Chapter 2: One Month Later

It's been a month and I went back to school. I was sitting in the hallway eating lunch 'ugh spaghetti again?' it feels like this school can't cook anything else. I was picking at the so called food as I saw someone approach me their feet stopped infront of me. I looked up and saw the boy from the locker he smiled at me "hi again" I quickly put my head back down as my heart raced. 'Please go away' He knelt infront of me and tilted his head "what's wrong why did you run away that day?" I kept my head down. "Hey" he lifted my head I smacked his hand away my eyes wide he looked at me confused. "Why won't you talk to anyone?" I looked down again and shook my head as I took out my notebook showing him the 'I can't speak' I show to everyone. "Oh why's that?" he said looking at the notebook I quickly took it from him quickly writing down 'I don't want to talk about it it's personal'. I slowly handed him the book as he gently took it from my hands "oh I'm sorry" I shrugged I pointed down the hall indicating I needed to go to class. "Oh right sorry go ahead" I nodded and got up throwing my half eaten food away. I got to class and sat down 'I want this day to end already' I put my head down 'I hate school it gives me anxiety.' I heard the teacher clear her throat "okay class today we are going to read our essays out loud to the class" my head shot up in fear. Do I have to....maybe she'll skip me today "Violet you first" I got up handing her a note book "at least try" she whispered I shook my head staring at the floor. She sighed pinching the bridge of her nose as she shook her head I scratched the back of my head in defeat. I walked to the front of the class my palms sweating "m m my e e e essay i i i is a a a abou bou bout" I started to cry as the words of my father played in my head over and over "she's abnormal." I felt light headed hands shaking "I I I I'm s s s sorr sorr sorry I I I I c c ca ca can't d d do th th this" I ran out of the classroom crying. I put my back against the wall sliding to the floor slowly I put my head down sobbing. I took my phone out texting my mom to come pick me up I headed down to the office and waited for her to arrive. "Hi I'm here to pick up Violet Nielson" I looked up and saw my aunt standing talking to the front desk lady as she pointed at me. I waved when she turned around "your mom sent me to pick you up cause Dave is home" I nodded and grabbed my bag 'of course he is at least I get time with Shelly.' We got in the car "what happened" I grabbed the whiteboard 'the teacher made me read my essay infront of the class' I started to shake "oh I'm sorry sweety" I shrugged. "I'll explain to the office that you can't speak and can't be forced to do so infront of everyone if you don't feel comfortable with it." I nodded and sadly smiled 'I wish I could just be normal for once' I put my head down feeling ashamed of myself. My aunt looked over at me and patted my head like she knew what was going on in my mind. "Sweety don't worry about it okay" a tear rolled down my cheek as I looked out the window. Another day of going home early everyone must think I'm weird now can I just drop out. We pulled up to her house and sat there for a bit "I I I I'm s s sorr sorry y y you-" she rubbed my arm stopping me mid sentence "you don't need to force yourself to speak sweetheart" she smiled I nodded and got out heading to the front door. We entered the house and Snowball rubbed against my leg I smiled and picked her up going into the kitchen. 'I'm so hungry I should've eaten more of my lunch' I opened the fridge looking for something to eat. "Hungry?" my aunt came up to the fridge crouching down I nodded and she giggled "what are you in the mood for?" I shrugged. "How about pizza?" she smiled I nodded quickly she laughed "okay I'll go order it does Dominos sound good?" I nodded more excitedly this time. I grabbed my white board 'can we have a movie night too?' I smiled "sure" I clapped and ran up to my room to change into comfy clothes. I checked my phone for any notifications "you better get your ass home now or I will come and force you out of your bitch aunt Shelly's house" -Dad. I looked at it hyperventilating I ran downstairs almost tripping in the process I tapped on my aunts shoulder she turned towards me as I showed her my phone. My eyes were wide I started crying I was in a full blown panic attack at this point "When did you get this text?" she kept a calm demeaner but I could tell she was scared as well. She quickly locked the door grabbing her phone making a phone call "hey I need you to make sure Dave doesn't leave the house he texted Violet and threatened her" she walked away I sat on the couch shaking staring out the window hoping he doesn't pull into the driveway. Shelly walked back into the living room '911 what's your emergency' she called the police I was worried at this point "I need to report a threat towards my niece her dad is saying he is going to forcefully take her home he is an abusive man" she stayed by the door. 'Okay and what is the address' I sat overhearing the conversation "yes it's ********" she stayed by the door blocking it. I kept watching the driveway as a familiar car pulled in 'no it's him no no no' I ran up to my aunt pointing outside. "H h h he i i is h h he here" someone started to bang on the door. I screamed "OPEN THE DAMN DOOR NOW VIOLET IS COMING HOME I WILL BREAK DOWN THIS DOOR IF I HAVE TO" my aunt stayed on the phone 'the police are 5 minutes away' she kept her back against the door "GO AWAY DAVE!!!" she screamed "please tell them to hurry he's trying to break down the door." We heard the sirens pulling up to the house. "PUT YOUR HANDS UP NOW!!!" I sunk to the floor covering my ears I just want it all to stop. Someone knocked on the door making me jump my aunt looked out into the peep hole and opened the door "hello officer" she smiled and he walked in crouching down to me "Violet?" I looked up at him. He helped me stand up "we took him into custody you're safe" I stood still "how old are you?" I pointed to my mouth shaking my head "she doesn't speak she is a mute" my aunt walked up to me putting her hand on my shoulder "oh I see, are you able to answer some questions then?" she nodded walking outside and I stood in the doorway watching as the neighbors came outside. I stepped outside slowly as they looked at me the lady that lived next door came up to me "everything okay?" I shrugged and pointed to Dave as he was being put into the police car "oh is that him?" I nodded she knew everything that goes on at home and that I am mute. She hugged me and rubbed my back Shelly came up to us "they're taking him to the police station" I nodded I was still shaking "hi Shelly I'm sorry this happened" she put her hand on her shoulder "it was bound to happen at some point" she shrugged "mind if I stay for dinner?" she smiled putting her arm around me I nodded and smiled at her. "We're getting pizza from Dominos" my aunt put her hand on her shoulder "come on in" I smiled and we all went inside and sat down started the movie finally everything was calm again. We laughed and ate pizza and popcorn enjoying each others company and having fun this is what I have always wanted maybe I should move in with my aunt I feel safer here. I'll text my mom tomorrow about it I'm sure she'll say yes at least I hope she will if it means I am safer here than I am there she loves me so she should be okay with it all.