Pure Chance: How One Person's Love Makes A Difference (Purity Collection)

Chapter Six:Talk It Out -Cassidy

Chapter Six: Talk it Out 

Cassidy's POV

I pulled into my driveway and jumped out of the car to unload the food. Then, I grabbed some bags and started walking up the porch steps. Who knew food was so heavy? After several trips, it was all put away and I slumped on the couch, my feet aching from all the walking.

I didn't know what to think of Ash. No guy had ever helped my liked that, let alone tried to speak to me. They laughed in the halls at my "nerdiness," I guess you could call it. I needed good grades, unlike the other kids at my school. If I didn't graduate, I would never get out of this hellhole.

And neither would Paisley.

Paisley was my little sister. She was the reason I never told anyone besides Emily what really happens in our house. I was afraid she would be taken away from me, and we would be separated for who knows how long.

At 17, I could raise her on my own. It's just not exactly legal. Once I get out of here, I'm going to take Paisley with me. She will never be subjected to this torture ever again. She doesn't deserve it, and neither do I.

Keith wasn't always abusive. He was nice in the beginning, and he made my mom happy. After my father died from cancer, my mom sunk into a deep depression. Nothing excited her anymore.

Except for Keith.

He was the perfect man. He brought flowers, remembered anniversaries and birthdays, took off for holidays, and made time to help me with my homework. He came home at 5:30 every night and took us to the park on the weekends. He would even ride down the slide with me and push me on the swings.

Turns out it was all for show.

As soon as he had a ring on her finger and her money in his pocket, he went rampant. My mom just chose to ignore it. The one thing that had made her happy was, in fact, just a sham. So each time she came home to find me with a black eye or claw marks on my skin, she would make an excuse for it.

"Sweetheart, why are you so clumsy? You know you're really going to hurt yourself one of these days.You need to be more careful."

And so it went on.

The more time that passed, the worse Keith acted, and the more my real mom disappeared. And now she was gone, a shell of what she used to be: a strong, independent woman who cared for her children and participated in the Booster Club. Now Paisley and I were on our own.

The door bell rang, and I sprung up from the couch to answer it.

"Hey, Cassidy! Long time no see! Is now a good time?" asked my best and only friend, Emily. Her long, red hair looked frizzy from the humidity and I saw that she had changed her contacts again. They're a dark, royal purple now. Emily had alway been the adventurous one; whenever she saw something wacky at the store, she would shout YOLO! and throw it in the cart. I couldn't help but love her, though.

By, "Is now a good time?" I knew she actually meant, "Is Keith around?" She would never come out and say it, but I knew she was scared of him. Anyone would be. She just wanted to be strong for me.

"He's not here. He's supposed to be back around six-ish. I was just about to call you anyway. I need some girl time." I smirked at her.

She laughed and stepped inside, and we ran up the stairs to my room. Emily headed straight for my bed while I opted for the cozy bean bag. I had so much to tell her.

"I have so much to tell you, Emily! See, there's this guy-" I started.

"A guy? A guy! I knew this day would come. You know I was actually going to set you up with my friend, Greg, but I didn't think you would like the "spur-of-the-moment" thing. But now you have someone! Tell me EVERYTHING. How did you meet? What's his name? What does he look li-"