Don't Tell by Mercy Amare Page B

looks really bad. I think you need stitches.”
    Her face was red. “Just, stop, ok? I’m fine.” Tears started to fill her eyes. “I’ll see you later.” She turned and walked in the opposite direction as quickly as possible. I stood there in silence watching her, wondering how I had made her so angry. As soon as the tardy bell rang, I sighed and walked in the other direction. I was now going to be late for gym.
    Great …

 
     
     
    TWO
    Party
     
     
     
    Lucy
    Why did Ian have to see that stupid bruise? I scolded myself over and over again.
    I gave him the lamest excuse: I fell… How many times had I lied about where my bruises came from? More than I could count. But when he asked me, I panicked. It was the first answer that came to my head, and it literally came out of my mouth without even thinking. It was stupid, irresponsible, and it will never happen again.
    Even worse than my lame excuse, was the fact that I had snapped at him. I had never lost my temper before, and yet I did… with Ian of all people. Why him? He’s so… perfect .
    I asked myself the same questions over and over again for the rest of the day. I knew it wouldn’t do any good. What’s done was done, and I couldn’t undo it… No matter how badly I might have wanted to.
    “ Party at Derek's tonight,” Tess informed me after the pep rally. I was a little bummed because I didn't see Ian there.
    “ Sounds lovely,” I said sarcastically. I honestly can't stand Derek Freeman. He's one of the most stuck up, arrogant people I know.
    “ Come on, Lucy. Derek isn't that bad...” she paused, shaking her head. “Ok, maybe he is, but the whole football team will be there. You know I have a thing for jocks.”
    I rolled my eyes. Tess has a thing for any member of the opposite sex. “Fine,” I agreed. Truthfully, I sort of wanted to go. I wanted to find Ian and apologize for my behavior earlier. I don't know why I reacted the way I did. I'm normally so in control of my feelings. I never let my anger, hurt or disappointment show. I'm happy Lucy. Most everybody likes me, and I'm not about to let Ian Winters, of all people, hate me.
    Yep, tonight I will show Ian that I'm not just another stuck up, prissy cheerleader.
    Tess dropped me off in front of my house so I could get ready for the party. I crawled through my window. I wasn't sure if my dad was up yet, but I wasn't going to risk waking him. When I got inside, I opened my closet and looked for something party appropriate. I heard my dad stumbling around the living room, so I knew he was awake. I tried to be as quiet as possible.
    For a moment, I tried to remember my life before mom died. I still missed her like crazy everyday. I knew that if she were still alive, she'd be in here now, helping me pick out an outfit, and helping me fix my hair.
    I sighed and stepped away from my closet. My life had done a complete one-eighty since her death. Charles, my dad, hasn't been the same. He blames me for her death. He went from a loving father, to a literal walking zombie, to an abusive alcoholic. I keep hoping that he'll snap out of it. I not only lost my mom, but I lost my dad too. I miss him.
    I heard a knock on my door and I jumped. When I opened my door, Charles was standing on the other side.
    “ Hey, Dad,” I said, hoping that today was a good day.
    “ Lucy,” his voice was slurred. He was already drunk. “Why didn't you tell me you were home?”
    “ I didn't want to bother you. I thought maybe you were still sleeping.” I sent up a silent prayer that he would accept my answer.
    “ You... think you bother me?” he took a step closer, tripping over his own feet. He caught himself on my dresser.
    “ Are you ok?”
    “ NO!” he yelled angrily, and then he started sobbing. “I can't go on without her.”
    “ I know. I miss her too.”
    He stopped crying, and looked up at me. “You don't have a right to miss her.” His voice was full of malice and disgust as he spoke to me. “You were