Challenge :A.C.M:

24.

So, I just want to let you all know, the whole Griffins dad situation will be fully explained and laid out a little later in the story. Also Matt is NOT going to be a bad character, Matt is a good boy.

:austin:

"Get the door!" My mom groans, covering her ears. I huff and get off my chair, walking to the door and opening it to see a frantic looking Laura.

"What-"

"Is Griffin here?" She asks, looking around behind me.

"No, why?" I ask.

"Because she ran out of the house yesterday morning and hasn't been back" She says, her eyes tearing up "I called the police but they said since she's 18, it's different. I don't know what happened. Her phone is in her room so I can't call her"

"Shit" I curse, running a hand through my hair "I don't know where she is, or where she would be"

"Do you know what may have upset her that made her leave?" She asks, and I sigh.

"We got into a fight yesterday. Her therapist told her I was there and she got mad and told me to leave her alone and I told her I would" I admit and her mom frowns.

"She's ruining everything in her life and I'm sorry about that. I'm going to go and find her, I'll see you around. Have fun at school" She says, walking back down my driveway. I shut the door and walk back to my kitchen grabbing my bag and filling a glass full of water for my mom.

"Drink this, you'll feel better" I slide it towards her "I'll be at school" I kiss the top of her head and walk out of the front door. I drive to school, driving through the parking lot. I shake my head, telling myself that I should help Griffins mom, but I don't. Instead I park my car and walk into school, walking to my home room and taking a seat.

I chew on my lip nervously, knowing that I should be helping because something bad might be happening to her and I'll never know because I didn't go help Laura.

The day seems to drag on forever and when I get off school, I drive home quickly and walk to Griffins door, knocking lightly. Her mom opens the door with hopeful eyes but it falters once she sees me "I'm guessing no luck"

"No" She sighs shaking her head.

"Let me help" I offer.

"No, let me do it" She shakes her head "I appreciate it, but if I'm going to be a good mom I need to do this alone" She sighs "Thank you though"

"It's no bother, let me know if you need my help" I tell her before walking back to my car. I grab my book bag from the passenger seat and bring it inside, walking to my kitchen. I grab a can of Dr. Pepper and carry it and my bag upstairs, dropping everything in surprise when I see Griffin laying down in my bed.

"What the hell are you doing?" I shut my door quickly, before running to my window and closing the blinds.

"I'm seducing you, what else?" She rolls her eyes.

"Griff, you know what I mean"

"I actually don't" She sits up "What do you mean?"

"You just disappeared and your mom is worried sick because she thinks you're missing"

"I figured" She shrugs "She overreacts"

"Where'd you go?" I ask, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"I went to visit my dad" She says, laying back down.

"You did?" I ask in surprise and she nods "Why?"

"Because he ruined my life" She growls, quickly composing herself afterwards "Sorry"

"It's alright" I shake my head "How'd it go?"

"Exactly how I expected. He's an asshole" She rolls her eyes, then the two of us fall silent. Griffin sighs and sits up, scooting closer to me and biting her lip "I need to tell you something" She mumbles quietly "I'm tired of keeping things from you" She says.

"Okay, what is it?" I ask, and she looks down at her lap.

"I stopped letting people touch me when I was thirteen. I had a best friend named Mandy and we were inseparable, when I was thirteen she began to act different around me, if I hugged her she'd shrug me off, or stuff like that and around my dad she was even worse..." She trails off "I don't exactly what to go into full on detail but I later found out that my dad had been molesting my best friend since she was ten and she never told me because he said he'd kill her" She gulps and my eyes widen slightly "She told me she couldn't keep it a secret from me anymore and while she was telling me neither of us knew my dad was outside of the door, and right then and there he killed her" She blinks rapidly, her eyes becoming watery "He was the only one home and I tried to call for help but he wouldn't let me and I couldn't save her and I blame myself everyday and I just can't do it anymore" She shakes her head, a sob escaping her mouth.

"Griff, it's okay" I place my hand on her knee "It's not your fault"

"But it is, it is my fault. I should've known something was up from the beginning" She cries "I don't want to lose anyone else so I just push everyone away. Eventually everyone gives up, but you're a stubborn asshole" She huffs and I chuckle, wiping her tears away with my thumb.

"I think you're the stubborn asshole" I tease, and she rolls her eyes "Does this mean we're good now?" I ask "And if you say yes then you've got to stop pushing me away"

"We're good" She nods, and much to my surprise she leans in and kisses my cheek "I'll be a better friend"

"Good" I nod "Now, can you go tell your mom you're okay?"

"She'll probably ground me though" She scoffs.

"But, you'll still be able to see me" I sing song.

"How do you figure?"

"Our windows are right next to each other"

"That's true" She nods "I guess I'll see you later" She stands up, walking towards my door and opening it, disappearing as she closes it behind her.