~𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞r~ 𝐀 𝐁𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

03- "You matter."

Word count: 1940

Will
Friday, 4 a.m.

  We went our separate ways. I walked down the street, the rain still falling. No one mentioned anything about our parents, but I know deep down he hopes nobody gets caught.

  I turned and went down a different route, one that would get me home faster. I heard stories that this path was very dangerous, and bad things happen here every day but I wasn't scared. What's the worst that could happen? It was a very small path yet very long, shorter than the regular way though. It was also super dark. You couldn't see anything except the small streetlights reflecting the rain and fog in the air.

  I looked down at my arms and spotted faint, light bruises. They just started to appear but I knew they would get worse. I sigh. I didn't expect Jack to be out here. It all started when I accidentally bumped into him in the hallway one day. He gave me a dirty look at and told me to watch it.

  Ever since then he targeted me and he's never stopped. I don't get why he hates me though. I didn't do anything wrong. It was all an accident. It wasn't on purpose, I don't go looking for problems. I mean, I stay to myself most of the time.

  After what felt like forever, I approached my house. All the lights were off and it seemed as if Lonnie wasn't downstairs anymore. Thank god. I quietly climb up on the recycling bin and push up the window, crawling inside.

  The smell of weed and alcohol still lingered in the air but it wasn't nearly as bad as before. I turn the light on and take my shoes off. They were soaking wet. I take off  Mike's hoodie and put it down to dry.

  All of a sudden, the door flung open. It was Lonnie. "Where the hell have you been?" He says, storming towards me. I could feel my heart pounding out of my chest. How did he find out? I really didn't want this to happen. I put my hands in front of me, trying to stop him from coming closer. I hit the back of the wall, realizing I was cornered.

  He grabs the front of my wet t-shirt and yanks me closer to him. I felt the tears form in the back of my eyes and I tried to blink them away. He looks at me, an angry expression plastered on his face. He was drunker than before, and his eyes were still bloodshot red. It looked like he didn't even know what he was doing.

  "Now let's try this again. Where the fuck have you been?!" He shouts, grabbing a hold of my arms. "I-" I start, but I couldn't think of anything. I moved trying to get out of his grip, but he was just too strong.

  "I-I heard a noise outside, and I went to go check." I choke out. I had to say something fast and that was the first thing that came to my mind. I couldn't tell him I was with Mike or he'd kill me. He tightens his grip, making me wince in pain. "Don't you dare lie to me, Will!" He says screaming in my face. "I-I'm not lying." I stammer, letting the tears fall. He punches me in the stomach making me fall to the ground in pain.

  He started aggressively punching me over and over again. "I'm sorry," I pleaded, turning my face. I didn't want him to hit my face because I knew it would leave a mark. He was way stronger than Jack, and a little more heartless which is why I feared him. "I won't do it again," I say, taking a few more blows on my body.

  As much as I apologized, he ignored all of them. He didn't take sorry for an answer. "What is wrong with you, Will? Why do you have to be so stupid, huh!?" He yells, hitting me again. "I-I'm sorry. Please, forgive me." I choke, getting back up on my feet. "All the shit I fucking do for you and you can't even listen to me!" He yells slamming me back against the wall.