Arsen (Editing)

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your weave!

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Thank you xx

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I stared down at my phone screen, Arsen's message still waiting to be answered.

'You want to know what happened?'

I quickly typed out a 'yes' and hit send, waiting for his response. He responded nearly immediately.

'look out your balcony.'

I got up and walked to the french doors, pulling them open and stepping into the cool night air.

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your weave!"

The sun had set but there was still enough light in the sky to make out Arsen's form on the ground below. I could smell the cigarette that he held between his lips and I noticed that for once, I was not completely repulsed by the scent.

"What are you doing?" He started climbing the tree beside my balcony. "I have stairs." I chuckled, pointing towards the staircase that led to the backyard.

He hopped over the railing and stopped in front of me. His face didn't look as beat up in the dark, he would almost look back to normal if it weren't for his cracked lip.

"Your parents must really trust you." He said, taking a drag of his cigarette and holding it between his fingers. "They let you have a room with a balcony, it's almost like they are giving you permission to sneak out."

I rolled my eyes. "They didn't do that; they just trust me more than Chase."

"What about Felicity and Jules?" He asked, sitting down against the wall.

"I beat them to the room way before I beat Chase to it." I slid down the wall to sit next to him.

We sat in silence for a minute, watching as the sky slowly got darker. It was quiet and peaceful, I could hear Arsen breathing beside me. Every time he took a drag of his cigarette his breathing got deep and slow before speeding up a bit more.

"So, what happened?" I asked, turning to face him.

He chuckled, but there wasn't any humor in it. "My step-dad happened."

I was shocked but I didn't say anything, I just waited for him to continue what he had to say.

Arsen didn't give me an answer immediately. He took the cigarette from his mouth and studied it.

"I went back to get your clothes and he caught me. He was livid, I have never seen him that angry. A month ago, when he kicked me out, he told me I would be sorry if I ever came back." He rolled his eyes. "Guess he kept his promise."

"Your step-dad just caught you and beat you up?" I breathed.

"I might have egged him on." Arsen shrugged.

"Arsen!" I swatted his arm. "Why would you do that?"

"He called you a slut." His voice was hard. "He was waiting for me in my room, he knew I would go back. He had your clothes balled up in his hands..." Arsen trailed off, his jaw set in a grimace and his fist was clenched. "He thought I had brought you there to sleep with you. He said something about that being my ultimate rebellion."

I didn't know what to say to that.

"He threw the first punch and it turned into a fight. If you think I look bad, you should see him." The last part made him smile.