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"Cass, you okay?" I hear through the phone as I pick it up, "Y-yeah, running a little late. I'll be there." I quickly fix my sad tone to mask my tears. I sniffle and wipe my face with cold water. "I'm fine, you're fine Cassidy. You're fine." I talk to myself as I slowly get dressed; stiffly from the beating I just received.

As soon as Shawn gets in the car he notices something is off, "Everything okay?" He asks, observing my body language. "Yeah, I'm just tired." I wave it off. "Cass, what's that?" He gently pulls up my sleeve revealing my bruises, I pull it down, "Shawny, it's nothing, we have to get to school." I panic inside, I've kept this secret hidden from everyone forever, I do not want anyone to know. I knew I should've put makeup on these, I was just in a rush to get to Shawn. I messed up, big time.

"Cass, what is that?" Shawn asks sternly, I sigh, "Shawn it's noth-" "Cassidy Young, what is it." Shawn cuts me off and he's almost yelling at me, he's beyond serious and I see slight tears in his eyes and his jaw clench through my peripheral vision. I hesitate, "It's from my dad okay?" I mumble to him, "Can we talk about this later?" Tear are forming on my waterline, "Cass, what do you mean? I know you said your dad is mean but I thought you meant strict, not that he beats you up." Shawn sounds hurt, "Cass, why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you let me protect you? I'm so sorry this happened to you." Shawn sounds like he's having a panic attack. I messed up.

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"All over your back too?" Shawn mutters as we walk into school, "No. I don't know." I panic, "I seen when you got out of the car Cass. How long has this been going on?" "Shawny, can we please talk about this later. We have to get to class." I sniffle and look him in the eyes, "I love you Shawny, that's why I didn't tell you. I didn't want you to worry you have so much going on up in that pretty head of yours and I didn't want my problems to burden you." I wipe his tears, "Cassidy, you're the only girl I've ever loved, you'd never burden me. I should've known, I should've been protecting you." Shawn gets angry. "Shawn, let's just go to class. I'm fine I promise please." I grab his hand again and slightly tug him to start walking.

I never wanted to tell Shawn any of my issues, I didn't want him to worry, he worries a lot especially about his parents I didn't want to add to his stress. I have a lot of issues, my dad has been beating me since I was two, I barely eat because of how sad I am, but he doesn't know that. I don't want to complain about how bad my parents are because I know Shawn goes through a lot worse, his isn't physical but his is emotional and mental, which is just as bad; maybe even worse.

I want to fix Shawn, I want to help him, I don't want him to feel like he has to help me, I want him to help himself with me, he's a good boy and deserves the best.

Shawn is really quiet all day today, I feel so bad, I should've hid my bruises better. At lunch Shawn is just playing with his food, "Shawny, eat. Please." I say quietly to him so Cory doesn't hear us talking.

"I'm not hungry." He pushed his tray away, "Shawn, I'm fine. Please, eat." I say to him holding a fork of mashed potatoes in front of his face, "Come on, I know you want them, they're good." I try to make him eat, "Cass, you need to eat. I know you say you hate school lunch and just eat at home but I don't believe you. What else do you lie to me about and keep from me Cass, huh?" He snaps on me and walks away, my body fills with anxiety and fear, he sounds just like my dad. What have I done?

I avoid Shawn for the rest of the day, Cory being the chatty guy he is keeps trying to talk to me, he begins to grow worried since me and Shawn aren't together like always.

"Cass, what's going on with you and Shawn?" He chuckles, "Cor, it's nothing okay?" I say quickly as I'm closing my locker. "You sure? All day you guys have seemed distant, which isn't like you two." He says following close behind me as I'm leaving school, "And you're going home alone." He adds, "Cory, please just go I don't feel well." I turn to him trying not to yell at him despite how upset I am, "Call me if you need me, Cass." Cory says before turning away.