Same Old Love

// twenty-six //

Reed and I walk into the gym, noticing the disperse of our friends around the food table and the area people are dancing in. He walks before me, noticing that I'm hesitant.

"Come on, lise." He nods his head towards the food table. "Ethan is over there."

I sigh before following him to the food, noticing a bunch of other boys on the soccer team.

"Reed, Annalise!" They greet us with sloppy grins, bro hugging Reed.

"Where's Oliver?" One of the boys I recognize as Eric asks me.

"I don't know. I figured he would have been with you guys." I shrug.

"Weird. I think he said he was going home." Ethan hums.

"I'm going to the bathroom. I'll be right back." Reed tells me before swiftly heading towards the bathrooms.

"Where's Lauren?" I address Ethan as we stand beside each other.

He shrugs. "She went to talk to Sarah or something."

I nod and pick at some of the vegetables left on the table. After eating a few, I notice Ethan leave and some of the other boys leave as well.

"Annalise." Eric sidles up beside me.

"Eric." I smile.

"How's that whole concussion thing going?" He raises his eyebrows, concerned etched into his features.

I roll my eyes. "Oh, you know. I practically can't do anything so it kind of sucks. It's not like I listen anyways."

Eric chuckles before smirking. "You know, you look really good tonight."

"Thanks." I furrow my brows. "Reed bought me the dress."

"It suits you." He takes my hand and tugs me toward the dance area. "Dance with me."

"I'm supposed to be waiting for Reed." I turn back to the area the restrooms are before biting my lip.

"He'll be back soon. Come and dance with me." Eric pulls me to the dance floor just as a slow song comes on.

I hesitantly wrap my arms around his neck, his on my waist. I feel his hands go a little too low and instantly feel uncomfortable. I'm only here for Reed. I don't even want to be talking to Eric.

"I've been wanting to talk to you. Oliver's just always been around, fending us off." Eric mutters.

I look up into his eyes, scrutinizing him. "He knows what's best for me."

"Then why isn't he here tonight?" Eric leans down closer, the scent of alcohol in his breath.

I push him away before gasping. "Are you drunk?"

"Shh." He puts his hand over my mouth and pulls me to a corner. "Let's just say that there is a little something in the punch."

I huff and cross my arms. "High school dances."

"Anyways, do you wanna get out of here?"

I look to Eric in disbelief before scoffing. "I'm here with Reed."

"So?" He reaches towards me.

"Don't touch me." I back away.

"What's going on?" Reed appears behind Eric, anger evident on his face.

"Nothing." Eric smiles at Reed before glaring at me.

"If you did anything to her-"

"Reed." I tug on his arm, drawing his attention to me. My eyes plead "Let's go."

"You're lucky, Eric." Reed grabs my hand and pulls me away, glaring at Erics back as we retreat. "What did he do?"

"He's drunk." I sigh.

Reed shakes his head before taking my hands and pulling me towards the dance floor. "Let's dance."

"Okay." I dance beside him until he stops, pulling my phone out of his pants pocket.

I made sure to give him my stuff before we entered the school.

I see Oliver as the contact, answering and hurrying to a quiet hallway.

"Oliver?"

'Anna, there's a problem at home. Um, you just have to get here okay? It's urgent.'

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming." I hang up and hurry towards the doors, hearing Reed calling my name.

"lise, what's wrong?"

"I have to get home. You stay and have fun. I'm probably going to run." I start to take off my heels.

"No, I'll drive you." Reed places his hand on my shoulder.

"Reed, you can stay. Call me tomorrow or something." I kiss his cheek before pushing out the doors, taking off in a sprint.

A million of worries cloud my brain as my feet pound against the sidewalk. What can be so important this late? Is someone hurt? I don't know what to expect and I'm scared. I'm so scared.

My breathing quickens as I round the corner to my street. Seeing a police car parked outside causes me to run faster than I ever have.

I burst into the front door, probably looking all disheveled.

"Anna." Oliver walks towards me from the officer and wraps his arms around me.

"What's wrong?" My eyes are wide, concern pumping through my blood. "Olive, what's going on?"

"Your father was charged with domestic violence against your mother. She was already in an ambulance to the hospital." An officer glances at me, his notebook out.

I cover my mouth as a sob escapes, collapsing into Oliver. We stand there, clutching onto each other in fear until the officer finally leaves us. The other vehicles soon disperse and we're left standing in the living room, shocked.

"Oliver?" My voice cracks once I finally speak.

"Yeah?" He looks up at me with puffy eyes.

"Can we go see her?" I look at the ground before meeting his eyes again.

"Yeah." He grabs his keys, throwing me a sweatshirt that was on the couch.

I pull it over my head and follow him suit to the car. We silently drive to the hospital, everything paying a toll on us. I don't know what I'm going to do.

Oliver finds a parking spot and and takes the ticket for out paid parking before we head to the elevators. Going to the ER, we reach the front desk. I glance at the other people around us waiting in the chairs and grow even more scared.

"Excuse me, we're here for our mother; Lisa Johnson." Oliver tells the woman at the desk.

She nods. "Room 230."

We thank her before going down the correct hallway. Before entering her room, we look at each other. I think we are trying to prepare each other for what we are about to see. Whatever that was, it helps me.

Opening the door, I see my mother with a swollen face consisting of purple bruises and a tube through her nose. Her arm is wrapped in a cast as well.

Instantly, I start to cry and turn into Oliver. I feel his tears on my hair as we stand at the end of our unconscious mother's bed.

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Author's Note:

are any of y'all shook? there's an early Christmas present -jk i know my writing sucks aha.

not gonna ask any questions- leaving them to your imagination this time ;)

-hailey