365 Days.

His name is Chase.
He’s the captain of a football team.
That would explain his tough attitude,
not to mention all them muscles too.

I poke the bruise on my shoulder gingerly.
Blue, purple, swollen.
Someone had slapped me there whilst laughing,
and I’m easy to bruise.

Father sees it,
insists I explain.

“I fell over.”
It’s a lie,
I think he sees that,
but he doesn’t press further.
Only gives me a disapproving look.

Back at school now,
the second day,
people know their places.
Well most do anyway.

I’m like a bubble in the air.
Unsurely floating to one side,
then another.

Chase is back beside me again.
“Hey colorful.”

Colorful?
What?
I flash him a short smile.

He puts an arm around me,
pulls me closer to him.

I can smell his deodorant,
or perfume,
whatever it is.
I twist my lips,
try to free myself.

He tightens his grip,
“Where you going, princess?”

Away from you.
But I don’t say that.
I want to,
but I don’t.
Instead, I simply stare up ahead.

“I got a game tonight.
You’re coming.”

Since when?
“I can’t… I’ve got to get home early.”

He looks at me oddly,
“No you don’t.”

~ * ~

Noise.
Screaming.
Chanting.
Cheerleaders.

Rows.
Aisles.
Lost.
Bodies.

Looks.
Stares.
People.
Judging.

Whistle.
Start.
Run.
Back.

Defend.
Score.
Loss.
Attack.

Whistle.
End.
Victory.
Freedom.

I make my way quickly to the exit of the stadium,
hoping to not get trampled,
hoping to not be noticed,
to not be caught or called back.

And safely make it out I do.
Just in time.
One glance back and I see him.

His eyes lock in on mine.

And then I vanish into the crowd.