"Stop whimpering. Just tell him how good a brother he is.", Christopher said.
I held back my tears, covering my face. "You-you're a wonderful brother; you're caring and-"
"Louder, bitch." He kicked my sides, causing me to fall to the floor, my whole body aching.
"I-I'm sorry," I replied. "You-You're a caring brother, and you treat me so well!"
He crouched down and grabbed my face. "Now that's the stuff. Why were you so scared before? I'm your wonderful brother, Emmanuel."
He grabbed a strand of my hair and tucked it behind my ear. "Stop shivering like that; you're making me want to kill you."
I shifted back, trembling in fear. I did everything they said, everything they asked, yet they always found something to complain about.
Demons-They were demons eating my soul.
"This little bitch, are you shifting away from me?"
Emmanuel grabbed my hair and dragged me toward the wall, slamming my head against it. He had done this many times.
Christopher grabbed his arm, stopping him before he could go further.
"Tomorrow is the school trip," he said. "If you give her too many bruises, she'll have to cover herself up, and people will get suspicious. The weather will be quite hot tomorrow."
Connie skipped into the room, holding a basketball. "Emmanuel, you're not done with this girl? I'm practicing my tricks, and y'all are making so much noise."
"Uh," Emmanuel groaned. "I'm leaving her be now. Tomorrow's the trip, so she probably has a roommate. You know how girls are; they pick up on things easily. Her roommate might become suspicious."
Connie smirked. "That doesn't sound like a decision you made on your own."
He hit him on the shoulder. "Of course, Christopher reminded me, but are you saying I'm stupid?"
"Can you two play somewhere else?" Christopher begged. "Shouldn't you be practicing, Conifer?"
"Don't fucking call me that. You know I hate hearing my full name," he said, twirling his ball and walking back to his room. "You better leave too, Emmanuel. Don't cause a ruckus or distract me again."
Connie disappeared into the hallway, leaving the three of us.
Emmanuel stretched, narrowly avoiding my eyes. "I'll leave her now," he told Christopher. "I've hit her enough to be in her nightmares tonight."
They walked away, Christopher slower, as if he wanted to stop but kept going. He glanced at me once before disappearing completely.
I got up, immediately slipping on my saliva; Emmanuel punched me several times before Christopher stopped him.
I looked up, wiping my lips as I tried to ignore the heavy feeling in my heart.
I was in the kitchen, the plate that caused tonight's beatings in the sink. Emmanuel said the food had too much salt.
I gritted my teeth, trying not to look at the knives. If I kept staring, I might end up killing myself.
I sat down, slamming my head against the wall as blood slowly dripped down. Wasn't it better to end my life? I had nothing to lose anyway.
I laid my head down, my lips almost forming a smile, but I wasn't sure I could do it.
I had decided: I would put an end to this pitiful life tomorrow.
----------------------
Caran Airport.
"Do not switch seats once you are placed. We have wasted enough time because of our delayed flight. I will not be repeating any warnings!"
Muffles were everywhere, as I sat by the window, the spot I had been assigned to.
Ariana got lucky and got a seat next to her boyfriend; she waved at me now and then, but I really wished she wouldn't.
Today would be the last day she would see me anyway.
A loud thud made me turn my head; it turned out to be from someone taking the seat next to me.
Marcus, a popular senior; since this school trip was for the 11th and 12th grades, I expected this sort of thing to happen.
I had heard from a few people that he was a rash person, but he was good at most of the things he did, which in people's eyes made up for his horrible personality.
I put my earphones in my ears, scanning through my phone for something I could play; best if it could put me to sleep.
"Hey".
I removed one of my earphones, turning to listen to him. "Is something wrong?"
"Do you think I can smoke in here?"
I almost rolled my eyes, controlling myself. "I'm not sure".
His eyes followed one of the air hostesses as she attended to other students. "Should I ask her? Maybe I could even get her number".
"Do whatever you like".
His hand suddenly went to mine, holding it in place.
My body shivered as I pulled my hand away immediately.
"Is something wrong with you?" I hissed, feeling something boiling inside me.
My brothers already saw me as shit; would people at school start doing the same too?
He giggled, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that yet. I actually want to ask you for something, Apple."
I dropped my phone. "How do you know my name?"
9"Wait a minute, you know?!" His eyes widened, and he came closer. "You're like so unknown; I saw your name in the register, and since I hadn't heard of you, I thought you just weren't as popular. Then I started talking to people in your class, and they said they 'think' they've heard your name before".
I threw my head back; I knew no one knew me; I had worked an entire year to make sure things were like that.
"Is there something you want from me, perhaps?" I finally asked.
"Now we're talking." He looked around, making sure no one was listening. "You know that girl I've been with for a year now, Addison."
"I don't know".
"Either way, Apple", He continued. "She's already moved on, and we only broke up about three months ago, so I want you to date me; let's make her jealous".
"No", I put the earphones back in. "I'm not interested, thank you very much".
"Just like that?!" He attempted to grab my arm, but I moved it away. "After I considered you, although you're nowhere near what I could ever be!"
The hostess appeared behind him suddenly, tapping him on the shoulder. "Please reduce your volume, love, " she said. "There are other people on this plane".
He blushed slightly, nodding. "Will do, Ma'am".
I pressed play on a song, closing my eyes. I would fall asleep, and hopefully when I woke up, we would be in France.