Baby Zeus by Erin D. (red queen free ebook .TXT) 📕

Pain. Pain and loneliness is all I've ever felt. Why? My father. Everyday since I was 10, abuse is all I've had.

I used to be the bubbly, hyper little girl that always wore bright colors and quickly made friends. But after the first hit, I've changed. Now I'm quiet and I wear dark clothes, making me an outcast. At the local highschool, there are many students in certain groups. But I'm the only outcast.

Being a Sophomore is easier than being a Freshman. People are used to me and barely spare me a glance. Sure, underneath all these dark and loose clothes, I have curves. An hourglass figure actually. But sadly, my body is covered in bruises and cuts. So my hope of dating is long gone. I mean, who would want to date someone who gets abused?

I wish someone would at least try to care for me and find out what's wrong. But, no. Everyone treats me like a disease; even the nerds avoid me. Honestly, I just want a normal life. One where I don't have to look over my shoulder, hoping my father isn't there.

What I'm really most worried about, though, is how people would react if they knew. Would they be too scared to help me? Am I too low on the social latter for anyone to help? Or would they help me with all their heart?

It's what I want the most - someone to help. But, nobody tries. I learned a long time ago that you can't always get what you wish for.

Chapter 1: At the Cafe with Jeff

Cold, bitter air whipped at my face as I walked down the iced street, wincing every now and then. I pulled the sleeves of my jacket over my hands and crossed them across my chest. The sky was barely lighting up - it being seven in the morning. Birds chirped merrily in their trees. Dogs barked from a distance. A cat ran in front of me to the other side of the street. I knew that it was Mrs. Lloyd's cat from the orange on the tip of it's tail.

School started at 9:05 and ended at 4:05, so I'm going to be at least two hours early. But, I didn't care. I always left home at 7:00. Sometimes, if I have money on me, I go to a small cafe a few minutes from school and buy a Pumpkin Spice. I actually have a friend there! Well, someone who talks to me.

Thankfully, this was one of those days. I took quick steps through the school parking lot, wanting to get to the warmth of the cafe as fast as possible. Grey clouds swarmed above me, letting out a rumble to make themselves known. A flash broke across afterwards, and my heart slammed hard against my chest painfully. Storms were my favorite thing. Everytime one comes, adrenaline pumps through my veins.

A light drizzle started out and I was slightly disappointed by it. The light of the cafe lit up the small street, making it seem so much brighter. The barber shop on its right was just opening up, and I waved to Mr. Owens - the owner. Jeff saw me through the window and gave me a bright smile and a hyper wave.

"Good morning." I mumbled as I walked up to the counter. Looking around, I gave small waves to Mrs. Lloyd, Mr. Lloyd, and their son, Chris. They were normal customers here. In the far left corner, by the wall, an old man sat holding hands with an old woman, both giving each other loving smiles. No one else was in here.

"Good morning, Sunshine!" he cried, running around the counter and hugging me. He started calling me that because the first time I came here, I was humming the song "Pocket Full of Sunshine", and he started screaming it at the top of his lungs. I winced from the pain, and hoped he didn't notice. Jeff pulled back and gave me a suspicious look, but ignored it. That's one thing I like about him - he doesn't ask questions. "Where have you been?!" well, he doesn't ask questions that he knows will bring trouble.

"I haven't had any money." I murmured back, putting my head down. It wasn't a complete lie... I really didn't have any money because my dad took it all to buy drugs and alcohol.

"Mhm. That's no excuse. You could have at least visited me!" he walked to the counter where three people had just come out to see what he was on about. "I'm taking my break now, Cass!" he told a lady in a nice light brown dress with her hair in a bun. Then, he took off his apron and threw it at a man . "Hold that for me, Jack."

"You're lucky I love you, Jeff. Or else I would fire your butt." The lady named Cass said, smiling.

"Oh, puh-lease. You need me and my sexy butt." Jeff joked, pretending to flip hair off his shoulders. Cass rolled her eyes along with Jack and the other dude.

Jeff grabbed my arm and led me to our normal seats - the corner by the window - talking my ear off. "My boyfriend came here because I wanted him to see you. But, you weren't here, so he couldn't meet you. Luckily, I called him yesterday, and he said that he was gonna come today and bring some friends to hang out. His friends are in high school - yours, I think - and they all want to meet you. I don't think he knows you go to the same school as them, but oh well! Who cares?!" he stopped and frowned at the look of dread on my face. "What?"

"I - I haven't told you yet..." I dragged it on. "But, ummm. I'm not really liked, nor known at school."

"What do you mean?" he asked, confused and concerned. The look was like a stab at my heart.

"Well, I'm a - ummm - an outcast. I'm not liked, and I'm not really known. You're my only friend..." I trailed off at the look on his face. He looked pissed.

"Why don't people like you?" his ground teeth made him sound and look scarier.

"I don't talk much -"

"Because no one likes you?! Honestly! You would have someone to talk to if they would try to get along with you! Do they try?! No! Not from what I've heard! I swear, when I see them -" he started to rant, but was cut off from a male voice behind him.

"Calm down, Jeff. Don't scare the poor girl away." a smile lit his lips, and Jeff turned to look at the boy - man? - behind him. "Mason!" he squealed, jumping into his arms. "You're here! I told you she'd be here! Well, I said I hoped she would, but it's the same thing!" he exclaimed, placing a hard kiss on his mouth.

"Yeah, well, what did you say to her? The dang girl looks scared outta her mind." Mason chuckled. Jeff peeked at me with an apologetic look on his face, then came and hugged me.

"I'm sorry, Sunshine." he pouted with puppy dog eyes. "Please forgive me?" no, no! Don't fall for them! Stay strong! Stay str-

I nodded, sending him a small smile.

"Yay!" he screamed. "It's just, when you said that no one ta-" immediately, his face turned deadly, and I scooted away from him. He slowly turned, and looked at a group of high school kids that I didn't notice before. "You." he growled, pointing a finger at them and taking a threatening step forward. They stepped back, looking frightened. "You all are so going to get it." and with that, he launched himself at them.

Publication Date: 11-26-2011

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
This is dedicated to a baby pup that I have taken a great liking to. He is black with a white patch on his chest. In a few weeks, he will be opening his eyes, and I can't wait!