Chapter 2

I was sitting in the backseat of the family car. My parents, casually chatting  in the front, my mother laughing at something my father said. My younger brother is beside me, playing a game on a tablet, completely unaware. To the outside world, it's a peaceful reunion. But to me, it feels like being locked in a glass box.

I clutched my bag tightly on my lap. My thoughts are loud: the memory of what happened still fresh, replaying like a broken film reel. I watch my father's hands on the steering wheel, and for a fleeting second, the image of his friend's hands flashes in my mind, my stomach tightens immediately and I felt disgusted . The ride home felt like a long and torturing one but we finally got home. Back home, I slowly unpacked my bags. The house that once  seemed like comfort and familiarity, now feels alien to me. My parents tried  to make me and my brother feel at ease by

asking about our time away, what we ate, how his friend treated us. " we had a great time" I lied.

Night finally came and I couldn't sleep. I stared at the ceiling, flinching at every creak of the house. I started avoiding eye contact with my dad, though I  knew in my  mind that  he wasn't the one who hurt me. Still, my  mind couldn't separate him from the man who did this because they were friends. I finally found sleep admist my thoughts.

It's was a school day and I wasn't sure if I was ready for school yet but I didn't show it I didn't want my family to suspect. I got up and got ready for school. My mom got my brother ready for school and they dropped us off after breakfast. We finally got to school and I knew that my friends will notice my werid behaviour. My best friend was the first to notice. She noticed that I became quite and withdrawn. I reacted differently when someone touchs my  shoulder unexpectedly. I didn't  dress the same. I avoided P.E. and started skipping lunch. Students started talking and she came to confront me about my sudden change. "you don't need to worry about me I'm fine" I told her trying to dismiss her

"well you don't look fine" she said. Just then I saw my mom's car drive into the parking lot " my mom's here i have to leave now" I said in a hurry

"make sure to call me when you get home" she yelled. I wasn't sure if I was going to call her but I said okay just to end the conversation. I should have told her cause she was my best friend but I didn't trust anyone at this point.

I got home later that afternoon. I was taking a walk round the house when I noticed my dad on a phone call. I don't know why I went to eavesdrop but I overheard him on the phone with Mr Christopher. He was laughing and chatting with his friend even planning a barbecue for the weekend, my heart raced. My vision became blury. I dropped the plate i was holding which startle my dad. My mom ran to the scene, she scolded me for being clumsy. I ran upstairs and locked myself in the bathroom. I didn't want my parents to see me crying. I felt like my parents were betraying me by keeping contact with Mr Christopher but it wasn't their fault cause they weren't aware of the situation.  At this point I wanted  to scream, to tell someone but I was scared. What if they don't believe me? What if my dad gets mad? What if they blame me for lying? Then I remembered what he said: "Don't tell anyone. No one will believe you anyway."

I began to ask  myself questions : Did it really happen? Was it my fault? Did I do something wrong? I said staring at myself at the mirror trying to find myself but  she was hidden deep down, she was scared and lost. Maybe I should tell my best friend she'll understand me. I picked up my phone and texted my best friend narrating every detail to her. I didn't feel relieved after cause I didn't know how she will react but at the same time I felt good, I was happy that I finally told someone.