You're Not In This Alone

"Freak." "Fat ass slut" they yell at me as they shove me to the floor in the locker room, hitting and kicking me as I fall. I curl up, sobbing my eyes out as footsteps become audible and the group of 'Popular' girls run off. I lay there for a moment before dragging myself off the floor and fixing my uniform. I hate this school, I really do. Everyone here is a posh stuck up spoilt brat who belongs in a private school like this and I don't fit in, but I know how hard my dads work to be able to afford to send me here so I say nothing, enduring the daily verbal and physical abuse that they seem to think I deserve because I don't come from a rich family and the family I do have are two gay dads, which apparently makes me a freak. I walk over to the mirror on the wall and fix my messed up hair, wiping my red swollen eyes before picking up my bag and leaving for my next class, art. When I sneak into the room ten minutes late the teacher sends me a nasty look and I hang my head, expecting to get detention for being late but his expression softens when he takes in my appearance. He doesn't say a word, letting me slink to the back of the room and take my seat, pulling out my book and getting to work on my latest sketch. I get lost in the lines on the page and the next thing I know the bell rings, startling me and signalling the end of the school day. "Ruby stay behind please" my teacher, Mr Stump requests and I sigh as I remain seated while everyone else leaves. Once the room is empty besides the two of us he stands from his seat and closes the door before making his way over to me. "Ruby, is there anything you'd like to talk about?" He asks as he kneels beside my desk. "Uh, no I'm fine." He lets out a sigh before resting his hand on my upper thigh, right where my skirt ends and I take a shaky breath. "Are you sure?" He asks, his voice lower than before and I quickly stand from my chair, almost knocking it over as I grab my bag and run from the room, feeling confused by his touch.

I make my way out of the school and I'm halfway home when I see the group of girls who make my life a living hell on the street up ahead so I quickly change my direction, deciding to go see dad at work and escape yet another beating. I rush along the street until I reach the guitar store, taking a deep breath before going inside and seeing dad helping a customer. He sends me a smile and I nod at him as I make my way around the counter to sit down. "Hey Rubes" says a familiar voice and I look up, throwing Matt a weak smile. "Hey Matt" I reply and he comes to sit beside me behind the counter. I've known Matt basically my whole life. He's my dad's best friend and business partner and he always offers good advice. "How was school?" He asks, bumping my shoulder with his. "Fine I guess, same old shit" I tell him and he nods in understanding, wrapping one arm around me and squeezing me lightly, offering his support. I smile up at him and he smiles back before letting me go and making his way out to help the new customer that just came in. A few minutes later dad finishes with his customer and comes around to me but stops in his tracks when he sees my face. He gently cups my chin in his heavily tattooed hand as he looks at the bruise forming on my cheek. "Oh baby girl" he sighs out as he lets go of my chin and grabs my hand, pulling me out of my chair and into his arms. I go willingly, wrapping my arms around him as I bury my face in his chest and one of his hands gently strokes my back as the other strokes my hair. "Come on" he tells me as we pull apart and I follow him out to the back of the store, sitting on the stairs that lead to the back alley. He pulls his cigarettes from his pocket and puts one in his mouth before pulling a second one from the pack and holding it to my mouth. I take it and let him light it before inhaling a lung full of soothing, calming smoke before blowing it back out, sighing in relief. "Don't tell your father" he tells me, nodding his head towards the cigarette hanging from my fingers and I smile and wink at him, taking another drag. He smiles back before taking a drag of his own, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me into his side and cuddling me close, offering me silent support as we smoke our cigarettes.

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