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Walking through the hallways is let alone the worst feeling ever. I'm a lie to the entire school! They all see me as the guy at the top of the social ladder. I used to love living up to that role, until my mother died and it changed everything, but yet - I still act as if nothing ever changed.

I feel like a fake.

I hate this guilt I'm feeling because I'm hiding everything from everyone. All the secrets, all the lies and all the scars I keep to myself. But I secretly know, that sometime everyone will find out and that'll be the end of me. I feel embarrassed because of my father; self-conscious. I might be seen as the school's heartthrob, but when they see my scars, they'll rethink my place with the social ladder.

My two best friends were on either of me, talking about girls and what not. Let me introduce, Adam, the one who most likely has a criminal record; he always gets us into some sort of trouble. And Ethan, the ladies man; he gives great advice though. He's like the peacemaker in our group.

"Dude, you with us?" Adam asked waving his hand in front of my face. "Oh yeah, sorry, I just zoned out for moment. I guess I didn't sleep last night." I said, faking a smile. He laughed, winking at me. "You really should get more sleep and stop talking to girls." He smirked and nudged me. "Yeh, Carson. Which one do you like the most?" Ethan laughed. Sometimes, he gets influenced by Adam; he's such s pushover. They laughed and laughed and laughed until I cracked. "Just cut it out, okay!" I said, walking away from them. "Yoh, don't take offence now!" Adam yelled running after me, Ethan not far behind. I sighed. "I'm not." I flicked my fingers through my hair. "I am late for Maths, see you after." I said quickening the pace to the Maths classroom. Sometimes, I regret not telling them.

They day dragged on with the usual, "Hello, are you there?" And "Carson, pay attention please!" And "Dude, wake up!". Every second felt like a decade. I definitely zoned out many times today, thinking about my father. Since my mom died, he hasn't been the same. Always angry, always drunk, always an abuser. My back still hurts from last night when he smashed my mother's favourite vase against my back. I have a few scratches, nothing serious, but I never said it didn't hurt. The final bell finally rang and I raced out of class; I don't want Ethan and Adam to see me.

Why does it have to be like this?

Why do I need to hide?

Because of your father, idiot!

My brain screamed at me. As soon as I reached a block away from the school, I stopped running. If life is 10% what happens to us, and 90% how we react to it... Then I'm not doing a good job.

Should I go home or should I just hang around the town?

Is my father home or is he at work?

Just then, I looked up to see my father's car racing and swerving down the street. I panickd. I saw a dumpster and didn't think twice. I ran and jumped into the dumpster. I sunk into the stinky, rotten trash; black bags on either side of me. I heard the car pass by. I lifted the lid. I quickly got out of the garbage and ran down the block in the opposite direction, where hopefully I'd be safe.

I sat on a bench, trying to catch my breath when I wondered, why wasn't my father at work? The question ate me up inside as I thought of all the possible reasons. I heard the hitting of brakes of a car in front of me. I looked up to see my father. "Son," He yelled, opening his window. "Get in this car!" I stood up, but refused to move. "Carson!" He yelled at me again. My father got out of his car and stumbled toward me. My legs had this sudden adrenaline in them. I bolted away from my father; literally running for my life.

I could hear the car's door slam and the car rev; the sound of an overworked engine closing in on me as I turned the corner. I finally arrived in the outskirts of town, after running for blocks and blocks, and his in one of the dark alleys: where he hopefully wouldn't find me. But to my dismay, he did. The car came to a screeching halt and the car door slammed once again. "Carson, you're in for a world of pain!" He screamed. I flinched and got to my feet and I ran. Neither luck nor fate seemed to be on my side as I reached the dead end at the bottom of the alley. "Shoot!" I panicked as my father's voice echoed in the alley.

I backed up against the wall, watching his figure getting nearer and nearer. I felt tears run down my cheeks as he grabbed me by my neck and pushed me against the wall; strangling me. "D-dad, p-please!" I begged crying my eyes out. He pushed me harder against the wall and I gasped at the amount of pain. He looked down and took something out of his pocket - a bottle of whiskey. "Dad," I begged. "No more alcohol." He looked at me with s serious facial expression. "I'm not going to drink it," he muttered. He raised the bottle in hand. "You are." He said and smashed it onto my head. I grimaced in the pain. He started laughing, as if it was funny. Everything became a blur and the last thing I remember is my father walking away from me.

~&~

I woke up in the same position I when my father left. I shed a few tears as I kept my hand against my head as I felt blood drip off my elbows, which had run down from my hands. I tried to get up, but I was incredibly dizzy. I tried over and over again until I got it right. School's tomorrow and I can't be seen like this; blood everywhere and me crying like a baby. I stumbled down the road on the way home.

Is there any meaning to life?

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Adam Wylde is played by Brenton Twaites
&
Ethan Morgan is played by Dylan O'Brien.
Again, imagine who you want.
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