•River's POV•
I watched as my dad left the room taking a huge gulp of his beer. It seemed pretty normal to me but when I saw Grayson standing there just watching him, I knew he was going to try something.
He started breathing hard and he clenched his jaw.
"Is he the one who hurt you?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"Grayson it's fine, I'm used to it." I said looking down at my feet.
He balled his hands up into fists but I placed my hand on his back to relax him.
He slowly released his shoulders.
"Next time, you won't be able to stop me." he whispered to himself but I could still hear him.
What did he mean by 'next time?'
I took his hand as we walked out of the door. We walked in complete silence all the way to the park.
I took him over to a red bench and sat down.
Since I was wearing shorts, the steaming bench burned my legs. I winced at the pain but not enough to the point where Grayson could hear.
He rubbed his thighs deeply and looked down between his legs, avoiding my contact.
"I'm sorry." I said leaning down trying to get his attention.
He hesitated for a bit but then looked up at me. I stared into his eyes.
They were full of confusion and sadness but also, escape.
"Why?" he asked leaning up to face me.
"My mom, she-" He cut me off.
"No, why didn't you do anything?" he asked.
I shut my eyes and slammed my hand against my head as I tried to get rid of the memory, but it wouldn't fade. It never will.
~Memory~
He slammed his fist into the wall behind me and crushed a bottle on my head.
I whined at the pain and tried to rub it away but his grip on my hands was much to tight.
I immediately regretted trying to stand up for myself to him.
He lowered his face directly in front of mine. He breathed deeply and opened his mouth. I could smell the rough alcohol on his tongue.
"You try shit like that again,"
He pointed to the hole in the wall.
"that's going to be your head." he said.
He threw my hands out of his grasp and dragged his feet up the stairs.
My eyes started to get sore as tears began streaming down my face. I rubbed my bruised wrists and slid down the wall.
"I can't." I whispered to myself.
~End of Memory~
"Because I can't." I said looking back down.
"Riv yes you c-" I cut him off.
The memory replayed in my mind.
"No Grayson, I can't!" I half screamed pushing myself up off the bench.
He grabbed my arm before I could leave.
"Riv, look at me." he said.
I slowly turned my head to face him. I stared into his eyes, feeling a little piece of relief.
"One step at a time." he said.
OMG GUYS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 100 READS!!! I'M SORRY THIS UPDATE TOOK FOREVER BUT I REALLY HAD TO THINK ABOUT IT! BUT THANK YOU!!!🌌🌈🌄🛣⛲️
