If you look at one of our family photos you'd think we're a big happy family. Two loving parents and six happy and healthy children, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Behind those smiles hides many dark secrets.

Our mother works multiple jobs and is rarely home. Even with her working so much we still struggle to make ends meet. Our father is an extremely violent and hardcore alcoholic. However, the only one he ever takes his anger and aggression out on is me. He also rather be out drinking wherever he can then be at home with his family.

My twenty-one-year-old sister is the apple of my parent's eyes. To them, she can do no wrong, whereas I can do nothing right. Even though she got whatever she wanted at home she moved out the first chance she got. Much to the dismay of our parents, especially after she got engaged to an abusive lowlife. He rarely let her come visit or even call our parents.

I also have four younger siblings ranging from ages four to ten, two brothers and two sisters. Who I've been practically raising their whole lives. I do everything in my power to protect them, even if it means taking all the abuse from our father and sometimes our extended family as well. Although they seem to love my younger siblings just as much as my parents.

My weekdays consist of a constant pattern; take my siblings to school and drop them off, then go to school myself. Which I dread probably more than most. Not only do I have to deal with the crap at home, but I go to school and get my ass kicked almost on a daily basis. With no friends in school and no friends outside of school, I always feel alone. So I just keep my head down at school and as soon as the bell rings I hurry out and hope no one sees me. I pick up my siblings and take them home. Where I hope our father isn't there and if he is hopeful, not drunk. The slightest thing could set him off and of course, he'll take it out on me.

I don't have any family members I can talk to because most of our extended family seems to enjoy watching the abuse and sometimes even join in. I can't talk to my older sister because she's daddy's little princess and would probably tell him everything I say. He already looks for any reason possible to beat me. I told my mom to stay out of it so my siblings would always have a mother and someone to love them. I feel like I'm alone in a world that doesn't seem to want me.

One day for some stupid reason I downloaded a dating app on my phone. I wasn't looking to date anyone or a relationship, but just for a friend. However as soon as I activated my profile I started getting messages, but the only messages I was getting were from perverts and people just wanting sex.

I was discouraged and getting ready to delete my account when I got a message from a man named Kurt. When I saw that he was three times my age I ignored his message, but for some reason, I didn't delete the account that night. The next morning. The next morning while I was getting ready for school he messaged me again. Against my better judgment, I messaged him back and I was glad I did.

I was glad I finally had someone to talk to. He made me feel like the world wasn't such a dark place after all, but I didn't tell him everything that was going on at home. We did talk all day every day, but he started acting weird when he wanted to meet up in person. I was reluctant and kept blowing him off. However, I didn't realize what lengths he would go to find me.

About a month after Kurt's first message, the day started off like any other. When I got up mom was already gone to work and it looks like our dad never came home again last night. So I got my siblings up and ready to go. However, by the time we walked out the door I knew I'd be extremely late, but I was able to get them there right on time. I ran around the school grounds and was about to cross the street when a black sports car came out of nowhere.

" What the hell asshole?!" I yelled hitting his window. "You almost hit me!"

I began to back up as the door started to open and a man started to get out.

"I assure you hitting you was not my intention."

No way, that voice. It can't be.

"I was merely trying to get your attention." he continued stepping out.

I quickly started backing up. "Kurt, what are you doing here? How did you find me?"

"I want to know why you've been ignoring me," he questioned, walking towards me.

"I haven't been ignoring you," I replied as I continued to back away. "I've just been busy," I said before backing into the wall.

"Likely excuse." He replied walking right up to me. "You couldn't come up with something more original?" he asked, putting his hand on the wall beside my head.

I looked away, for some reason I couldn't seem to make eye contact with him. He leaned over and tried to make eye contact. He smiled, reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone.

"Hey! What are you doing?" I yelled trying to grab it back.

"If you want it back, come here after school," he said, handing me a card. "Or..." he continued walking around to the passenger side. "You could come now." he proposed opening the door.

I looked at him for a moment. "I can't," I replied, dropping my head.

He closed the door and started walking back around. "Very well," he replied, getting into the drivers' side. "Then I'll see you after school."

"Kurt, wait!" I called, but it was too late. He was already speeding off. "Damit!"

I leaned against a light post and just stared at the card Kurt gave me. I don't know how long I was standing there for before I remembered I had to get to class. I started running towards the high school and straight to my first-period math class. I was surprised to see the door open, I took a breath and walked in.

"Late again young man?" the teacher Mr. Rush asked.

"Sorry, Sir," I replied, lowering my head.

"I don't want to hear your sorry!" he snapped. "This is the third time this week alone."

"I know but-"

WHAM!! Mr. Rush slammed the textbook on an empty desk

Class starts snickering.

"You will come back here during lunch and we will continue this conversation. Got it?"

"Yes sir"

"Good then, then take your seat."

I kept my head down as I walked to the back of the class and sat by the window.

Surprisingly the rest of the morning was quiet. I went from math to English to Phys. Ed without any issues. I slowly made my way back to Mr. Rush's class. When I walked in he was at the whiteboard writing out questions.

"Sir." I quietly said walking in.

"Ah, there you are." Mr. Rush said, closing his book. "Here take a seat." he continued sliding a chair beside his desk.

I put my bag on one of the desks and sat down.

"This semester alone, how many days do you think you've been late?" he asked, taking a seat behind his desk.

I don't know sir."

"Well, I pulled it up during my free period. We're halfway through this semester and you already have forty-three unexplained tardies." he leaned back in his chair.

"That is a lot." I quietly said.

"So since this semester started you've been late for more than half the days. Do you have an explanation for this?"

I couldn't tell him what's really going on at home, it'll only make things worse. "No, sir." I sighed.

"Very well then, I'll be calling your parents-"

"No!" I yelled jumping up and slamming my hands on the desk. "There's no reason to get them involved. Please."

"This is not up for discussion." he snapped. "We need to find the root of the problem and fix it before it gets any worse."

"I understand that, but I'll do anything." I pleaded. "Just don't call my parents."

The bell suddenly rang

"Well it looks like I'll see you tomorrow morning," he said, picking his book up and walking to the board. "And for once young man, be on time. You're dismissed," he said before turning to the board.

"But sir."

"Dismissed!" he snapped.

I swiped my bag off the desk and stormed out the door.

My first-afternoon class was history and while we were in the library I looked up the directions to the address on the card. I was surprised to see he wanted to meet at a cafe. After history was unfortunately biology. I don't know why I even signed up. Half the time I can't keep up and don't know what the hell is going on.

When the bell rang I stood out in the courtyard contemplating whether or not meeting up with Kurt was a good idea or not. I was already going to be in trouble with Mr. Rush calling, but maybe if I'm not home when he calls they'll have time to cool off. Or maybe if I'm really lucky he won't end up calling at all and hope he's not with my dad when I get home. Besides if I arrive home without my phone and without a reason my dad will be twice as pissed. Well, I guess I have no choice, I walked out of the courtyard and headed the opposite way home.

It was a fifteen-minute walk to find the cafe. I stood at the bottom of the stairs and watched people go in and out.