Backstage: Miles and Alya

} Chapter Four {

(flashback)

A small girl with blonde pigtails sat on the sidewalk, busily writing stuff in chalk. All of the other kids played, but as usual, she was left alone, by herself.

Then she felt someone's shoulder brush her's. She looked up to see a boy, not one that she recognized from her class. "Hey-" she squeaked.

His brown hair looked lighter in the sunlight. He looked up at her, his smile big. "I'm Miles. I just moved here," he said.

The girl giggled. "My name's Alya. Why aren't you playing with everyone else, silly? I don't exactly have any friends here. You hanging out with me probably won't make you popular with everyone else."

Miles sat there for a moment, and then glanced at the other kids. "Does it really matter what those dumbheads think? I don't care. I'll draw with you, if you would like."

Alya laughed. "If you want, silly."

Then her vision went black.

(back to the present)

Alya's world was dark. She could hear a noise.. it was really faint. Then it became louder, and she could recognize the voice: it was Miles. Now it was loud enough to hear, and she could tell he was shaking her. "Alya!"

She opened her eyes, and looked around. Miles was sitting by her, looking very concerned. She was on the floor of her bedroom, and then she sat up, looking at herself. Then she felt her jacket.. wait.. that was her arm! Her bruises and scars were visible in front of Miles!

She looked down into her lap. "Umm.." she mumbled, "I can explain-"

Miles took a deep breath and said, "No need. I already know."

  Alya inhaled a sharp breath. "How do you know?" she asked him. She wasn't angry. Just curious.

  Miles looked up apologetically at her. "That second day of school when you invited me over.. I saw what happened. Alya, you can't stay here any longer, and you know that."

  Alya sighed. "I know. Even after all my father's done to me.. he's still my father. Even though he doesn't feel it, I still love him, Miles."

  She looked over at him. He didn't try to hide it; he seemed geniunely shocked. "I know he's your dad, Alya.. but I just can't stand knowing about this and doing nothing!" He balled his hands into fists.

  Then he relaxed. "Will you think about going to a foster home, at least until we get this all sorted out?"

  Alya grinned. "I'm not saying yes, but I'll think about it."

  Hey, it's me, @AbigailRaye_ the author of this story! Do you like the story so far? Comment your thoughts below!