I Hate You But I Love You.

I Hate You But I Love You. Chapter 18

**Lukas’ P.O.V.**

Pain. Oh holy shit pain... Is someone crying? Where am I?

I tried to open my eyes but found it to be too difficult. I was faintly aware that I wasn’t on the ground anymore but on my bed. There were some sniffles to my right and someone was wiping a tissue under my nose.

“Oh… I-I’m so so-orry my love,” my mother cried softly from my left.

“…mom…” I croaked out, trying to open my eyes.

“Shh, honey.”

I finally managed to crack my eyes open to see my mom leaning over me; tear trails down her cheeks, and my dark room as a background. She tried to smile at me, but I could see her breaking. “Don’t worry. He left. Jona came back home shortly after I woke up and he’s in bed now.”

I stared up blankly at my ceiling; unsure of what to say.

“I’m so sorry, honey,” she whispered.

“It’s not your fault.”

She suddenly held a hand over her mouth, trying to quiet a loud sob, and she started nodding, “But it is! I can’t even protect my own son.” She let her head fall in defeat and started shaking.

I weakly grabbed her hand and tried to give her a comforting squeeze, “It doesn’t matter. You can’t be expected to do all of these things in your condition. And at least we can protect Jona.”

She looked up at me with watering eyes and let out another sob, “No. You shouldn’t have to go through this. I’m supposed to protect you. It shouldn’t be the other way around.”

“Yeah, well the father shouldn’t do these things to his family but it happens anyway,” I spat out in disgust. But she just started crying some more. I sighed and tried not to move and briefly wondered if I had a broken rib or nose.

After a few minutes mom calmed down and picked up a bottle of water that was on the ground and held out two pills, “I have pain killers.” She carefully helped me raise my head and fed me the pills and held the bottle to my mouth. I felt beyond week.

I lay back down and tried to suppress a groan; I really pissed him off this time. Mom started smoothing my hair away from my forehead; trying to quiet her sniffles.

“I’m sorry. I wish you could stay home tomorrow, but…” she trailed off. I meekly nodded, understanding what she meant. If I tried to stay home tomorrow there’s no doubt that I would be in danger for my life.

**Scarlet’s P.O.V.**

“Okay class, get started on your projects,” my school art teacher, Mrs. Winston, announced. I sighed and pulled out my sketch book. This was the only class I didn’t have any friends in; unless if you counted Lukas and his gang.

They sat at the table next to me; Lukas showed up today but he looked really upset. I noticed his nose was bruised and he just seemed really zoned out today. Even all of his friends weren’t talking much, like they knew something was wrong.

I stole a glance at their table and saw Lukas staring blankly at the paper in front of him. Mark, who was sitting next to him, looked up at me. I offered a polite smile and turned back to my work.

“Hey Scarlet,” Mark called, “You always sit by yourself; come sit with us.”

I looked over at the empty seat across from Lukas, who looked up when Mark started talking. Our eyes locked and it seemed like I could feel his pain. What is up with you, Lukas?

“If no one minds,” I said, grabbing my stuff and sitting at the table. Lukas shrugged and looked back down at his blank paper while Mark and Dakota smiled politely at me.