A New Life

thirty.

"Thank you,"

Danielle's POV

"Did you sleep well?" I ask, sitting up and stretching my arms up over my head.

Abby and I wake up late on Saturday morning, nearly 11 a.m.

"Yeah, I did." She replies with a small smile.

"What time do you want me to take you home?" I hesitantly ask her.

"Probably soon, to be honest. Rob's friends usually come over on Saturdays and I want to be upstairs in my room before any of them are there." It breaks my heart to hear her talk like this. How she knows what strategies to use to avoid having to come in contact with these people. "Please don't look at me like that," she says, getting out of bed. "Like I'm a sad, helpless puppy."

"I'm sorry," I say, watching her walk into the bathroom to brush her teeth.

"Thank you for having me over," she says, walking out of the bathroom and into the living room where I moved to after getting changed. "I had fun last night."

"I had fun too," I reply with a smile. "I really like spending time with you outside of set." She looks over at me and smiles. "Are you ready to go?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," she says with a sigh.

...

As we pull up to her house, I already see two extra cars in her driveway. When she notices them as well, she lets out a deep breath.

"Abby..."

"Danielle," she cuts me off. "I know I just recently told you everything, but I've been putting up with this for years at this point. As long as I can make it up to my room I'll be safe, I promise."

I look her in the eye, not knowing what to say or do in this situation. I know she's right, I know she's been dealing with all of this for so long, but now that I know these people have put her in danger in the past, I feel even more guilty letting her walk into that house. Thinking about the situation, I feel a lump form in my throat and tears fill my eyes.

"You shouldn't have to lock yourself in your room all day in order to feel safe in your own house," I say, my voice breaking and a tear escaping my eyes. I guess I've given up on trying to keep myself together for Abby's sake.

"Danielle..." she says, looking at me with sad eyes. "I'm gonna be okay."

"Will you text me once you know you're safe? Please?" I ask, wiping the tears from underneath my eyes.

"I promise."

I reach over the center console of the car to hug her, and I feel her relax into my arms. I don't want to ever let her go.

"I'm gonna be fine, Danielle. I promise." She says, pulling away from my grip.

"Please be careful and text or call me if you need anything. I mean it." I tell her.

She nods her head. "Have fun tonight," she smiles weakly at me before getting out of the car.

"Thanks," I smile back before watching her close the door. She opens the door to the backseat to grab her suitcase, and then walks off towards her house.

...

"Okay, I'll see you soon beautiful. Bye." I hang up my call with Stefania, who told me she'll be at my house in about an hour to pick me up. I decide I should probably start getting ready now.

Abby texted me a few hours ago that she was all set, which gave me some sense of relief but I still feel guilty. I'm just hoping if she does need anything, she really will text or call me. But I have a feeling that since she knows I'll be with Stefania tonight, she won't want to bother me at all.