“What is wrong with you? Why can’t you just listen to me? I am trying to help you become a better person, okay? Just listen to me!” She is talking to me as I look to the window, whipping the blood from under my nose. I feel the lump in my throat, but I know that if I let her see that will make matters worse, but I can’t hold the tears. “Are you kidding me? Get up! Now!” I try to stand, but my body is weak. She grabs my hair yanking me from the carpeted floor, dragging me behind her to the stairs. She throws me in front of her and pushes and kicks me. I get to the top and I hit the wall, slowly sliding to the floor. “Go to your bed until I get back. You hear me?” I nod and run for the bed before she could get angrier. I hear the door shut and the tears flood my face. I stand and creep to the bathroom. There is blood on my blue shirt and my hair is messed up. I walk to the dresser and grab a new shirt, but I slip it into my backpack so I can change when I get to school...so she doesn’t know I changed. I also slip an old comb in the side pocket. I hear the front door handle move and run the bed. “Get down here now! You’re not walking! I’ll drop you off!”