❝oh father, please father, put the bottle down for the love of a daughter❞
[trigger warning: abuse]
Today was the day. The day the twins had been looking forward too, especially Grayson.
They had landed in Australia the previous day, but instead of exploring the country or resting like they should be; they were sitting in the airport waiting for her.
Katrina had texted the youngest Dolan and apologized for ignoring him and for spilling her feelings.He assured her that everything was okay and they talked as if nothing happened. That's what was so special about the couple; no matter what, they always found their way back to one-another.
Her flight had just landed and Grayson felt the butterflies start.
What was he going to say to her?
Should he apologize?
Will she apologize?
A million and one questions were running through his mind but as soon as she came into view, everything stopped. She started laughing when she saw the poorly designed sign Ethan held and the flowers Grayson had in his hand. Dropping her backpack on the ground she immediately jumped into Grayson's arms. He caught her with ease, as always, and hugged her as tight as he could.
"I missed you so much." He whispered into her ear.
"I missed you too."
He sat her down and handed her the flowers. His eyebrows furrowed as he caught glimpse of the bruise that spread across her cheek but before he could question it, she had embraced Ethan.
"Hey squirt." Ethan greeted while rocking her on one foot to the other.
"Hey e-tee-wee-tee." She giggled as he groaned and pushed her away.
"You ruined the moment."
As the three were leaving the airport, a group of fans had asked for pics with the trio but Katrina declined and said she couldn't take any. Grayson tried to convince her that it was okay only for her to tear up and beg him to tell them she couldn't. He knew something was wrong. He knew it the night she called and he knew it even more now. The hug gave her away, the way she wrapped her arms around his neck and refused to let ago until he pulled away; that was a warning flag that something was wrong.
The ride from the airport to the hotel was quiet. Katrina didn't speak until spoken too and her answers were short and uninterested.
"I'm gonna tell you guys something but please promise you won't be mad." She asked after they got into the hotel room.
"Of course." They both answered.
She let out a breathy laugh and looked at the ground. "My dad doesn't know i'm here."
"What?" Ethan said with a laugh.
"He doesn't know i left. He thinks i'm at the beach right now."
"You told him you were going to the beach and then got on a plane?" Ethan asked slowly.
"The plane ride was only thirty minutes so he should start calling in the next few hours but he cannot know i'm here." Her facial expression was serious.
"That's why you wouldn't take pictures at the airport." Grayson started putting two and two together.
She nodded and sat at the edge of the bed, looking at her hands that were resting in her lap.
"What's going on Kat?" Ethan sat in a chair across from her.
"He's abusive again, isn't he?" Grayson spoke quietly.
Katrina twiddled her thumbs and shook her head slightly. "The night i called you was the first time he hit me." She looked up and met eyes with him. "It's been going on for a few months but i was too afraid to say anything. I had my dad back and i didn't wanna lose him again. Then the other day we got into an argument because i told him i wanted to leave and... well." She pointed towards her black and blue cheek.
Grayson's jaw clenched as a tear fell down her face. "Does your mom know?"
She shook her head.
"Kat why didn't you tell her?" Ethan asked while Grayson processed the new information. "I told you she needs to know."
"You already knew?" Grayson spoke before Katrina could answer.
Ethan looked at his brother and then to his friend. "She told me the other night, when i answered the phone."
"And you didn't think to say anything?" Grayson's voice rose slightly.
"I told him not to tell you, i wanted to." She stared at Grayson with a sad expression. "You were right, i should have never went. I thought he changed but..... he didn't. And i know if i tell my mom she'll freak out and get the law involved and i don't want that."
"Kat-"
"I'm away from him now. I'm safe, i'm with you guys, and that's all that matters." She interrupted whatever Ethan was about to say. "I don't wanna talk about it anymore, so let'snot bring it up again okay?"
Ethan and Grayson looked at each other with furrowed eyebrows before nodding their head in agreement.
"Awesome, i'm going call my mom and tell her i decided to come with you guys for the last show and that i'll be home soon." Katrina spoke quickly before walking out of the room.
"Something's very wrong Gray, very very wrong."
"I know." Was all Grayson could say.
"That's not the Kat we know." Ethan shook his head sadly.
"I knew something was off from the first week when she called me. I should've-i should've knew sooner." Grayson started blaming himself.
Ethan didn't know what to say. They should've recognized the red flags, they had seen this all before when her mom and dad got divorced a few years ago. He started becoming violent with Katrina and her actions were the same as they are now. She hid it good this time though. She made everyone think that she was happy, that everything was different, and that she was okay. She wanted him to change so much that she started believing her own lies.
Katrina Mikaelson was not the same girl she left Jersey as, no matter how hard she tried to cover up her sadness; Grayson saw straight through it, he knew the real Kat.
