Amore Mia

"Go now. Go run to the stables Mia. Your dad is on his way".

I looked at my mom with my big, frightened eyes. "Please don't, please don't tell me he is on his way?"

"Yes, Mia he is now run".

With adrenaline running through my veins, I stood up from my bed and ran as fast as I could out of the door. Almost losing my footing when I exited the back door. I shrank back in the corner of the stables trying to make myself as small as possible. I could hear him screaming in the house at my mom.

"WHERE IS SHE"! My dad screamed.

"Richard, please don't. She is not here, please don't hurt her!"

Slap, I could hear the loud smack he gave my mom. I started sobbing softly. Why must my life be like this, why must he hate me so much? Why does my mom love him so much that she does not take us away from here? Why does she love to torment herself? My sister is the one the whole town knows. She's the one who always makes trouble for us. I know this is her doing, I know she told him something to make him this mad. I do not understand why she gets joy out of hurting me and my mother. I try keeping to myself. You can see me as the plain Jane and invisible. If I don't get seen or heard, I will be fine. That is what I keep telling myself... Yeah not like if that ever worked. The last thing I want is for anyone to know me, to know what hell I live through every day, and most important I don't want anyone to know who my sister and father is. I don't want anyone's pity. I just want to live my life like an ordinary teenager.

"I told you long ago, to keep your daughter in check, Isabel."

" She is your daughter too Richard." "What did she do now?"

"Does it matter, call her here right now and tell her to get her ass here now?"

"Please Richard, why can't you speak to her tomorrow? You have drunk a lot today, can't you please go and rest first."

Smack, "Do not tell me what I should and should not do woman". "You will do what I tell you to do"

Everything went silent. My mom would rather get beaten on my behalf. Once he hit me so hard, that I could not walk for a week. My dad only beats us. He would never touch my sister, she is his previous gem. You see my sister is only my half-sister. She is my dad's first love child. Her mother Rebecca died in a car crash when she was small. My dad met my mom 3 years later. My mom fell in love with him at first sight. I can't say the same for him, you do not treat someone you love like he treats my mom, but my mom loves him with her whole heart. I think my dad only married my mom to look after his precious daughter. A year later my mom got pregnant with me. I can't say my dad was not happy, because he wanted a son. Well, here I am. 'n GIRL who looks nothing like my dad or mom. My dad hates me because I am not a boy and because his precious daughter hates me too.

My mom told me before "Mia never leave the stables before I come to get you. You must remember NEVER."

So here I was waiting. It soon started getting dark. It was in the middle of autumn, so the air was starting to get cooler. I only wore my normal faded jeans and a black t-shirt. I did not have time to put on shoes. I was really starting to get cold. We lived on the outskirt of town on a small range. With no neighbors nearby. I wrapped myself in my arms and slowly started to drift to sleep.

"Mia... Mia wake up"

I slowly opened my eyes and saw my mom kneeling in front of me.

"Mom?"

"Yes darling, your dad is sleeping come back inside."

"Mom are you alright?"

She had a dark red handprint on the right side of her face.

"Mom, why do you always let him do this to you, to us? Why can't we go live with grandma and grandpa?"

"No Mia we can't."

"Why not mom?" I asked her with tears running down my face. I hate seeing her like this.

"Mia, you will never understand you are still too young."

"Mom, I'm 18, I know right from wrong, and this is wrong. Dad does not love us. If he loved us, he would never treat us like this. This... this is not love mom this is... I don't know even what this is. Do people even have a word for this kind of living. Haven't you had enough mom?"

"Mia, your dad just had a long day and too many beers with his friends after work. It will get better."

I looked at her with shock written all over my face. Am I still dreaming? Am I really awake? Did she really, really just stand up for him? I cannot believe what I just heard. I have lived through this nightmare for 18 years. I knew no words would change her mind about him. You know what they say. Love is blind. Yea some people are more blind than others. But all I know is, that I am done. As soon as I'm done with high school I am out of here. I love my mom more than anything, but she has to leave on her own accord. Maybe, things will get better for her once I am gone. I stood up and went inside the house with my mom. I first took a quick shower and climbed into my bed. That night I made myself a promise. I need to get stronger. I need to learn to fend for myself if I want to go live on my own after school. Because I know. I will not come back to this house, and I will never have someone to rely on. I have seen it too many times, if you do not stand up and fight for yourself you will get trampled on. I will not be like my mother I will not let any man control me, with this promise I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

The next morning. I quickly got dressed for school. Grabbed something to eat on the way and ran out of the house. My best friend Carolyne normally comes and picks me up at the end of the driveway. She is beautiful. She's outgoing and everyone loves her.

"Good morning, my Mia, come quickly get in." Carolyne sang through her open window.

I quickly got in and took a big bite out of my apple.

"So are you ready for today?"Carolyne asked."

"What is happening today?" I asked her while

trying to tie up my hair.

"Aiya Mia, you already forgot?" She looked at me with those, I cannot believe you forgot eyes.

I really tried hard to remember "Nope" ..." I really got nothing. What is happening today, Carolyne?"

"We my dear friend are going to watch super, super hot guys beat the living crap out of each other."

"So, I guess I'm sleeping at your house this weekend?"

"Yes, you are!!"

I quickly texted my mom telling her I'm staying at Carolyne's house this weekend. I only got an okay, in reply.

We stopped in front of the school, climbed out of the car, and headed inside. Normally I would just stay at Carolyne's side, okay more like behind her, being like her shadow. Keeping my mouth shut and going through the day only talking to her. She hated that I looked down on myself and did not want to engage with others in their conversations. She normally nags me, telling me I'm beautiful and I should stop hiding behind her, that I need to show everyone what an amazing person she thinks I am. I remembered the promise I made to myself last night. I told myself for once she is right. I need to get out of my shell and start growing a backbone.

We have most of our classes together. Luckily, I got a full scholarship to attend school. I don't think Richard would be happy if he needs to use any of his money on me. My dream is to become a doctor. I think it is due to me being hurt so much when I was younger. I got my arm broken when I was eight, by Richard. He was so mad at me for standing up for my mother when they fought. My mother wanted to take me to the doctor, but he refused. "We can't waste the doctor's time on trash" he told my mother. My mother had an old school friend who is a veterinarian, that is how we normally got treated. Small wounds I would normally fix on my own.

We made our way to our first class. Before we took the corner someone shouted from behind.

"Hey Carolyne, wait up."

Carolyne turned and looked at Mike." Hey Mike, how is it going?"

Mike quickly jogged to us. Normally I would hide behind Carolyne, but I decided to be brave. He gave me a weird look because I did not hide behind Carolyne but stood next to her.

"Hi, Mike." I Said.

I do not know who was more shocked. He or Caroline. The look on their faces was priceless. I almost giggled out loud.

"Did, did she just speak to me?"

Mike looked back and forth at me and Carolyne. Carolyne was still in shock and kept staring at me.

"It seems like Carolyne lost her words, why did you stop us, Mike?"

Okay, now they both looked even more shocked. I never knew a human's mouth and eyes can get so big.

"Guys we are going to be late for class. Can you two please stop looking at me like I grew two heads and start walking, I really hate being late."

Carolyne was the first to respond.

"O my bananas, Girl! FINALLY!!"

I just shook my head and started walking to class. It's not that I could not talk in front of anyone. I just chose not to. I did not want to draw any attention to myself.

"Hey, you! Wait for us!" They both yelled from behind.

We entered the classroom and took our seats.

"Carolyne, are you going to the fight tonight?" Mike asked.

"Yes, we are." Carolyne replied.

Mike scratched his head."Who are we?"

"Me and Mia."

I think I have never seen Mike so excited in my life. He is probably excited about the fight. I told myself. Mike is average build, has short black hair, green eyes, and a killer smile.

"That's good, I'm happy to see you climbed out of your shell Mia. I and the boys would love to get to know the real Mia."

I gave him a half smile and look to the front giving my full attention to the teacher. Luckily, we only have 3 months left of school.

It was a long day. I really got too much attention for my liking. After my one-sided conversation with Mike. Everywhere we went, we heard whispers of me. Finally, the school day came to an end. Carolyne and I walked to her car, heading back to her house to get ready for the night's activity. Carolyne normally lent me some of her clothes.

It was getting late, and Carolyne was still busy doing my hair.

"Carolyne, I told you not to make such a fuss about me. Why do I need to wear makeup and get my hair done for a fight?"

"You, just shush, you never let me do this for you. When you see yourself, you are going to be shocked."

"There I'm done."

I turn and look at myself in the full-length mirror.

"Wow." I could not believe that is me. I was wearing a white floral top, black tight jeans matched with a brown coat, and pumps. My long black hair hung loose in waves at my back. She did my makeup light, looking natural. Letting my light blue eyes pop.

Carolyne did not care for the cold. She wore a tight mini-black dress with long black boots stopping at her knees. She had blond hair with brown eyes. Her makeup was also natural but with bright red lips.

"Now we are ready to go." Carolyne clapped happily with a big smile on her face.

"The place is packed." I looked around trying to see someone we know. This place is bigger than I imagined. In the middle is a big ring where I guess the fight will be, surrounded by chairs, from top to bottom.

"Where will we sit, Carolyne? It looks like there are no seats left."

"Don't worry, my brothers have arranged our seats for us." She looked around.

"There he is, lets's head over."

This will be the first time I see her brother. He is eight years older than us. He went abroad to get his business degree and was rarely home. Carolyne and her family usually went to visit him.

"Hey Nick, you did not even come home to greet me."

Nick gave Carolyne a kiss on her cheek and a big hug. "Please don't start. Mom already gave me the talk for not going to her office first."

"Who is this?"

"This is my best friend, Mia. Mia this is my brother Nick?"

I held my hand out to Nick."It is nice to meet you, Nick."

"Nice to meet you too, Mia."

We shook hands. Our seats are in the third row from the ring.

"I will see you, girls, later. I need to go see if Nathan is ready."

"Carolyne, I thought you said your brother studied in Business? What is he doing here?"

"Hi's here to support his friend."

"O Okay."

We took our seats waiting for the fight to start.

An older-looking guy came out dressed in a black suit. I guess that is the announcer.

"Ladies and gentlemen good evening and welcome to our MMA fight night." Introducing our first match of the night. With a height of 6.7 and a weight of 170 lbs, let's welcome Sinister!!"

The crowd went crazy. Music blasting loudly through the speakers. Out came a muscular man. He has short black hair. Wearing white boxing shorts. I watched him heading down to the ring climbing over the ropes. With an evil-looking grin on his face.

"With a height of 7.1 and a weight of 185 lbs, let's welcome Reaper!!"

I turned to Carolyne, raising my voice so she could hear me.

"Which one is Nathan?"

"Reaper." She yelled back.

I look at him going down the walkway. He has this frightening aura around him. A tattoo of a big grim reaper running across his muscled left arm. Making sure you know you are dealing with death. Built like a Greek god. His black hair is shaved on both sides of his head and styled neatly in the middle. Dressed only in black boxing shorts. He walked up to the ring and climbed over the ropes. Looking around the crowd like he's searching for someone. His eyes met mine only for a brief second. He gave me this half smirk. Does he know something that I don't? I thought to myself. He turned and looked at Sinister. The look they gave each other made me cringe. I heard the bell for the first-round ring.

A young woman dressed in almost nothing, walked around the ring holding a number one board above her head. Announcing the first round. The fight began with Sinister throwing the first punches left and right. Reaper sidesteps some of the blows only to be landing a few punches of his own on Sinister. This went on for 2 rounds.

I felt my cellphone vibrating in my jean pocket. Taking it out, I looked at the caller id. It's my mom. Turning to Carolyne.

"My mom is calling me. I can't answer it in here the music and screaming are too loud I'm going to step outside."

She gave me a nod. I stood up and headed outside. Once outside I phoned my mother back.

"Hello, mom?"

"Mia, you must come home right now. Your dad is furious that you went to the fighting match. Clara could not get seats and saw you entering with Carolyne. If you do not come now, he will go and look for you and drag you back."

"I got it, I'm coming."

I went back inside to find the match had ended. Reaper has won the fight. Everyone remained in their seats waiting for the next match. I walked to our seats. Carolyne sitting on the edge of her seat full of adrenaline from the previous fight.