my brother's best friend

•10•

k

so that just happened.

i skipped around happily towards my house, the thought of justin's lips on mine made me smile even more.

i never thought that someone could make someone else smile so fucking much...like damn.

i giggled to myself as i jammed the key into the lock and swung the door open.

i skipped into the living room until i heard someone clear their throat.

i immediately spun around and saw jackson standing by the stairs.

"where were you?" he clenched his jaw.

"i just went for a walk, why—"

"why was justin here earlier?" he cut me off.

i felt my whole body freeze as i stared into his dark eyes.

"w—what—"

"don't fucking play dumb kelsey." he growled, making my heart race by the second. "he was acting all weird and he said he was here to see me, and i knew it wasn't the truth. so what the fuck happened?" he crossed his arms.

i bit my lip and looked at the ground, avoiding all eye contact.

"i'm waiting." he snapped. "i'll stand here all day if i have to."

"jackson nothing happened—"

"are you guys fucking behind my back? because i swear to god kelsey if you—"

"no!" i shouted. "god damn it jackson! i'm so sick of you treating me like i'm some dumb bitch on the street! i don't have to share everything with you okay? deal with it!"

"so you guys are together then? hm?" his voice deepened as his veins began to pop from his forehead.

i had that feeling again. that feeling i hadn't had since i was kid. the screams, the calls for help, everything. mom said it was gonna be okay...that jackson was gonna get better. that this whole anger management class was going to help. but knowing him, that part of him would never disappear.

"i'm not telling you anything." i mumbled as i looked back up at him, afraid, just like i was when i was little.

before i managed to say anything else, the vase crashed onto the ground in front of me, the glass flying everywhere making me shriek as i quickly stood back so my feet don't get cut.

i whimpered with fear as i glanced at his cold expression, like there was nothing but emptiness left in his body.

"you fucking bitch." he hissed, making the goosebumps rise up my skin. "you ruined our friendship. you ruined everything. you always do."

i bit my lip from crying as i carefully backed away, placing my hand on the handle as i was ready to make a run for it.

"you're a fucking slut, you know that?" he growled as he took another step towards me, a tear running down my cheek as i bit my lip terrified.

before i had a chance to do anything else, i felt his hand come in contact with my cheek, making me gasp loudly at the rush of blood running through my face.

a sob escaped my lips as i shakily opened the door, making a run for it before he could get his hands on me again.

"where the fuck do you think you're going?!" he barked making me run behind the car, my chest moving quickly as i tried to catch my breath.

i dialed my mom's phone number, the tears running down my cheeks as i felt my cheek sting as if he hand imprinted on me.

i was instantly sent to voicemail which made me cry even more.

i quickly dialed justin's number, but my hands were to shaky to press call.

and before i managed to press call, my phone blacked out, a gasp escaped from my mouth as i dropped my phone to the ground.

great. now what do i do? my phone's dead, my house is a fucking slaughterhouse...

i slowly stood up and looked around. the sun was already setting, so i did the only thing i could think of. run over to justin's house, because emma just had to be out of town...

he lived 10 minutes away with a car, and my keys are inside so, looks like i'm gonna have to walk.

i sighed as i began to walk, my foot dragging the other as i cried to myself quietly, rubbing my cheek gently as it burned even more.

j

"justin i've never seen you so smiley before." my mom smirked at me before continuing to wash the dishes.

i licked my lips as i tried to hide the small smile forming onto my face as i scrolled through our texts happily, once again.

"alright sweetie i'm taking a nap upstairs, don't make too much noise if you invite someone over." she blew a kiss before her feet bounced on the creaking stairs up to her room.

i licked my lips and grabbed the remote, my finger barely reaching to the power button until i heard the doorbell.

i sighed and hopped off the couch in a hurry as i slid down the hall in my socks, something i always did as a kid.

i hummed my favorite song as i yanked the door open, my happiness completely destroyed as my eyes were frozen.

kelsey kept her eyes on the ground, her body quickly moving up and down, clearly out of breath.

i quickly stepped over the doorstep until my arms reached around her weak body as i held her tightly.

"kelsey, talk to me kelsey." i whispered as her quivering breath began to even out as i placed my hand over her cheek.

"i'm so scared." she mumbled out shakily against my cheek, making my heart burn.

"come here." i instantly swooped her off her feet and into my arms, as her face was buried into my chest, her sniffles starting up once again.

i carried her out the door and locked it behind me, as i fast walked towards my room.

"you're okay beautiful." i whispered dumbfounded. "you're with me now."

she nodded slowly against my chest as i placed her carefully onto my bed as i shut the door quietly.

"talk to me, baby." i whispered as i sat on my bed, holding her close to me as she whimpered softly.

"h—he slapped me." she breathed out making my stomach churn.

i felt my entire mindset go blank as i realized what she was trying to tell me.

"kelsey." i spoke as gently as i could. "did jackson do this to you?"

i clenched my jaw as i waited for her response, her exhausted eyes glued to mine as she nodded slowly making me swallow hard.

he hit her?

i shook my head in disbelief