Sorry about the mistakes I just saw them. I edit my own work and usually have no problem but I editted those chapters late at night. I'll be extra careful.

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~~~ Chapter 3~~~~~~~

I felt sweat trickling down my back causing my pink prinecess tank top to stick to my back like a second skin. My matching plaid khaki pants felt rough against my skin as I sat on the floor motionless. I feared that if I moved they'll notice me. I held my small teddy bear with the ruby red ribbon around it's neck close to my chest. Mama's friend gave it to me when he came in before. He walked straight up to me handing it to my stiff arms with a smile,he also said I look pretty today. Mama beamed at that. She spent over an hour brushing my tangled bed hair down into a perfect mermaidbraid.

Mama's friend cslled early this morning telling her he was going to stop by. Mama rushed me to be presentable, I think she likes this guy. She tidied our cramp apartment. The pizza boxes were in trash where they should have been a week ago. The dishes were shoved in a cabinet until later, clothes stuffed in the only broken two sided drawer I had. The beds were picked up which was new, the dust and bugs that usually covered our floor was pushed under the unused oven. It wasn't perfect but an improvement for us.

"Denise look at this place, is it really where you want to raise her?" the man shouted

I was sitting on the ground facing the kitchen where the stranger stood with my mom. The man with had thick glossy brown hair that reached slightly below the nape of his neck. His skin a light tan that matched his caramel colored eyes. When he approached me they were warm and inviting until mama tugged him to the kitchen then they went hard.

Mama reached a hand up to his arm pulling him closer to her.Her black hair was pulled back and her face thick with make up. I think she looks better without any.

"No Richie, I should be with you not here." she purred in his ear

Did she forget me? I said nothing keeping still and watching. Mama bit his ear gently causing the man to shiver. Mama smiled and kissed his cheek. He pushed her away from him gently.

"I love my wife you know that. That night was a mistake and before I married her. I have moved on and so should you." he said through clentched teeth

Mama stared wide eyed at the man her body trembling with anger I knew well.

"No I love you! I want you not anyone else!" she screamed

Liar, I thought. She brought other men over all the time. They were mean always pushing me or trying to touch me. I hate men. But this man was different, I looked at the man in the kitchen. He is nice and never hurt me. I wish he would take me away from here, from her.

"Denise we went over this already. I'll help find a better apartment for you two, a better neighborhood for her to grow up in." he motioned to me

I felt my heart swell as this stranger talked about a better life. Maybe he heard my silent prayers at night. Mama turned to me with rage filled eyes.

"You have ruined everything for me again you stupid cow! Why the fuck are you crying!" she yelled walking over to me

Mama gripped my shoulders shaking me violently. "You fucking slut! I saw you with Kris yesterday." she said referring to last night's fun for her

I felt more hot tears falling as I remembered his hands on my private. I gasped when he touched me and quickly ran to my room locking the door. I was scared, I didn't like what he did but she did. That's why he came over.

"Denise let her GO!"

The stranger peeled mama off me before she tackled me to the ground. The impact of my back to the ground left me breathless. A cold peircing scream left my mouth as mama dug her nails into my arm. She rose her hand slapping me hard across the face. I whimpered in pain, she repeated her action before the stranger tossed her off of me. Mama landed on the couch cussing at me.

She rose to hit me again when the man pinned her against the couch.

"Stop." he whispered

Mama stopped thrashing his chest before breaking down on his chest asking for forgiveness. I held my cheek crying softly as the man comforted mama. I felt my chest shake violently, who would comfort me?

My eyes snapped open with my heart banging against my chest. The familiar lonliness pulling me down, I felt the tears streaming down my face. It wasn't unusual for me to cry while I slept. Taking deep breathes to slow my heart rate I stood up heading to the bathroom down the hall.

I gasped at my swollen red eyes and disoriented bed hair. I saw dark circles forming under my eyes. I guess I have to return to sleeping pills again. I brushed my teeth and washed my face returning to my room. It was half past seven and I am running late. Slipping on faded skinny jeans and a oversized burgandy football hoodie that Jake gave me. I grabbed black sneakers before pulling my hair back into a messy ponytail.

I was in a rush and didn't care. I ran downstairs where everyone was up and eating french toast. My stomach turned at the smell, I was not in the mood for food at the moment.

Annabelle smiled nudging dad with her elbow.

"Good morning sweetie." he said cheerfully

I smiled and grabbed a granola bar for later, taking a seat by Jake. He flashed me his charming grin, he seems rested I thought.

Returning the grin I turned to Melissa who stood up her green skimpy low cut sweater dipping lower as she pulled my white coat on.

"Bye." she said before darting out the door.

The sound of her black nissan sedan backing out of the driveway was the only sound in the room. Annabelle kissed dad's cheek and went upstairs to change out of her pink robe.

The silence was uncomfortable. I sat for a while listening to Jake wolfing down his food. I looked up to dad, he was staring back at me.

"You don't look like you slept well." he said

"I had a nightmare." I whispered

Jake placed his fork down giving my dad a concerned look.

"Sweetie do you want to stay home today? I can take off work and spend the day with you. Just us."

His offer sounded good but I knew he didn't like taking off work unless it was necessary. Dad didn't trust anyone with the shop except for Jake. I was tired and would have loved the break but didn't want to complicate anything.

I shook my head a polite smile spread across my face. I used this smile during mama's funeral. I used it when dad brought me here to his family. When he caught me crying the first few nights I sayed here. This was my fake smile, the thing they all wanted to see.

"It's fine dad. I'm fine." I stood and kissed his cheek.

Slipping my coat on I gave him another kiss and walked out. The cold air slammed into my face sending shivers down my spine. Everything was covered in a fresh light blanket of snow from last night. I hadn't noticed it snowed, the world could have ended and I wouldn't know.

"Get it together." I whisperd to myself

I closed my eyes inhaling deeply when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Jake with a pained expression.

"I'll give you a ride."

I nodded biting my bottom lip. Jake helped me into his red chevy truck. I remember less than two years ago this was a scrape pile not a car. Jake bought it for fifty bucks! I don't know how but he convinced the owner and with some elbow grease as well as new parts his baby was born. We drove in silence Jake occasionally looking over at me.

When we came to a halt at the school parking lot I unbuckled my seatbelt ready to bolt but Jake grabbed my hand.

I turned to his concerned face eyes sad. It broke my heart to see him this way.

"I'm fine Jake."

He unbuckled his seatbelt and pulled me to his chest. I stood there shocked. Did he know people could see us? Jake buried his head in my hair shaking his head.

"I'm sorry Lily I have been a complete ass. Last night you looked so helpless it broke my heart." he whispered

I hid my face in his chest like last night. I didn't usually react that way to my mom but I was caught off guard. My defense wasn't up, it won't happen again. I pulled away knowing we had to head in and Jake will ignore me again.

"Thanks Jakie." I used his childhood nickname

He gave me his cocky grin that girls died for, he really is handsome. I leaned up placing a kiss on his cheek. Jake turned a light shade of red. I smiled and walked out first.

Jake walked past me turning to give me another smile before he disappeared into the crowd of people.