You had me at hello

Chapter 2

I woke up in an unfamiliar room, unsure of where I was. I looked around letting my eyes adjust. I then realized I was at Dylan's house. I crawled out of his bed, and stepped over his sleeping body, and walked over to his bathroom. I looked in the mirror, unable to even see my self. I had a black and purple bruise the size of Roberts fist, implanted right above my cheek bone. Right above my lip, I had a slight cut with a light purple color around it. I pulled up my shirt as I winced in pain. My whole rib cage was blue and purple and my stomach had a yellowish brownish bruise. I don't know what to do. I can't hide out at Dylan's house forever. Technically I am not an adult, so I'm breaking the law right now. I let out a small weep and put my face in my hands, while the tears left a salty liquid on my hands.
"Ryder? Are you alright?" Dylan asked as he stood in the door way.

"I - I don't know what to do. God, I feel so selfish dumping all of this on you." I said as I wiped the tears from my eyes.

"Don't feel selfish Ryder. What he did to you, it's not right. Why haven't you told anyone about this?" he said stepping towards me.

"I don't know, I didn't want my home life to effect everyone's decision on being friends with me. My parents, they died five years ago. That's why I live with them, with my foster family."

"Everything will work out, we can go to set today and see what Jeff can do. Alright?" he asked.

I nodded and thanked him. After I got dressed and braided my hair, we drove in his car to set. My stomach dropped in fear of what would happen. What if they sent me to another Foster home? We both got out of Dylan's car and walked on to set. We walked over to Jeff's office.

"Jeff, can we come in?" Dylan asked while knocking.

"Yes, make it quick I have to talk to Tyler about his new script... Ryder?! What happened to you're face?" Jeff's voice got louder.

I pushed the tears away from the thought of Robert, thrashing his 6'1 body into my 5'2 body. I clinched my fist at the thought, Dylan's face grew with anger. I never thought that after one day of meeting me he could care so much.

"Ryder, can I tell him?" Dylan asked.

I nodded and sat down I front of Jeff's desk. Dylan explained everything that was happening to me. Jeff's eyes winded.

"Jeff, she can't go back. The same thing thing could happen again, if she gets beat again, it could be fatal."

"I understand this Dylan. You guys go to set and I will figure this out. Ryder, you're auditions will be bumped up to tomorrow. I let all the other girls who were trying out for Cameron go" he laughed.

I would laugh, but I'm afraid it will hurt to much. I just smile as Dylan and I walked out the door.

"Hey, Jeff is going to handle everything. I'm sure it will work out."

"Thank you, for everything." I said in a mere whisper.

"Anything for you."

I smiled as butterflies flew around in my stomach. I am so worried about how all this is going to turn out. I'm terrified to go back home to the piece of crap Robert. I miss my mom and dad, I wish I could just see there face one more time, or listen to my moms sweet voice sing me a lullaby until I fall asleep. I know they will be proud of me if I land this role, but with all of this going on I don't know if I can. I walk with Dylan to the rest of the cast, my bruise still dark purple and there are bags under my eyes from my long night.

"Ryder, I'm so sorry that this happened to you. You deserve better than that." Crystal said as she examined my face.

"I'll be okay, if I made it this far I can make it further." I managed to say with a fake smile.

"Man, the man is lucky I wasn't there. I would've kicked where the sun don't shine." Colton said to all us .

We all just let out a laugh, and for the first time In forever, I felt safe. We all laugh and joke until we see Jeff and two other men walk into the room.

"Can we please talk to a Ryder Evans?" The men in suits asked in unison.

Everyone looked at me as I stood up and walked towards Jeff.

"We need conformation from you that your foster father has been physically abusive." One of the men said, his voice stern.

I pulled up my shirt, just enough to see my bruises. Jeff looked pained at the sight of my bruises. I pulled my shirt back down, showing them my cheek and my lip. After about ten minutes of explaining how I got my bruises the two men looked at each other.

"You can go back with the cast Ry, they need to talk to me"

The men and Jeff talked for what seemed like hours. I can't help but think they will send me back to those abusive people. I don't want to stress out, stressing is not good but what else can I do in this situation. I am waiting with Posey and Dylan to hear what Jeff and those men have to say, biting my nails and obviously freaking out a little.

"Ry, stop freaking it's going to be okay! I promise." Dylan says to me breaking my concentration.

I just nod and continue biting away at my nails. Just then Jeff walks in looking just as nervous as I did. I gave him a sad look and he gave me a look back.

"Hey guys can I have a moment alone with Ryder?" Jeff asks making me even more nervous.

The boys glance at each other and then sigh.

"Bye Ryder, text us." Posey said as him and Dylan walked out of the room.

"What's going on Jeff? I can't go back, I won't. Please please don't make me." I began to cry out.

"Ryder. You don't have to go back, but you have to stay with me."

"You would really do that for me? You just met me." I asked softly

"I can tell you deserve better and that you deserve a place where you could feel safe." Jeff said with a soft smile.

"You know my parents died right? Both of them. I was upstairs waiting. If I would've went down stairs earlier my dad would still be here and then even my mom! I lost both of my parents because I didn't go downstairs. I could've prevented it but I didn't and I don't deserve anything good. You'll probably end up regretting this anyways and throw me out." I practically yelled as got tears streamed down my face.

Jeff embraced me in a hug.

"You didn't do anything wrong! You probably would've got hurt yourself. There were murders, you had nothing to do with it Ry! I would never throw you out, ever." Jeff responded back.

"You promise?"

"I promise." Jeff said as we hugged.

This may be the beginning of something new. I'm so scared I'll get attached and something will go wrong. Jeff has made me feel like I'm not a burden or nothing. I think this will be good for me.

Jeff drove us to his house, which was huge. We walked inside and he showed me my room which is cute. It was a warm little home, and I was happy to stay, even if it was not permanent. I decided that I would text Tyler and Dylan and let them know what happened. That I was okay. After Jeff and I had dinner and I washed up, I was ready for bed. I looked at my ceiling for while.

"How could this be? How am I so lucky." I said to my self.

I'm so thankful for these amazing people who have suddenly came into my life. They are my life savers.