Invisible

Chapter 6

*Lexi's P.O.V.*

History is my last class, so when the bell rings and we're dismissed, Riley comes over to me immediately before Lucas can reach me.
"Hey Lexi! Wanna come over and hang out at my house?"
"Sorry Riley, I would love to, but I need to go home and do my chores."
"Oh, okay". She says a little disappointed
"Maybe next time?" I ask trying to cheer her up
"Definetly! We'll have a sleepover!" She says happy again
I just smile at her and nod, not giving a definite answer. Then I notice Lucas standing next to me, making me nervous.
"Why don't I walk you home?" He asks
"No thanks. I'll be fine." I said smiling at him
"I insist." He says taking my bag
I bite lip and just nod letting him take my bag. I start walking through the halls faster than necessary without realizing Lucas is trying to catch up and is calling my name. By the time I get outside, Lucas grabs my arm and turns me around. I hiss at the pain that shoots through my arm and grimace. Lucas sees this.
"What's wrong?" He says deadly serious
"Nothing?" I say even though I know he won't buy it.
I was right. He looks at me with a look that says 'really? You're trying that?'
"My arm hurts is all."
"Let me see it."
"No." I say a bit too quickly.
Without my permission, he rolls up my sleeve and sees the cuts Uncle made and the finger shaped bruises. He looks shocked.
"Who did this to you?" He asks with concern for me and rage for the one who did this.
"Does it matter?" I ask
"Of course it matters! The person who did this needs to be put away forever. How could somebody hurt you like this?"
"It's not uncommon." He looks confused.
"What do you mean?"
"I've had to deal with this my entire life. From my parents and now from my Uncle."
"Your Uncle did this to you?"
I replay what I just said to myself in my head. Dang it! I didn't want to tell him. I guess I have to face the music now. So I bite my lip and nod my head.
"Why does he do this to you?" He asks really concerned. I look at the ground hoping he doesn't see the tears gathering in my eyes.
"He gets drunk a lot and is always angry and I'm the closest outlet for him." I say getting choked up.
"But why you?" He asks. He lifts my chin so that way I can look him in the eye. He has tears in his eyes while mine are falling freely.
"I don't know! I try to be a good girl, but everything I do is wrong! It's always been wrong!" I say as I start sobbing really hard.
He hugs me tight and let's me cry. He rubs my back and pets my head softly. My body aches, but I don't care. It's comforting and Lucas is so sweet. Once my crying calms down Lucas starts talking again.
"You're not going back there ever again. I'm going to call the cops and have him arrested and you are going to stay at Riley's. I'll go get your clothes once he's gone okay?" I just nod my head. I'm so tired from all the crying that I just don't care.
He takes me by my hand and holds it tight, but soft at the same time as he takes me to Riley's house. Once we're there, he knocks on the door and Mrs. Matthews is shocked to see us.
"Lucas! Lexi! What a nice surprise come in!"
"Thanks Mrs. Matthews. Is Mr. Matthews and Riley home?"  Lucas asks
"Yep, and Maya! Are you here to study?"
"Actually, Lexi and I need to ask you guys something."
"Okay? Let me go get everyone."
"Don't get Auggie, okay? This isn't something for him to hear."
She looks confused, but nodded and headed off to get the others. I looked to Lucas and he gave me a comforting smile and a small squeeze to my hand. When the others came into the room, Lucas had them sit down as he asked his question.
"Can Lexi stay here for a while?"
Everyone was confused by the question.
"Of course she can, but why did we all need to be here when you asked?" Asked Mr. Matthews
"Because you need to know the reason why we're asking." He said. He touched my arms and looked at me with questioning eyes. I just nodded my head. He gently began rolling up my sleeves and revealed the harm my Uncle inflicted. They all saw my arms and gasped. Mrs. Matthews left for a moment, I don't know where and the others just looked in horror. When Mrs. Matthews came back, she had band-aids and gauze to wrap my arms.
"Is this all of it?" She asked me with sad eyes.
I shook my head. "No."
"Who did this to you Lexi?" Asked Riley
"My Uncle did it."
"How long has this been going on for?" Asked Mr. Matthews
I told them all the story about my parents not wanting me anymore and how they pushed me onto my Uncle and how they all were abusive. I cried a lot and Lucas just held me as Mrs. Matthews patched my arms up. Riley and Mrs. Matthews were crying for me, Mr. Matthews was shocked, and Maya was seething.
"I'm gonna kill him." Maya said
"Let the authorities take care of him. I called them on the way here. I'm going to go get her clothes then come back." Lucas told everyone.
Everyone agreed and he left to get my things.