This Is Me Trying

Chapter Four

Betty

"Nothing." I quickly pulled my shirt back down.
"Betty it looked like a-"
"It's nothing. My Mom's about to be here. I'll see you guys tomorrow?" I couldn't look at them.
"Uh yeah. We'll see you sweetie." I heard them get up and leave.

Danielle

"Something's not right." I told Stefania as we walked away from her trailer.
"Bambina, she obviously doesn't want to talk about it. If we pry too much, she'll never trust us enough to tell us."
"I know... but that looked like a big ass bruise. And she was so defensive about it."
"Danielle. Let her come to you. She will eventually. She obviously already trusts you slightly. Just give it time." She grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
"I know. I just worry I guess. But, my house or yours?"
"Preferably my house. I have to feed Jeff her dinner."
"Okay beautiful. I'll see you there." I squeezed her hand one last time and got in my car.

Betty

I laid on the couch, and tried to fall asleep. I don't even know if I'm allowed to be on the property at this hour. But I couldn't go home.

I grabbed my phone and I felt a piece of paper on it.
I looked at the note: XXX-XXX-XXXX - Text me so I have your number - Danielle ❤️

I quickly typed in her number and saved her as a contact.

Betty: Hey it's Betty. Thanks for leaving me your number.
Danielle: No problem B! Want me to pick you up for work in the morning?
Betty: No thanks. My mom is dropping me off early when she goes to work. Thank you though.

I sighed and tried to get comfortable on the couch. The couch was hard, but it was better than my broken bed though.

Danielle
*The next morning*

"Good morning Stefania." I said as I got out of my car.
"Good morning bella. Did you have a nice night?" Stefania asked with a smirk.
"Yes, definitely. Here I brought you a coffee." I handed her one of the coffees from the carrier.
"Grazie bella." She said with a smile.

We walked up to Betty's trailer, and knocked on the door.
"B? You in there?" I called out.
I pulled the handle, and it was unlocked.
I walked inside, and saw Betty asleep on the couch, dressed in the same clothes she wore yesterday.

"Betty?" I gently shook her.
She shot up and backed up slightly.
"Whoa it's me B. It's just me."
"Sorry, you scared me." She breathed out.

Betty

"Did you sleep here last night?" She asked softly.
"No." I quickly lied.
"Betty. You're wearing the same clothes you wore yesterday."

I stayed silent, and looked down at my hands.
"Your mom didn't drop you off this morning, did she?"
"No."
"Why did you sleep here? You know I would've taken you home."
"Because... just because." I mumbled.
"Betty, you trust me don't you?"
"Yes." I felt tears welling up in my eyes, but I kept my head down so she couldn't see them.
"So is there anything you want to tell me?"

Should I tell her what's going on? What if she thinks I'm some weird broken kid after I do?

"Danielle..." My voice broke.
"Come here." She pulled me closer to her and wrapped her arms around me. I felt the sobs escaping my body before I realized what was happening.
"You can tell me anything B. I won't tell anyone else unless you ask me to." She whispered.
"I-I just don't think I can handle this anymore." I sniffled out.
"Handle what sweetheart?"
"Life. I'm so sick and tired of everything. I'm so fucking stressed all the time. I can't sleep, because I'm too worried about what my Mom and her boyfriend are gonna do if I fall asleep. I can't eat because we don't have any food in the house. I am tired Danielle. I'm tired of being angry, I'm tired of everything." I rambled out.

I can't believe I just told her all that.

"Betty... do they hit you?" She pulled back and made me look in her eyes.
I nodded, tears still rolling down my face.

"Is that why you didn't go home last night?"
"No. My step dad David told me not to bother coming home because they were having a party." I whispered out.
"Okay... Okay. What do you want me to do?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Do you want me to get anyone involved? Do you want to call the police?"
"No. Please just... don't tell anyone. It'll make it worse on me. I'm sorry I even told you I shouldn't have gotten you involved." I tried to stand up but she pulled me back down to the couch.
"No, I'm glad you told me. I won't tell anyone unless you want me to, I won't get anyone involved unless you say so."
I took a deep breath and nodded.

"Although, can I have Stefania look at that bruise on your side? She's better with stuff like that. She knows more than I do."

I nodded, and she walked to the door.
"Hey Stef? Come in for a minuet."

Stefania walked in, "Ciao bella."
"Ciao Stefania."
"Can you look at Betty's side for her? I know you're better with that kind of stuff."
"Sì." She sat down next to me.
"Can you show me?" She asked softly.

I pulled the shirt I was wearing off. Thankfully I was wearing a sports bra so I wasn't worried about anything being exposed.

"Can I touch it to make sure no ribs are broken?" Stefania asked.
I nodded, and winced when I felt her fingers on it.
"It doesn't feel like anything is broken bella. It is a nasty bruise though."

I pulled my shirt back on, and pulled my knees to my chest.
I heard my phone ring, and I picked it up.
"Cazzo inferno." I muttered.
"Hey Mom." I motioned for them to stay quiet.
"Don't bother coming home tonight either. Our friends are coming back over tonight and we don't want you to get in the way."
I quickly got up and walked to the other side of my trailer.
"Mom I need clothes. I slept at work last night. Can I at least come and grab something?" I whispered into the phone.
"Hurry up. You better be there and out in twenty minuets. I'm not home yet." She hung up the phone.

I sighed and walked back over to where they were sitting and grabbed my bag.
"Where are you going?" Danielle asked.
"I have to run home real quick and grab clothes." I muttered as I tried to walk past them.
"At least let me take you. Please?" Danielle asked.
"Danielle..."
"I'm not letting you walk all the way there and all the way back." She said.
I sighed and nodded.
"We'll be right back beautiful. Just tell Krista that I had to grab something and Betty went with me." Danielle kissed Stefania's cheek and we walked out to her car.