Page 98 of Collided

My body whips around and my smile drops faster than an object falling through free fall.

Dad takes a step forward. “Where the fuck were you today?” He stares at me with such authority and power. For once, he’s sober, still the way he’s looking at me is similar to when he’s intoxicated—there’s not a trace of love or affection.

“Out with friends,” I say in a feeble voice.

He frowns like it’s a ridiculous excuse. “Friends? You don’t have any fucking friends, Hope.”

“Things have changed,” I say.

Striding forward, he backs me up against the door. Air knocks out of my chest and gets lost in the cloud of tension between us. In seconds, my hands are shaking, and tremors are running up and down my arms. I start panicking.

I just want to go to my room.

“You’re a liar,” he spits out in anger.

“No, I’m not. I do have friends now,” I mumble, looking into his dark eyes that swallow most of the white. It’s a frightening sight.

“I’ve known you since you were a kid. You’ve always been a loner. No one talks to you.”

“That’s not true.” Telling him about Marie is at the tip of my tongue.

“Your mother was the same. She didn’t have anyone aside from me.”

My eyes widen at the information. “I was out with friends. I swear.”

Dad wraps his hand around my neck and presses my head against the door with a thud. Pain shoots like tingles in the back of my head.That. Hurt.

Closing my eyes, I hold back my tears. I refuse to cry in front of him. I don’t want him to think I’m weak. That he holds any power over me.

He does hold power over you.A small, scared voice whispers.

“Don’t lie to me, you bitch!” He squeezes my throat, enclosing my air column on the verge of collapsing.

I wheeze like a dying animal for its last breath.

“Ple-please,” I beg him as my hand holds his big one.

For a moment, I think my touch will bring him back—he’ll let me go.

I only learn how stupid I am.

He squeezes harder and my head starts to get dizzy. His voice is distant as he talks, my ears hardly register a word.

Dots appear in front of my eyes. I’m seconds away from passing out.

Flashbacks from today run through my mind. I realize how serene I felt with Heath when we were on the hill. I told him things I’ve never told anyone. I shared a part of me, even though it was a very tiny one. I talked to him like friends do. I let myself be vulnerable.

I felt safe with him.Exactly what I don’t feel right now.

“…lie to me again,” Dad spits those words in my face and lets me go.

I sink to the floor and hold my aching throat. I open my mouth and try to breathe.

I hear footsteps receding and the television playing loud in the living room. The path to my room is clear now. I sneak into my room and throw on the door bolt for safety.

On the bed, I curl on one side and let the hot tears fall down my cheeks.

Time is a distant thought as I cry my heart out and empty the wells behind my eyes. Once I’m done my pillow is soaked, andmy cheeks burn from the sting of the salt streams. If that’s not enough, I have an excruciating headache.

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