Standing in front of the mirror in my bedroom, I wondered why everyone looked and treated me like I was an outcast or should I say an alien. I'm not ugly, well at least I don't think I am. I work hard at school and I'm a straight a student not that it matters. Damn, I do everything I can to make my family love me.

My name is Anastasia I'm 5ft 2; I have dark brown naturally curly hair, hazel eyes, and big plump lips. I'm not like my sister Amelia, the perfect skinny daughter. No, God has blessed me with a curvier body, which I have to say, I love.

Life for me at home is a living hell! I wish that my family would love me instead of pushing me away from them all the while. They used to love me. They used to treat me the way a person should be treated. However, that was before they were told I was deaf. Yes, I'm deaf!

I just wish that they would try to communicate with me or at least realize that I am still a person, just like them. Then again, I guess that's just me hopeful dreaming again, as I know damn well that will never happen.

Over the years, I've accepted that they don't love or even want me but that doesn't stop me from hurting. I'm alone deaf and lost, with a family who cannot wait to get rid of me, well except one family member that is.

Tears run freely down my face as they do every time, this time of year. It's Christmas and all my family are downstairs playing games and drinking, whilst I've been sent up to my room. Why do you ask? Well in my mother's own words, "You are to stay in your room and will not be seen. We cannot have people knowing with have a freak as a daughter! You will not embarrass your family. If you step foot out of this room I will make your life hell. Do you understand me, Anastasia?" Her words sliced straight through me like a knife. Saying that a knife probably wouldn't have hurt as much. However, keeping my head up whilst fighting to keep my tears at bay, I just nodded my head.

The minute she closed the door I broke down. You'd think I would be used to her treating me like this and shutting me away by now but truthfully, I don't think I ever will.

In some ways, I really want to hate my family, but I can't. No matter how much they hurt me, I still love them. My cousin Isaac is the only one in the entire family that treats me as if I'm a human being and a normal one at that. The day we met was the best day of my life.

Flashback

It was Christmas Eve and all our family were staying over as they do every year. My parents are millionaires. Therefore, everyone stays at our house or should I say mansion, every goddam holiday. Not that I don't love my extended family, it's just I've never really met them as mother forbids it.

Feeling heavy vibrations through the wood flooring, I began wondering what it was. Being only five years old at the time, curiosity seemed to get the better of me. I slowly stepped out into the long hallway. Keeping my eyes wide opened, making sure I wouldn't be caught. As young as I was, I knew damn well my mother would kill me if she caught me out of my bedroom.

As I turned to face towards the staircase, someone came crashing into the back of me. It was at such a force that I went flying down onto the hard marble tiles. Not being able to hear them coming up behind me, I didn't have time to save myself. My face smashed straight into the floor. My nose felt as if it had broken and there was blood everywhere. Two small arms wrapped around my waist before they turned me around to face them. I remember that day as if it was yesterday.

The look on Isaac's face made me panic even more than I already was. He picked me up and started walking in the direction of the staircase. Seeing this made me freak out big time, as I knew no one downstairs would help me. Matter of fact, I knew I would be killed for stepping out of my room in the first place. Then on top of that, I would be killed even more for letting someone see me. I began kicking and punching him as I tried desperately to break free of his hold. I could see his mouth moving but I wasn't able to lip read properly back then.

After a while of me flapping around like a maniac, he finally gave up and left me down on the floor. With pure fear running through me, I ran back to my bedroom. However, as I closed my bedroom door, Isaac stormed in locking the door behind him.

That was the first day that I met Isaac. In addition, that was the first time someone cared for me.

End of flashback

Right now, I'm here sitting on my bed waiting excitedly for him to come. I know he's coming, he always does. However, he must wait to make his escape, because if anyone found out that he came to see me, he would have hell to pay. Well not as much as me, but no doubt my mother would have a few words to say to him.

After what felt like an eternity of staring blankly at my bedroom door, I finally see it open slightly. Excited as hell, I Leaped off my bed, went running, and jumped into Isaac's arms. Yet as I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, I knew it wasn't Isaac.

Feeling embarrassed as hell, I did what any girl would do. I jumped down and ran back to my bed burying myself under my covers. "Oh my god what have I done? I'm so stupid! Oh, Lord why do I have to always make a right fool of myself? Damn, I didn't even manage to see who it was." I mentally ranted to myself. Until the sheets that were once hiding my embarrassed state where ripped off me.