1 Finding myself

It's Sunday morning. I lay in my bed dreading getting up to deal with my family. Surely they are awake waiting to make my life more dreadful by the day. My father, Larry, is an overweight, hardworking, mean man. He doesn't care much for me. He doesn't say it, but it's extremely readable from the looks he gives me. My mother, Tracy, is a loving, caring, grateful woman who deserves better than my piece of shit father. I truly believe he hates her too. He doesn't treat her well. My brother and my sister are older than I am and both despise me. Maybe because I was an accident in everyones eyes but my mothers.

I finally get the courage to get up and get ready for the day. I go into the bathroom and start the shower looking into the mirror before getting into the shower. "why can't I just be better" I think to myself. There isn't anything special about me. I'm not gorgeous, I'm not ugly but I'm not pretty if that makes sense. I have plain blonde hair and I'm overweight. I'm short with pale skin. Freckles cover my face with bright blue eyes and a small button nose. Shaking my head at my reflection, I get into the shower.

I get dressed as quickly as possible not putting a single thought into my outfit. I wouldn't dare do my makeup, I'd only make myself uglier. "Here I go....." I say outloud to myself thinking it would help me gain the courage I need to face these horrible people that are supposed to be family.

"Well there is the lazy piece of shit now!" dad says as I make my way to the kitchen for some food before i head out. "Larry please, keep those comments to yourself." Mother says trying to defend me. "Mom, it's fine." I say shooting her a soft smile. I move to the fridge to get a yogurt so I can remove myself from this horrible situation. Dad makes his way towards me but the back sliding door is to my right and I make my way out before he can get in my face and mentally beat me down.

Grace is one of my only friends. It's weird because she is so much more beautiful than I am and she is so sweet and popular. I'm jealous but also really attracted to her. I've been attracted to her since the beginning. She's almost not human with her features and how she moves. I think that attracts me to her even more. She is outside waiting for me as if she knew something was going on. She strides over to me effortlessly and embraces me in a hug. She's always cold. Like to the touch ever since I could remember, she been cold. But it was comforting. Everything was comforting about her.

"Jessica! I've missed you bestie! I just figured I'd come stop by and to my surprise you're already out here!" she hugs me tighter and let's me go. "Yeah.....I just needed some air. You know how my dad is." I let out a sigh of relief as if I've been holding onto a breath since I walked outside. "Buuuuutttt I am so happy you're here. Can we go to your house?" I hope she says yes. "Are you kidding?!?! You know you're always welcome whenever you want." Grace is so caring and super supportive of me. She always knows what to say. We make our way a little further down the road to her house.

Five minutes later we arrive in front of her house. She lives alone. She is 25 years old, just 2 years older than me. Her house is gorgeous on the outside and just as gorgeous on the inside. Grace's living room is covered with gothic style items. It's super cute and has a kind of "vampire" feel to it. Which I love. If I could be any imaginary thing it would totally be a vampire. Or werewolf.

Grace breaks my train of thought by asking if I need anything to drink. I accept her offer. She brings me a heaping glass of red wine along with her own to match and we seat ourselves down on her couch. "So.... other than your dad being his normal douche bag self, how's the last few days been for you? I haven't seen you in almost a week. Has everything been okay?" Her concern is sincere and it makes me blush. I hope she can't notice. "Ahh you know, my whole family hates me so I just stay in my room and hate my life. You know, I would love to be you. Love to look like you and be like you. You're just a really good human and I am super glad you're my friend." Grace laughs and murmurs something I can't make out under her breath. I laugh back.

I spend the rest of the day catching up with Grace. "You know Jessica...." Grace says catching me by surprise. "Uhhh yeah Grace?" I look at her awkwardly. "Jessica, you dont have to give me an answer tonight but I'd like for you to come live with me." I look at Grace in a stunned and shocked expression.

*to be continued*

***please leave constructive criticism in the comments. This is my first ever book I've ever tried to write so I need to know what should be fixed and if it makes sense to the reader. ***