Being hated sucks.

It's like no matter what you do to appease others, it always comes back to bite you. The awful little rain cloud that chases away the sun. The scribbles on your canvas in a thick, permanent marker. A big 'screw you' from the world.

What's worse? Accepting that there's really no one out there who'll ever truly be on your side. To lose trust in everyone else. Because instead, you know deep inside that in the world, they're ready to kick you to the dirt, spit on you and make sure you never live without watching your back.

I unfurled my back, wincing as I stretched my limbs. They really did a number on me this time. It’s going to be hard to find any skin on my back that isn’t bruised tomorrow.

With shaking legs, I rose to my feet, bracing the tree. My bags and notes were scattered everywhere - most of them were definitely lost by now - and my phone was (thankfully) still in my pocket, albeit a little cracked.

I pressed the on button and sure enough, the screen lit up.

Good enough.

One by one, I painstakingly gathered each sheet (except for a few that had fallen into the little stream and were beyond saving) and stuffed them into my now badly damaged bag.

I was going to have to stitch that back up when I got home. There was so much stuff that I had to replace or fix.

My pocket buzzed.

Dad.

“Hello?” I asked into the phone nonchalantly.

“Hi Angelica!” I grimaced.

“I’m not Angelica.” I folded one of my arms and clenched my teeth.

“Oh, sorry Ember. Think I dialled the wrong number.”

Of course. As expected.

I ran my free hand through my hair, thoroughly annoyed with the situation already. And he only just said hi!

“Anyway, while I’ve got you on the phone, can you buy some more chalk and a couple of groceries for the sides today?” He commanded. I could hear the banging of the spoon against the iron pots in the background.

“Thanks. I’ll send you the list.” The phone disconnected.

I growled.

I didn’t have a single penny on me, and my card was at home. He didn’t even have the decency to ask if I had enough, or how I was doing, or even if I was okay. Great.

My heart burned.

I phoned back angrily, and took a few deep breaths.

“Hello? Ember?”

“I don’t have any cash on me. Card’s at home too.” I gritted my teeth, roughly running my hand through my hair.

He cursed, “Next time, take some. I’ll get them for now - It’ll be quicker for me to go and grab them. Just head on home.”

Disconnected again. Not even a goodbye, or asking if I want to be picked up. Rude.

I clenched my phone. I screamed, loud and clear into the air. The birds that hid silently in the trees now fluttered away, squawking and shrieking.

The winds and the susurration of the amber and yellow leaves alone were even more deafening to hear.

Maybe if I try explaining to him again, he’ll come around.

Maybe if I ask for help, he’ll stay by my side.

I looked down at my shoes and clenched my hand harder. Another crack formed on my phone.

I was so utterly stupid. No one is worth trusting in that house. Not even myself, and my traitorous heart.

With a huge swing, I slung my bag over my shoulders and headed home.

I could hear the banging of the pots and the rushing of the water from the taps when I opened the front door. Dad was probably running around hectically from place to place, trying to make sure that the food didn't burn like he did last week.

Just as I was about to enter the living room, I caught my face in the mirror - blood trickled and dried from some spot on my head. Not good.

Sneakily, I used the back of my black sleeve to try and wipe away some of the blood off my forehead, but I couldn’t do much else with the dried up dirt on my cheek.

“Did you get in another fight, Ember? That makes the third one this month.”

I jumped, spinning around to see Dad behind me, carrying the groceries.

“Jeez, you’re gonna give me a heart attack-”

He dropped the bags to the floor and yanked my wrist away from my face, snapping my chin up with his other hand to roll my head from side to side like a ragdoll.

I pushed him away when I could feel his nails dig further into my cheeks.

“Ouch! It hurts enough already. Be a little more gentle, would you?” I pouted, rubbing my cheek.

“What’s the point, when you take no regard for your own safety?” He snapped angrily. So this was how he was going to be today.

I was in for a verbal lashing.

Was it so hard to ask for just one gentle response from him?

He stepped closer, but I shuffled further away.

Tears pricked my eyes and I cradled my arm. “I told you, I never started any of those. I just wanted to be left alone.” I started, pushing down the wobbling in my throat, but he shoved me back against the wall and pinned me against it.

“Ember, just please stop fooling yourself.” He clutched my shoulders with both of his arms, shaking me, “You’re going to end up dead in a ditch, six feet under or sleeping with the fishes! You’re not helping anyone at all. Not even yourself.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I clenched my teeth and glared right back at him.

“So what, I’m supposed to let them beat me? I would have had it worse if I didn’t fight back, Dad.” I pushed forward, but he slammed me back into the wall, hitting my head a little too hard.

From the corner of my eye I saw Mum creeping out silently from the kitchen. Dad noticed too, but he kept on going.

“You’re supposed to stay out of trouble! Is that so hard?”

“When other people are intent on making trouble for you? Absolutely!” I exclaimed, like it was obvious, and it really was.

Dad sighed.

“I don’t understand where we went wrong in raising you. How did you turn out to be such a-”

I snapped.

“Keep on going, keep on saying how I’m a misguided individual again! A good-for-nothing. Are you idiotic?” I seethed. “You just aren’t listening to me! Can you only hear the sound of your own voice? Wait, no because you hang on to every word Angelica speaks because she’s the gospel!” I banged my fist against the wall behind me desperately. “Despite the numerous times that I’ve told you, you never even stopped to consider the fact that she isn’t your little-miss-perfect! She’s nothing but a fraud-”

“That’s enough Ember.” He roared. “What do you have against Angelica? Because she has better grades? Because she’s got her magic and you haven’t?”

“Because she’s stringing everyone along with a lie, and all of you are foolish enough to fall for everything she says.” I grabbed his shoulder and twisted his arm away roughly without hurting him.

He looked pained, angrier.

I silenced myself.

What was I doing?

I let go of his wrist and held the fabric of his sleeve gently.

“I want help, Dad. This is the last time I’m asking you. I’m being continuously hurt by people I barely talk to, and I want to be free from- from this cycle,” I stuttered quietly into his ears. “Please, if you just consider what I’m saying to be true, just once. Would you save me?” I peered into his eyes, searching for an answer, any positive emotion that meant he still cared about me like he did before.

But no. Anger clouded his green eyes.

“I’ve honestly tried to believe you, Ember. There’s just too much against you this time.”

I shuttered my eyes shut, just as the last vestiges of my hope snapped and disappeared into nothingness.

I strolled to the stairs and gripped the bannister. I threw my head over my shoulder to glance at him and Mum.

“You were right, Dad.” I said sweetly with a sad smile. “No one in this world is worth trusting.”

I stormed up the stairs. At the top, Angelica leaned against my closed bedroom door.

“I hope you’re pleased with yourself, you two-faced bimbo.” I snapped.

“Well, yes actually.” She smiled a Cheshire cat grin, her blue eyes shining brightly. “Just one step closer to being the only child they’ll look towards-”

I shut the door in her face.

I didn’t want to listen to another one of her inferiority-complex monologues.

I tossed my bag onto the chair and grabbed some more clothing from my drawers, picking the softest fabrics I had.

Wincing, I undressed myself in the bathroom, observing the bruises I had. It was a disgusting collage of black and blue - proof that I was just as weak and useless as Angelica said, as Mum and Dad said.

My face was better looking than my back. Nothing but a small cut at the top of my forehead, which could be easily hidden by my unruly auburn curls - a shared trait from my dad.

Tired, green eyes stared back at me. How much further would I sink?

Gently, I washed the blood and dirt from my body, being careful not to aggravate my wounds further. I added a plaster to my forehead, and one to my finger where I had managed to cut it open on a rock of some sorts when I tripped.

There.

I still looked awful.

I swore to myself that this was the last time I would get hurt this badly. I was tired of being the underdog.

I’ll be independent and stronger tomorrow, no matter what.

Someone smacked the door hard. “Ember, it’s time for dinner, and we have something to say to you.” Mum shouted, before rushing off again.

Nothing good, for sure.

Speedily, I dressed myself and headed downstairs for a certainly eventful dinner tonight.

Everyone had already started eating, leaving out a bowl of stew for me and some side salads and breads.

I took my place.

I sighed and took a spoonful.

“Daddy, have you seen the progress I’ve made with Mummy today? I think I might be able to do my first spell tomorrow!” Angelica laughed pleasantly, giving me the side-eye.

“Really? I might have to sit with you guys and watch. Maybe your training with me will start sooner than I thought.” He mused.

“I can’t wait!” She squealed excitedly.

“I’m so proud of my daughter!” Nicole clapped her hands.

The food became much harder to swallow.

I took another spoonful in silence.

“Ember, aren’t you happy for me?”

All eyes turned on me. I coughed awkwardly, “Of course I’m happy for you, you’re finally going to have something good to say about yourself.”

A blood vessel became much more defined on Angelica’s head.

“Ember!” Mum gasped, appalled.

“What? I thought you wanted me to be truthful?” I asked innocently, batting my eyelashes.

Dad gave me a disgusted look. “If you have nothing nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.”

I muttered a “sure” before going back to my meal.

We continued onwards in silence, until Dad coughed awkwardly.

“Ember, your mother and I have decided on something, and we want you to listen.” He spoke soundly. I could see him debate with himself until Mum finally nudged him and gave him a look.

“We don’t think you’re safe to stay here anymore. You should move out next year for university. We don’t have much safety to offer you here from whoever wants to hurt you, and we think moving out of town would help you out a lot.”

I froze. Stew dripped down from my spoon into the bowl.

“Really?” I asked, shocked.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Angelica sip her water smugly. I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I leapt to the other side of the table and hugged Dad tightly. “I’d already saved up enough to put me through the first year of accommodations, but finally hearing your approval is really great to hear.” I finally let him go, and gave him my biggest grin.

“I’ll do my best at university!” I saluted.

“Of course, I’ll help pay for some of the accommodations and fees to help you get by there, but if you need some more, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

“Thanks Dad,” I smiled, a genuine one this time.

My smile dropped when I saw Mum frown. “But what about the money needed to train Angelica? The materials we use aren’t exactly cheap here.”

“Why not get some from the other side? It’s cheaper there.” Dad pointed out.

“And what about Angelica’s university? We don’t have much money to give to her either-”

“Just admit it Mum, you just don’t want to spend money on me,” My eyes darkened and I looked back at Dad, pained. “I understand. Thanks for your offer, Dad, but I have my own ways of making money. I don’t need your help.” I looked down at my bowl and took another sip.

Dad made a noise of disagreement, but before he could protest, Angelica sighed and clattered the spoon into her empty bowl.

“Mum, can we do some more practice before bed?” Angelica asked.

“Sure, Ember put these bowls away.”

Dad debated with himself for a few seconds, before finally speaking out, “Mine too, I want to be there when you finally light that candle.” Dad leapt to his feet sprinting behind Angelica and Mum, and following them into the basement.

Angelica returned and strolled to her side of the table. She snatched her phone off the table, smirking. Her slimy lips were brought next to my ears.

“Sorry, Ember. It’s not my fault that you’re incapable of magic. They’d love you if you just had even a smidgeon of it. It’s simply fate.” She concluded, stroking my cheek mockingly.

I gripped her wrist hard.

No one was going to speak to me like that.

“Angelica. You’re the one I feel sorry for. Imagine how long you have to keep this facade for.” I smiled back, bringing my own lips to her ears, as she had done to me. “And when it falls, you’ll never get what you desired most.”

Her smile dropped. “You’ll lose everything you hold dear to me, Ember. And you’ll destroy it all with your own hands! Look forward to it, you dud.” She hissed, before spinning on her heels.

She stormed off, her eyebrows twitching in anger.

I sat at the table alone, along with the 3 empty bowls, and my own, still half full. My smile dropped along with the tears that my eyes kept a hold of for so long. My heart twisted into knots, and all of the tension in my limbs finally released.

I clutched my face and sobbed in silence, with no one to wipe my tears.