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Being the girlfriend of Billy had its advantages and its disadvantages. For one, he was withdrawn and never fully wanted to let you in. On the other hand, he was an amazing kisser and the sexiest guy you had ever met. For the first time in his life, he was trying to settle down with someone and tried to let you in, but it was difficult for him. But you would be willing to wait as long as he needed because him just being in your life was enough. Billy was the first person to ever make you feel safe and understood.
Living in a small town, appearances were everything. That's why your parents never hit you where clothes couldn't cover the bruises.
For most of your life, you didn't even realize you were abused. In your child mind, you knew you had strict rules and if you messed up, you were punished. It made perfect sense. It was only when you talked to your best friend when you were sixteen that it all became clear- it wasn't normal to flinch when someone raised their hand at you, to fear breaking any rule, or to hate being at home.
But at sixteen, you realized it was too late to do anything. You begged your best friend at the time, Nancy, to not say anything. All you wanted was to finish high school, turn 18, and move as far as you could from Hawkins.
The only person who understood what you were going through was Billy and vice versa. He fell in love with your short temper, the way you didn't care what anyone at school thought about you, and the way you loved so deeply. You fell in love with the way he held you, how he could calm you down on the worst days, and how he made you feel like it was you two against the world.
Billy and you never went into details about your home-life but deep down, you knew. You always knew. But what could you do? You couldn't even help yourself. The only thing you could do was hold onto him and remind him every day that you would always be there for him. And that was enough for the two of you.
Until one night, you came home late after falling asleep in the back of Billy's car. All the lights were off in your house as you tried to silently close the door. Just as you pushed the door closed fully, a hand wrapped around your neck and pushed you against the wall. Gasping for breath, your hands went to claw at the hands around your throat.
"I won't have this town whispering about how I have a whore for a daughter," the voice slurred from the dark.
It was always the same. A glass of whiskey turned into two glasses of whiskey, and it all went downhill from there. While you father was physically abusive, you mother turned her cheek to what was happening. In more ways than one, she was equally at fault.
"I'm sorry," you choked out, tears springing to your eyes. Outside of your house, you were able to be confident and take everything you wanted from life. Inside? You were stuck in perpetual hell.
Thrown to the ground, you scrambled to get to your feet but a solid kick to your ribs had you laying on the ground trying to catch your breath.
"I will not have a slut for a daughter," he yelled, another kick landing on your ribs. The familiar taste of metal filled your mouth as you felt as if there wasn't enough air in the world that could refill your lungs.
