Status: This is a verse novel. Warning: Involves abuse.

Invisible

What I've been waiting for

The next morning
my father notices.
He sits across from me
at the table
and begins a slow,
long lecture.

"Girls should take care of their hair..."
"It keeps their reputation good..."
"Girls with hair like yours will be
treated like a
boy..."


It continues on
and on
and on.
I stare at my uneaten
breakfast
wondering why I even
bother
to pretend to eat.

It's not like anyone notices.

"Are you even listening?"
He suddenly shouts,
spit flying from his mouth.

No.
I nod.
"Of course,
Father."

He doesn't believe me and
I don't have time to duck
before he throws his plate
at my face.

Looks like everything's back to normal.

I run to the bathroom
and lock myself
in.


In the mirror,
I see blood
but it's not blood created by a silver blade.
It's messy, it's random.
Not controlled
so I shiver in disgust
instead
of pleasure.

And slowly begin the process
of cleaning myself up
enough to be able to go to
school.