seating chart. "August, raise your hand please,"

A boy who had tattoos going all down his arms raised his hand. He had a gold cross with diamonds hanging from his neck. He had on nice clothes. They looked brand new. He had a fresh haircut and nice shoes. He looked too old to still be in high school.

"Don't be shy, he's nice," Mr. Jones said.

I let my hair hang in front of my face as I put my head down. I walked over quietly and sat next to August.

"Her shoes," a girl giggled, causing people to laugh at me.

Mr. Jones didn't seem to hear the comment.

I kept my head down and I could feel August staring at me.

"Alright class," Mr. Jones said, gathering everyone's attention. "In your notebooks today, I want you to write down at least three sentences. I want it to be about what you did over the weekend,"

I opened my notebook and my pencil fell on the floor.

August picked it up before I could.

"Thank you," I mumbled as he held it out for me to take back.

He wouldn't let it go though.

I looked up at him and he let me have it.

"You welcome," he smiled.

I turned back forward and thought of what to write. I thought of everything that happened this weekend besides my dad hitting me. I began to write.

This weekend I went to the farm and rode horses with my mama. Her and I chased the pigs around. We wrote poetry afterwards.

I looked up and August was staring at me again.

"I ain't neva been ta a farm befo'," he said. "That sound fun. Ya know, whatchu wrote. Chasin' pigs witcha mama, huh?" He chuckled.

I nodded.

"That seems like it'd be funny ta see. Pigs oinkin' aroun', tryna run," he said before imitating a pig.

I stared at him.

"Not funny, huh? I guess that was my bad joke of the day," he chuckled.

I looked back down and wrote my name along with the date on the top of my paper.

"Would anybody like to start off and share what they did this weekend?" Mr. Jones asked. "We're going around the class. Everyone is sharing,"

August raised his hand.

"Go ahead August," Mr. Jones said.

"This weekend I watched movies with my mama. We cooked and cleaned togetha. Then I took her shoppin' at da mall,"

"Sounds nice," Mr. Jones began to clap his hands and the class joined in. "Esined. Your turn,"

I kept my head down. "This weekend-"

"I can't hear her," a girl said. "Can you speak up?"

I cleared my throat. "This weekend I went to the farm with my mama. We chased pigs 'round. Then we wrote some poetry together,"

"Poetry? I'd love to hear some," Mr. Jones smiled and began to clap.

"She look like she live on a farm," someone mumbled, causing people to laugh at me.

"I forgot ta laugh," August said, staring at the boy who said it. "Where was the joke?" The smile that was on his face as I spoke had disappeared quickly.

"Get out of my class," Mr. Jones said, staring at the boy also. His attitude completely switched up just like August's had.

"Mr. J-"

"Get out. Now,"

The boy sighed, picking up his bag from the floor.

Mr. Jones wrote out a pass and handed it to the boy.

The boy made his way out of the classroom as everyone, except August and Mr. Jones, laughed. Class had ended about thirty minutes later. I gathered my things and began to walk out and August stood beside me.

"You good?" August asked me.

"I'm fine," I said. "Thank you,"

"You shouldn't let people talk 'bout chu like that,"

"Oh no. It don't bother me much,"

"Where you from?"

"'Cause'a my accent?"

He nodded. "You real southern and soft spoken. I like yo voice tho,"

"Thank you,"

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen, you?"

"Seventeen. You a junior?"

I nodded.

"Me too,"

"I'm sorry. I meant to say yes. I didn't mean to nod,"

"It's aiight," he chuckled. "You neva told me where you from,"

"Texas. My bad. Where are you from?"

"New Orleans," he said.

I finally looked up at him. I was staring at the floor as we walked together the whole time.

His thick accent was just as beautiful as him. His lips curved as he smiled at me. His brown eyes were something I could easily get lost in. He had very little chin hair. His eyebrows were weirdly perfect. His caramel skin was flawless and his nose was cute. He had a tattoo on his neck, but I could only see the top of it.

"How tall are you?" He asked, looking down at me.

"Five-six," I said. "How tall are you?"

"Six-two,"

I nodded and the bell rang.

"Don't worry, that's just the second bell," he chuckled.

"Second bell?"

"We get about five minutes ta get ta our next class. We got two minutes now,"

"Oh. Okay,"

"What class you got next?"

"Um," I reached into my pocket for my schedule and I felt my old jeans ripping.

Great.

I took out my schedule slowly, without ripping my jeans more. I looked at my schedule. "I've got honors biology next,"

"Oh, you a smart girl, huh?" He smirked.

"I guess so. I ain't one to brag. I'm average,"

People stared at us awkwardly as we walked to my next class together. We honestly did look strange.

"You cheated or are you actually smart?"

"I don't like cheatin',"

"Me neitha. I like ta earn my shit,"

I looked at him, a little taken back.

"My bad," he chuckled. "I may be a lah bit of a potty mouth. You curse?"

I shook my head. "I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean to shake my head. I don't curse,"

"You a good girl?"

"Yeah,"

"That's good. Don't be bad," he chuckled. "I'll see you later,"

"Bye, Austin,"

He started laughing before he showed his beautiful smile once more. "August," he corrected.

"I'm sorry," I smiled. "I'm Esined,"

"I know. I'll be hea when you come out, aiight?"

"Okay," I mumbled, tucking my hair behind my ear.

He smiled before walking off.

I quietly went into class and sat all the way in the back.

When I got in, I heard whispers about my attire. I didn't pay them any mind, all I could think about was August. I was shocked by how he was so nice.

A guy like him and a girl like me should never be friends. He's too wealthy for us to be friends. I knew he or his family had money from his style.

I couldn't understand why a guy like him would even glance at me. Let alone actually exchange words with me. It was strange. I never really had people being nice to me. If someone was being nice to me it was because they felt bad for me. The only one who was really nice to me was my mama. I wasn't used to people being nice.

I usually just keep my distance and stay quiet all the time. Honestly if August didn't speak to me first we probably would have never exchanged a word together.

"Hey," a girl sat down next to me and smiled.

"Hi," I gave her direct eye contact.

I was always taught by my mama to show respect while talking to people. Don't nod, always answer with your voice. Don't point at people. Give direct contact. Say excuse me, please, and thank you. Don't cut people off. Give a smile, even when people are being rude to you. Speak clearly, I suck at that one. Well two, giving direct contact. I'm always mumbling and looking down, only when I'm talking to peers though.

"I'm Viola,"

"Viola?" I questioned.

"Yes. What's your name? I like your accent,"

"Esined. Thank you,"

"That's unique. I like that,"

"Thank you. I like yours too,"

"Hey, listen..." Viola leaned closer. "I've noticed your shoes and I've got an extra pair in my locker if you'd like to have them. You look like your feet are about a size seven," she whispered.

I stared at her and she leaned back. I frowned, looking down at my attire.

"I really don't mean to hurt your feelings or anything. I'm not what you're probably thinking. I just don't like seeing people struggle. I do nothing with bad intentions,"

"I guess I look like I'm struggling," I'm not one to tell people about my family or what we go through. I've done it once and never again because my dad hit me for it.

"I've got extra clothes in there too," she whispered. "Would like to wear them?"

"No, but thank you. I appreciate it,"

Viola slipped me a piece of paper and stood up. "Sorry if I offended you. Just trying to help," she gave me a smile.

"It's fine. Thank you,"

She nodded and went back to her seat.

I sat quietly through class until Ms. Trump asked me to introduce myself. I could feel my face begin to sweat and my heartbeat pick up. My hands started feeling really moist and sticky. I cleared the lump in my throat and looked at her.

"I'm sorry, I'd rather not introduce myself," I said.

"It won't take long. Just stand up, state your name, and say hi to the class," she said.

"Ma'am, I don't want to,"

"It's because she don't want us to see the raggedy ass clothes and busted up shoes," a girl laughed.

The whole class started laughing at me.

"Knock it off. That's not funny, Chantelle," Viola turned around.

"It was tho," she was still laughing.

"It wasn't. You don't know what she goes through. Leave Esined alone. She isn't bothering you, so don't bother her,"

"Does it look like I care, lesbian?"

"My sexuality matters in this situation? Stop it before I say some really hurtful things,"

"Say it. I dare you. I'll beatcho ass," Chantelle stood up and so did Viola.

"Girls girls," Ms. Trump said. "Stop it. Viola, get out,"

"Why?"

"For disrupting my class,"

"You've got to be kidding me. Chantelle is bullying Esined and you're sitting there and letting it happen. You even laughed along! You are such a shitty person! How could you be an adult, let alone a teacher, and let one of your students get bullied for their attire?"

"Get out of my class!"

Viola went back to her seat and shoved her books into her backpack.

Ms. Trump signed a paper and had her hand out for Viola to take it.

Viola snatched the paper and stormed out the classroom, slamming the door.

I sat there with no emotion. The rest of class was quiet and awkward.

I knew that this would be a long day at school.

-

First part. How y'all like it?

Excuse typos please.

Comments and votes, please?

Much love, Shia. Xoxo.