Secretive

Too Young

Hayden looked in the mirror one more time, pulling her shirt down to examine the purple bruises lining her neck. "It'll do" she sighed, and pulled her jacket up as high as she could. She climbed out of her car and shut the door quietly. She crept over to the front door and unlocked it. She winced as it creaked open, closing it silently behind her. She turned and backed away from the door. A light snapped on, and Hayden jumped. "Val, I'm-" Valerie Romero looked at her little sister desperately. Hayden looked at her feet, carefully angling her head so Val wouldn't see the hickeys on her neck. Val glanced at Hayden, noticing the way she held her head. "What's wrong?" She walked toward Hayden and placed a hand on her shoulder. Hayden jerked away, but  Val was still holding her jacket. She dropped it to the floor, and stepped toward Hayden. She examined the marks on her neck. "Who did this to you? How dare he... He hurt you didn't he!?" Valerie exclaimed , hugging Hayden to her. Hayden struggled against her. "NO, he didn't hurt me he would never hurt me! He loves me, and I love him!" Hayden crossed her arms defensively. Valerie looked disgusted. " You're too young to be in love, you don't even know what it means." Hayden looked her sister up and down. She scoffed. "I know what love is. It's the heart crushing feeling you get when you see them standing down the hall, yet you can't go to them, because you're not allowed. It's the feeling you get when you see them, even a picture of them. A feeling that fills you with a glow from inside out. When you see them get hurt, and it's like you're having your head ripped off over and over again. It's hearing their voice, and not being able to contain yourself. It's trusting someone enough to give them everything, and not regret it in the slightest. It's when you can't breathe without someone, till they're right next to you, holding you. It's sneaking out every night to sleep in their arms once more, knowing that when morning comes, you're going to have to leave them, say goodbye, even if it's only for a few hours, but you can't see them again till night, because of your stupid sister who doesn't understand me." Hayden took a breath and closed her eyes. "It's loving someone enough to know everything about them, and knowing you would do anything for them. You'd give your life, because without them, you're worth nothing." Hayden finished quietly. Valerie was taken aback. She stammered, not sure what to say. Hayden looked at the floor. Valerie cleared her throat and stood up taller. "Fine, you know what love is. I still get to play big sister. What are those marks on your neck?" she crossed her arms and smirked. Hayden looked around desperately. "You know what they are. Stop doing this. You're actually putting me in more danger by not letting me see him." Valerie smiled weakly. "Fine. You can see him. Here, tomorrow night, he can watch a movie with us. "Hayden was going to protest, but decided not to push her luck. She hugged Valerie, and thanked her. " I won't do anything stupid, I promise." Val sighed. "Hayden. You already have. Now, get those, things  covered up and if he even touches you while he's here, I have my gun." Hayden rolled her eyes and then saw that she was serious. She nodded meekly and then looked at her sideways. "Vaaaal?" she said in a sugary voice. Val groaned. "What?" Hayden sidled up to her and nudged her. "You were my age once, so you'll understand..." Val grimaced. "What do you want?" Hayden grinned. "Can me and Liam go to my room for a bit tomorrow night? We'll leave the door open and we'll keep our clothes on- well, the best we can-" Val gagged. "I don't need to know that!" Hayden laughed and walked toward the door. "Take that as a yes then! Bye, got to go, em, do some, stuff" Hayden darted out the door before her sister could object. Valerie shivered as she thought about the 'stuff' her little sister was going to do. "I hate kids" she muttered, walking toward the kitchen.