[Author's Note:] I'm going to start a thing now, where I provide a soundtrack for every chapter. Your soundtrack for this chapter is "Deathbeds" by Bring Me The Horizon. <3 Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWX-viFi1FE

I woke up to the sound of my father's drunken snoring downstairs. Sleeping off his hangover. Wonderful. Just frikkin' fantastic.

He came home at 3:00 a.m. last night, and beat the living hell out of me. I could barely walk by the time he was done. And no, sadly, this is not unusual.

I winced as I eased out of bed, moaning slightly in pain. I grabbed the bottle of painkillers that I keep on my bedside table. Like I said, I wake up sore from beatings all the time. I've learned to be prepared. I shook two pills out into my hand, and walked to the bathroom. I popped the painkillers in my mouth, then washed them down with some water from the sink.

I sat back down on my bed and looked at my clock. 9:17 a.m. Jace should be awake by now. I smiled, just the thought of him cheering me up significantly. We've been dating for about a year and half now, and I love him completely. We've already decided to move in together as soon as I turn 18.

I typed out a quick text to Jace: Good morning, love. <3 Mind if I come over? - Sammy

Jace responded almost instantly: Of course, babe. I'll pick you up in 20. - Jace

I smiled and put down my phone. I ran around, pulling on hot pink skinny jeans, a black tank top, and some Converse high tops. I quickly straightened my hair and put on some eyeliner, even though Jace tells me all the time that I look beautiful with no makeup and with my natural waves. He's such a sweetheart.

I decided not to go downstairs, since I didn't want to risk waking my father up. I grabbed my Batman purse off of my desk, slipping my phone into my pocket. I took one last glance in the mirror, fluffed my hair a little, and then climbed out my bedroom window to wait for Jace.

I was sitting on the roof, listening to Asking Alexandria, when I saw Jace pull up in his blue car. I smiled and waved, before turning my music off and carefully making my way down the fire escape. Jace climbed out of his car and smiled at me, opening his arms for a hug.

I ran into his arms, throwing mine around his neck. He picked me up and spun me around, and I giggled softly, burying my face in his neck. Jace set me down and hugged me tightly. "Hey, beautiful," He whispered in my ear.

"Hi, Mr. Sexy Pants." I giggled, kissing Jace's cheek. Yes, we're one of THOSE couples, the ones who always come up with cute, yet kind of annoying nicknames for each other. He's Mr. Sexy Pants, I'm Princess Blue Eyes. It's what we do.

"Ready to go?" Jace took my hand, twining his fingers through mine.

"Of course." I smiled, letting him lead me to his car. He even opened the door, and even did my seatbelt for me. Such a gentleman.

It didn't take long to drive to Jace's apartment. He only lives about ten minutes away. We pulled up in his usual parking space. As soon as I climbed out of the car, he ran up, football-tackling me, and picking me up. I yelped as he slung me over his shoulder, then ran up the stairs to his apartment, on the second floor. His neighbors just rolled their eyes and smiled. This is normal behavior for us.

Jace entered the apartment, and dumped me ungracefully on the couch. He flopped down in the floor. "So. What do you wanna do today, Princess?"

"You." I joked, winking flirtatiously. I giggled at Jace's blush. He's just too cute. "No, but in all seriousness, we should have a movie day."

"Horror movies, or cute movies?" Jace asked. We watch both varieties quite often.

I thought for a moment, then grinned wickedly. "Horror."

Jace nodded and got up, going over to turn on his TV. I got up and skipped to the kitchen. I grabbed a bag of potato chips, since neither of us really cares for popcorn.

I walked in just as Jace was pressing the 'Play' button. "What movie?" I asked, plopping down next to him on the couch.

"Dead Silence." He grinned, knowing that it was one of the few scary movies that actually got to me. Which meant that I would be cuddling him a lot. I playfully slapped his arm.

*Several movies and a lot of cuddling later*

I jumped as my phone went off, the familiar ringtone (the Punk Goes Pop version of "Glad You Came") interrupting House At the End Of the Street . I rolled my eyes when I saw that the caller I.D. read "Father". Jace paused the movie as I picked up my phone. "Hello?"

My father sounded majorly pissed. "Samantha. Where the hell are you?"

"Jace's house." I glanced at Jace, rolling my eyes. He mimed throwing up, causing me to giggle.

"I told you not to see him anymore." My father growled.

I sighed. He says that every single time I even mention Jace's name. "No offense, Dad, but Jace is really important to me. And I'm not going to throw that away just because you don't approve."

"Whatever." He spat. "Just get your ass home. Now. We have something important to discuss."

"Okay. I'll be home in, like, fifteen minutes." I hung up, making a face. I turned to Jace. "Can you take me home?"

"Of course, gorgeous." He kissed my forehead before going to get his keys. I sighed, grabbing his large purple jacket from where it was draped over the back of his loveseat. I needed something to cuddle with after the inevitable verbal abuse when I got home.

*Skipping the car ride*

"Call me later okay?" Jace looked a bit worried. He doesn't know about the beatings, but he knows that me and my dad have a... strained relationship.

"I will." I leaned up to gently kiss him. "Love you."

"I love you, too." He kissed me again before backing towards his car. "I'm gonna go now. Before your father eats my soul."

I giggled. "Bye."

I watched him pull away before I went up driveway and let myself into the house. My father waited in the front room, arms crossed. "Took you long enough."

"I'm sorry." I smiled sweetly. He glared.

"We need to talk." He pointed to a chair. "Sit."

I sat. "What's this about?"

"We have someone coming to visit us tomorrow, and I expect you to be on your best behavior."

"No offense, Dad. But I don't think your college buddies really care about my attitude."

"Don't sass me, bitch. It's not one of my friends. It's your fiance."

I stood up, feeling all the blood leave my face. "My WHAT NOW?!"

"Your. Fiance." My father gave me a cruel smile. "The man that I'm marrying you off to."

"You... you..." I stuttered, feeling my breaths quicken with the beginnings of a panic attack. "You can't. It's illegal. This is America. I'm too young!"

"Actually, it's perfectly legal. As long as the wedding takes place before you turn eighteen." He grinned.

"Why?" I felt tears spring to my eyes. "Jace--"

"That girly boyfriend of yours," My dad hissed. "Is out of the picture now. Are we clear?"

"No! I love him!" I yelled, waving my arms frantically.

Before I had a chance to run, my father's fist collided with my jaw. "You. Little. Bitch." He punched me in the stomach, causing me to double over. "You'll do what I tell you too, or you'll hurt for it. That kid is out of your life for good now. You're going to marry the man I picked for you."

"I don't even know who you picked!" I argued.

He grinned cruelly. "Don't worry. His name is Andrew. I made sure to pick someone who I knew would take care of you."

I shivered. As far as my father is concerned, women are just sexual objects. I didn't even want to think about what his idea of "taking care of me" was. Besides, he didn't care about me. This Andrew guy was probably really rich.

My dad smacked me into a wall. "Now go to your room. Make sure to get a lot of sleep." He grinned, sick enjoyment shining in his eyes. "I want you to look nice for your future husband tomorrow."

I ran upstairs, tears laced with eyeliner streaking down my face, leaving black trails.

Notes

Did you guys like it? Let me know what you thought! :)