MAY'S POV-
Autumn didn't come to school again today, these days have been coming more and more lately. She usually is only gone for a day maybe two but she's always covered in makeup and barley shows any skin. We don't know how to help her, she won't let us in at all. I remember when we first met, things weren't this bad at all.
We just started to hang out more and more after that day. Carmen came in the next school year because she had just moved. We were glad to welcome her because it was usually just us two and sometimes we wished we had more people. We all just clicked, and we grew very fond of one other.
Autumn, from the very beginning, always had bruises somewhere on her body it seemed. She always said she fell, ran into something, that it was nothing big. We didn't really think anything of it just accepting her answers. As the months went on more bruises scattered her body that we could barley make out from her covering it.
She never offered to go to her house, saying her parents didn't want the company, they weren't home, or something. We just thought it was normal parent stuff. It was the beginning of junior year when things really started escalating. It just seemed like she was always jumpy or depressed in a way. Her face always seemed swollen. Bruises really covering her body.
We always asked but she always had an answer. We would push her but she insisted that it was nothing to worry about, so we tried not to. My brother was even asking about her, and that was before we all even started to hang out as much as we do now. She started missing days randomly saying she was sick. Carmen and I knew better we had talked about it before numerous times together. We had a strong feeling she wasn't safe at home, but we couldn't do anything. We still can't.
"She isn't here again" Carmen sighed
"I know" I nodded right as the boys were sitting down with us.
"Where's Autumn? I need to talk to her about yesterday" Ryan asked
"She didn't come again" I spoke and he sighed "what happened yesterday with her, you didn't say last night"
"I asked about the bruise on her arm and she said she ran into her dresser. I told her it was bullshit and she should just tell the truth. And like always, she said she had to go. Her parents were having someone over for dinner I guess. She was gonna go with me to your house but" he explained
"Of course she had something with her parents, that's always an excuse with her" Carmen shook her head
"Maybe we should call the police and get some help" Tyler questioned
"No, we don't really have any evidence that proves what we are saying" I sighed
"Hopefully she'll say something" Adam tried to lighten the mood
"Before it's too late" I mumbled. Carmen hit my shoulder making me yelp in pain and rub it softly as she glared at me.
