Out Of The Shadows And Into The Spotlight

Chapter 7

A/N: I changed Chris's age to 14 and Taylor's age to 12. Tell me what you guys think when you finish reading.

Lauren POV

When I woke up everything hurt. There was dried blood on my arms and clothes. The thing that caught my eye most was Taylor in the kitchen with her hair pulled back, washing her hands.

"Tay?" I croaked out, getting a reaction instantly. Her eyes were wide and there was a small cut on her cheek. "Did he... Hurt you?" I asked, trying to find my footing.

She shook her head and grabbed my hands, helping me stand up. "No, he ran out of the house as I was getting home. Chris won't be home until later so I wanted to clean up before he saw this." I knew what she meant. Chris was very overprotective of Taylor and I but I never let him go against out dad, he would get beat and our dad wouldn't give a fuck.

"What time is it?" I asked, stumbling over to the couch. Taylor say next to me and moved a strand of hair from my eye.

"It's around 9." She answered, giving me a long look. "Let's get you cleaned up, I can't stand seeing you like this." She told me, I instantly tensed up at the feeling of her grabbing my forearms. "Sorry... I-It's...I-I didn't know he-sorry." She stuttered.

I just stared at her, emotionless as we walked up the stairs. Once we got to the bathroom I saw the full extent to what my father did to me.

I had a busted lip, bruised cheek, fingerprints on my neck, bruises along my arms, and various cuts on my body. My hair was filled with dried blood and sweat, making me look like a hobo.

"God... Taylor, go to your room and get ready for school. I can clean up myself. Just go." I snapped, my anger taking over me.

Save it, Lauren. You'll need it for tomorrow.

...

Once I was done cleaning myself I had started picking up the glass pieces from the table that I shattered. I figured out that I had cuts across my back and. It hurt to bend down.

"I'm home!" Chris voice boomed from the doorway. I groaned and grabbed the couch for balance. Chris walked into the living room and instantly surged over to me. "What the hell happened?" He asked, his voice laced with anger.

"Dad... He was mad that I interrupted his time with a whore." I bluntly said. Chris was 14 and he went to public school, he knows what a whore is.

"That isn't a reason for him to hit you, Laur! Why don't you call the cops? Or CPS? You can't just keep fighting him to protect us!" Chris shouted. I clenched my jaw and gripped the couch so hard my knuckles turned white.

"Chris, I do this because I want to. I'm 18 and could leave anytime I please... But I will take every hit until you and Taylor are safe." Once those words left my mouth I walked upstairs to my room.

My back was burning in pain but I just kept walking, knowing it would be worse in the shower.

Zayn's gonna kill me. He hates it when I get myself hurt before a fight.

...

It was around midnight when I finally laid down in my bed. Chris and Taylor were both asleep when I came out from my room. Upon further examination I found out there were several slices on my back. At least two of them needed stitches but I couldn't go to the hospital. The doctors and nurses knew my mother and how I used to be... They would wonder what happened to the sweet Lauren they knew.

But that Lauren died along side her mother.

"Why the fuck is this house a mess?!" I flinched at the words that echoed through the empty house. My father was home.

I quickly scrambled out of my bed and into Taylor's room, where I saw her sleeping peacefully. Something inside of me told me not to disturb her, but I needed to get her into Chris's room. His door is the only one with a lock, which was my father's choice, but that was years ago.

"Taylor, hey, get up. Dad is home and I want you in Chris's room." I whispered, shaking her gently. She groaned and pulled her covers over her head. "Tay, come on." I shook her more roughly this time and she opened one eye.

"Wha-? Laur, I'm sleep...ing." She said groggily. I cracked a small smile as I put my arms under her and gently life's her up. "What are you doing?" She was more alert now, noticing she was being taken out of her bedroom.

"I'm taking you to Chris's room. Just go back to sleep." I muttered, opening the door to Chris's room. I saw him laying on his bed, holding a small picture in his hands. I laid Taylor down next to him and I clenched his hand.

It was a picture of mom. Her light brown hair shining brightly in the sun, her eyes sparkling along with her porcelain skin.

"Chris..." That was all I could get out before I heard loud footsteps come up the stairs. My instincts kicked in and I surged towards the door and locked it. The only light in the room was coming from the moon, but it was enough for me to see how innocent and calm my siblings looked.

Nothing like me.

"Lauren! Taylor! Chris! Get out her and clean this damn house!" I stayed silent as I moved over to Chris's recliner. It wasn't the best, worn leather and small rips along the sides. Yet it was enough for me to climb in and instantly fall asleep.

...

When I woke up Chris and Taylor were already getting ready, leaving me in a rush to grab my jeans, white under shirt and white and black flannel. It occurred to me that Taylor might've set out those clothes for me. I quickly made my way into the bathroom and took a quick shower. Once I was done with my shower I got dressed and went to put on light make up. My hair was in it's natural waves so I was okay with how I looked.

"Lauren! Breakfast is ready!" Chris shouted from downstairs. I grabbed my Doc Martens, backpack, and leather jacket before making my way downstairs.

...

I ate breakfast alone, Chris and Taylor had to leave to catch the bus. It didn't bother me, I could take the long way to school on my Harley.

That's how I ended up in the parking lot of my school, watching a crowd gather around a group of girls.

4 Settings is suppose to be here today, Demi's showing them around.

I watched as Principal Howard removed the girls from the crowd, Demi walking beside him. The only girl that caught my eye was the one trailing behind the group, her eyes wondering around everyone. She was wearing white skinny jeans, a red collared shirt, and white flats.

Her eyes wondered toward me, but she couldn't see my face fully, because I was wearing my sunglasses and I was shaded by a tree. She looked as if she was trying to ask a question but she was ushered inside before she could.

Was that Camila?

I cleared my throat and swung my leg over my bike, before taking a deep breath and walking inside the school. The halls were louder than usual, but when I walked in everyone immediately hushed down. I smirked and walked towards my locker.

"Shit!" A voice yelped as they ran into me. Everyone stopped their conversations right away. I looked down and saw the perfect shade of brown staring back up at me. Her book and few pieces of paper were laying on the floor.

I slowly took off my glasses and hung them on my shirt collar.

It's Camila.

"Uh... I'm s-sorry." She stuttered. I smirked and bent down to pick up her things. There was many gasps from around as I handed Camila her things.

"You should really watch where you're going next time... Camz." That was all I said before walking away.