I'm Sorry I Can't Be Perfect

Inspired by Simple Plan's song "Perfect" Rico's parents divorce and things begin changing. Rico's acting different and Miley becomes concerned. Why does he come to school everyday with cuts and bruises? (MileyxRico Riley FRIENDSHIP) warning: child abuse

Chapter One: Hey Dad, Look At Me

Rico sat at the top of the steps to his house. He heard his mom and dad yelling at each other. He winced when he heard his dad smack his mom.

"That's it! I'm leaving!" his mother shouted.

Rico's eyes widened as he ran down the steps.

"No! Mom no, don't leave me!" he cried. His dad grabbed the collar of his shirt, preventing him from going any closer to his mother.

His mom turned to Rico, a tear trickling down her cheek. She whispered a faint "I'm sorry" and left.

Rico hung his head. His dad let go of his shirt and he fell to the floor. He looked up at his dad, his brown eyes wide. "Are you OK?" he asked him.

His dad nodded slowly. Rico walked over to his dad and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. To his surprise, his dad shoved him away. Rico crashed into a table, a bruise forming on his arm.

"Rico, mijo, I'm sorry." his dad said.

"I know." Rico said hesitantly. He got up and ran up to his room. Locking the door, he laid down on his bed, pulling his knees up to his chest. Tears began pouring down his cheeks as he fell asleep.

-

"RICO! WAKE UP!" Mr. Suarez yelled the next morning.

Rico moaned and rolled out of bed. He quickly got dressed and ran downstairs. On his way down, he crashed into a table, holding a vase. The vase wobbled and fell over sending glass all over the floor. Rico looked up at his dad. He was fuming.

"Dad, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean-"

His dad cut him off with a slap across the face. Rico put his hand on his stinging cheek, tears starting to sting his eyes.

"You baby." his dad said, shoving Rico. He landed right on top of the glass shards. His arm stung painfully.

"Get to school." his dad said gruffly. When Rico didn't move, he added, "NOW!"

Rico got up and scrambled out of the house.

-

He ran all the way to school, making sure he wasn't late. He went to the bathroom before class and pushed up the sleeve of his shirt. He winced at the scratches from the glass on his forearm and the bruise from when his dad pushed him into a table. Tears stung at his eyes but he wiped them away. He pushed down his sleeve and ran to first period…