Make a wish

Emily

"Where have you been?" His voice was scarily calm.

"I-i-i" I just couldn't find the right word to say or come up with. Joshua is in my room. Right now I wish that the ground will open and I will gladly jump inside.

His eyes travelled down to the white leather in my hands.

"Oh Emily" He chuckled darkly. "You know I hate it when you disappoint me." 

With each words he got up and took slow menacing steps towards me. I backed up against the wall in fear, feeling my heart pounding against my ribcage.The way Joshua is approaching me felt like a predator slowly stalking his prey. I was cornered, no escape.

Earlier this morning he told me not to eat or make any food for myself but I was tempted like really hungry so I decided to sneak out to buy some snacks from the little savings I had. Now see where it has gotten me to.

My eyes darted to the door and I thought about making a run for it which i did.

Big mistake.

In a swift motion, Joshua grabbed me by my hair. I let out a scream of pain, trying to get his hand to let go of the death grip has on my hair.

"Do you think you can escape me?" He whispered harshly in my ear.

"Please don't." I begged, when I saw him holding up his belt. The first hit came so fast that I barely had the chance to dodge it.

"You stupid bitch!" He screamed. " You will never disobey me again." He swung his belt again, hitting my back.

"Please stop." Tears were already streaming down my cheeks.

"You're so ungrateful! I took care of you, fed you and you still have the guts to disobey me!! I fucking told you not to eat anything but you went behind my back and bought snacks!" Joshua slapped me hard as he said that.

"I'm s-sorry, I'm sorry." I cried.

"Damn right you are" He snared "You are so stupid, useless, ugly, a fucking mistake!"

I couldn't feel my eyes water again, not because of the belt but because of his words. Am I really a mistake? I stayed on the floor, limp as I stayed on the cold ground, feeling stinging pains all over my body.

Joshua picked up the white leather and grabbed a fistful of my hair. I hissed in pain, my scalp was stinging. He dragged me to the living room and threw the leather into the furnace. Oh No. My favorite jacket. I held my head as he let go of the tight grip he had on my hair.

"I specifically instructed you not to eat food today and you went out and bought snacks, as your punishment for that, you will be given extra chores and dont even dare think of eating any food tomorrow." I stared at Joshua with wide eyes. What does he mean extra chores? I sweep, wash the dishes, do the laundry, wash his car, take out the trash and cook. I possibly can't think of anymore chores I have to do.

"What do you mean by extra chores?"

Joshua smiled smugly at me "Like dusting the roofs and cleaning the basement." I internally smiled, dusting the roofs and cleaning the basement is not a big deal. Im even more happy about dusting the roofs.That way I can have an excuse to watch the stars. I frowned, realising that I won't be allowed to eat tomorrow.                        

"Okay sir" I muttered quietly.

Giving me one last smirk, he turned around and walked up to his room. I slowly got up but hissed when I felt sharp pain in my left rib. I got the first aid kit and treated my wounds before heading upstairs to my room. I changed into a yellow pajamas and plopped down on the bed, as I felt my eyes getting heavy. I closed my eyes, falling into a deep slumber.

_______

The next morning, I woke up to the buzz of my alarm. I shut it off as soon as possible. The belt mark from yesterday's beatings are already fading away, but that doesn't erase the pain. I quickly got up anyways and made my way to the bathroom. I took my bath and changed into an oversized green hoodie. I slipped on a pair of leggings and see runners. I tied my hair in a ponytail before heading down to the living room.

When I was done with the house chores, Joshua walked in, looking all dressed up. He was putting on a purple button up shirt with black jeans and a pair of converse. His hair was slightly styled and jelled, hate to admit it but he looked good. His green eyes flickered towards me as he glared. "Are you too old to greet me now?"

"N-no sir, forgive me" I said quickly. He rolled his eyes and proceeded to grab his car keys from the table.

"Am going somewhere and will be back in the evening, make sure to cook my favorite food today and don't you dare eat any food cause you won't like the results." With that he left, slamming the door shut behind him. I couldn't help but grin as I stated at the door. I ran towards the couch in the living room and jumped on it, making sure to sit down and make myself comfortable. I grabbed the TV remote and scrolled through channels till I finally found a channel that was showing a Netflix movies. When Joshua was around I wouldn't dare to switch on the TV, I love it when he goes out on weekends because I'll be watching enough movies. My favorite is "The Originals"

My stomach mumbled and mumbled but I ignored it, keeping my face fixed on the TV. I was tempted to go to the kitchen and a grab a bag of popcorn and a can of coke but I had to stay strong, I don't think I can handle another round of beating.

After the movie ended, I got up and waddled to the house feeling bored. I stopped right in front of Joshua's bedroom. The only time I got his room is when I usually clean it. I stepped right pass his room and decided to go the basement instead. The basement was a little dusty which means I won't have a hard time cleaning it. I brought the box that contains my toys and board games. Signing I placed the box back on the shelf and walked towards my room. I sat down on the bed playing with a strand of my hair. I really need to get a hair out. I wonder how it would feel to have a mother gently brushing your hair. I hate my life. I have no real family, no friends, why can't i just live a life like a normal sixteen year old teenager? I can't continue like this. I just want to be happy, have a real smile on my face. Is that too much to ask for? Being in a foster care is way better than living with Joshua. I glanced at my new locked up windoe, I don't know how or when he decided to lock up my window. I walked up to it and try to open it bit it was pretty useless. Great! Now my only source of escape is locked. At least I can go to the roof to watch the stars.

My eyes drifted to the wall clock. Holy macaroni fudge balls! It's 5:30pm! I ran to the kitchen and brought out the ingredients from the cupboard dudes in making grilled chicken and avocado salad. I hate making this, how on earth can someone eat chicken ab avocado together?

When I was done with preparing the food, I made a mouth watering custard and overloaded cake for dessert. It took all in me not to take a bite out of it. When I settled the food on the dinning table, I heard Joshua's car pulling over in the garage. I scrambled from the dinning room, going to the living room, and quickly switched off the TV.

I said behind the couch and lowered my head when I heard approaching footsteps from the porch. Joshua opened the door slamming it behind him before tossingchis keys on the table.

"Welcome back sir" I greeted.

"Where is my dinner?" He grumbled.

"In the dinning room sir" where else will it be?? The toilet? I snickered at the thought forgetting Joshua was in front of me.

He glared at me. "What are you laughing at?"                          

"Nothing sir."

He passed my side to the dinning room. I carefully watch him as he took a bite out of the grilled chicken. He glanced at me and muttered something under his breath.

"Go and eat." He grumbled.

"Huh?" I wanted to be sure I heard him right. Did he just say I can go and eat!

He glared. "Did I fucking stutter?" "No sir." I replied quickly."Thank you"

I practically ran to the kitchen and scooped of the custard cake in a bowl, before taking a glass of orange juice. I awkwardly passed him and walked up to my room.

I sat on the bed and started eating, turns out I was very hungry. After eating, I waited in my room for a while before going downstairs and thanked God Joshua was done with his food. I washed the plate and went to the storage room. I carefully climbed the ladder that leads to the roof and sat down, watching the beautiful stars shinning bright. I brought my knees up close to my self cursing myself for not bring a blanket.

"Look at the star" a voice in my head told me. I gazed up the stars to see the star shinning even more brighter than before. A small gasp escaped my lips when I sighted something move really fast in the sky.

Oh my God!

It's a shooting star! I stared at it in awe, it was so beautiful.

'Make a wish'

Closing my eyes I took in a deep breath. "I-I wish.. i would finally be happy for once in my life." Opening my eyes, I watched as the star moved pass me.

I closed my eyes and smiled, feeling like things are going to be okay for me.

I would finally be happy.