two doors down

the night of many emotions

lizzies pov

rose and y/n walk back in and serve themselves dinner before going to join everyone else on the couch to eat. it was a more relaxed night so no need to sit at the table. y/n sat with her feet tucked under her and i dont know how she found it comfortable. but she watched the wall in front of her zoning out.

"so y/n what masterpiece were you working on today?" scarlett asked referring to the scratches of paint still on her hands. 

"y/n" rose who was next to her nudged the girl gently. and she snapped back to reality. 

"sorry" she apologized and answered scarlett. "i have a photo if you want to see it?" she asked hesitantly and im guessing her father never cared to pay attention to her talent.

"wow this is amazing" she said taking another mouthful of her food i would seriously pay you for your art if you wanted to make me something"

"i can make you something for free, really you dont need to pay me" she dismissed "i have offers from museums and thats thousands of dollars already" 

"wait really?" i said proud and surprised. she nodded with a small smile taking a bite of her pasta.

"how much is the offer, rose you should get into art" they joked 

"around 6 thousand. all together" she answered and our jaws hung open. 

after dinner scar, rose and cosmo went home and y/n helped me to clean the kitchen while mattie had a shower 

"thank you for your help sweetheart" i said as she was wiping the bench and i was finishing up washing the pot. she nodded and smiled again at me "can i talk to you about something" i asked hesitantly. 

i watched as her face flashed with fear and she nodded slowly. "your not in trouble or anything, but mattie mentioned something about there not being enough food at home to eat all the time and i was just wondering what he meant exactly" i waited for her reaction and several emotions flashed over her face. 

"its not as bad as you think" she paused "there is food we just dont have the money to get alot of variety" she explained rinsing out the cloth next to me. 

"he said some days you dont eat though" i said softly watching her reaction. "why is that" i asked hoping i wasnt over stepping. i didnt want her to stop opening up to me when i was finally finding out about how bad her fathers behavior is. 

"th-thats not because there isnt enough food. i just dont get that hungry" i could tell the last sentence was a well rehearsed lie. but i could tell she didnt want to talk about it and left it there. 

we said our goodnights and she went off to bed. 

y/n pov

mattie was laying in bed playing on his ipad again. "mattie?" i questioned into the semi dark room.

"yes y/n" he said looking up from his game. i sighed before answering him.

"how are you? like how do you feel about everything thats happened" i asked the boy wondering how he interpreted the situation. 

"im glad that your okay. and im glad im okay but im scared to go back. but thats the only option. right?" 

"well we could admit everything my dad does, and what your mum does and they would get sent away. but with that happening we would most likely get separated" cause no one wants a teenager. "but if you dont feel safe and you want to get out of there i will tell someone. i want whats best for you. 

"what about whats best for you" mattie said and i didnt know how to answer him. "can we stay here? i like lizzie" i dont want to disappoint the boy and say she probably doesnt want us staying with her long term and felt obliged to do so this time so i just responded with an i dont know. 

mattie went to sleep but it was only 9pm so i wasnt tired. i wondered if lizzie would let me go on a walk. i grabbed my school bag as it had my pencil case, sketch book and water in it anyway and walked out of my room.

i saw lizzie sitting on the couch watching big bang theory. "hey lizzie?" i asked standing a couple meters from the couch. she turned towards me and i continued. "i was wondering if i could go for a walk" i said looking at her and playing with my hands. 

"right now? its a bit late and not safe at night" lizzie said frowing her eyebrows. "did your dad usually let you out at this time?"

"he was barely awake or home to notice. he didnt even care when i was hit by a truck one time" i shrugged hoping to make the situation seem less serious because i usually went out at this time. 

but lizzie looked at me with a shocked expression. 

"look if you need to go on a walk right now to clear your head, okay i trust you. but dont go to far and please be back in an hour. do you have your phone on you" i shook my head and quickly ran to my room to grab it off charge. 

when i got back she had a few more questions before she eventually let me go.  i just dont understand why she was so concerned. 

it only took 15 minutes for me to make it to my spot. i havent been here for like a week and instantly the inspiration started flooding in.