Steadily blinking a bright yellow, on and off. Flashing in the woods, making the forest seem like a mystical place. My laughter echoing through the trees while my dad hugged me and tickled me, saying "You're my little star... and I love you so much."

    That was then. Now it's not. I opened the front door and looked around. Good, I couldn't see my dad. He must be at the pub. Ever since my big brother Oscar died in a fire in his school, my dad has been drinking, taking drugs, and being abusive. My mom was deported to Honduras for work when she substituted for her co-worker who had recently had a baby.

      I slammed the door shut and raced up the stairs, my heavy backpack jumping up and down as I did. I opened the door to my room and walked in. I spotted Nutmeg, my cat, on the bed, and as soon as she saw me, she jumped up and raced over to me, rubbing her head against my legs. I reached down to pet her and she purrs louder than a jet airplane. Nutmeg was a gift from my mom when I was 8. Nutmeg was just a kitten back then. My mom LOVES cats. Now I'm 12 and Nutmeg's 4. I sat down at my desk and Nutmeg leaped onto my lap. I took out my homework and slapped it on the wooden desk as I pulled out a pencil. I put my elbow on the table and rested my head on my hand, tapping the desk with the end of my pencil. Working on math is probably one of my favorite activities, as it always takes my mind off real life. I'm also one of the smartest in my class, and I try to impress my dad... But he doesn't care. I finished a few problems and I heard the door open and slam shut. Uh oh...... My dad's here. And he's early...

Nutmeg jumped out of my lap and skidded to the door. I sighed and opened it, letting Nutmeg run down the stairs. She probably thinks it's my mom... Poor kitty.

"Stupid cat!" My dad shouted and I heard a caterwaul, and Nutmeg leaped back onto my lap, shivering slightly. I closed the door again.

I heard my dad stumble down to the basement and shout some profanity. He came back up and shouted "Stella Ashley Bailey!!"

I groaned. Looks like I'm gonna have to take a beating.. I stomp down the stairs, my legs feeling like jello.

"You didn't do the damn laundry, did ya?" He slurred.

"You never told me t-" I start, but my dad cut me off.

"Did you? I asked you a f***ing question, so you'd better answer me!" He yelled.

"N-no." I stutter.

"Stand still." He growled and raised his hand. I knew he was about to slap me, so I yelped and ran upstairs, back to my room.

"Come back here!" He shouted as loud as he could, but I closed my door and locked it, preventing my dad from coming in.

Wishing that the day was over, I headed over to my bed, where Nutmeg was waiting. I changed into my orange pajamas and brushed my teeth. I opened my mouth and inspected my teeth... Another loose one. I've had one cavity for a long time but my dad doesn't bother bringing me to the dentist, cause, well... He just doesn't care.

    I jump into my bed and Nutmeg curls up beside me, then pull my warm blanket over me as I close my eyes tightly. Tomorrow's Saturday... Then it will be just 1 day until my mom calls. She calls me every Sunday. Dad always heads to work early in the morning, so I don't see him until in the evening or night when he's drunk. He works all week, which is lucky for me, so I don't have to deal with him during my free time.

    Nutmeg purring by my side, I grew tired pretty quickly. I could still hear my dad crashing and cursing. I sigh quietly and somehow fell asleep.