Flower ((A Dan Howell Fanfiction))

Chapter Seventeen (Missing Chapter):

So, like a dunce, and without even realizing it, I totally skipped an entire chapter, so I give it to you now, WAYYYYYYY overdue. And to finally clear up any confusion you might have had.

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"I'm sorry I worried you all," I say when Emily opens her front door.

Within seconds, I'm pulled inside and wrapped in a hug. Emily is crying, her shoulders shaking. I put my arms around her and watch over her shoulder as Adam and Xander come running over.

"Oh my god. Chyrs, what happened?" Adam asked.

Xander just stared at me, taking in the whole wreck I was.

I wasn't crying before, but now tears were fighting to come out. Emily pulls away and I can see she has runnels down her cheeks. Adam steps closer and holds up one of my hands.

I guess I never noticed how bruised my hands were: several of my fingertips were bruised purple and red. I had a large bruise on the meaty part of my right thumb and a large bruise on the palm of my left hand. I grimace at the damage.

Adam cups my chin and turns my head slightly, baring my Hello Kitty cheek.

I clench my eyes shut.

"Who did this to you? Why did you come home in someone else clothes? Where were YOU?!"

I flinch away from him, and he immediately frowns, stepping back.

"It was Jackie," I tell them with a cracked voice. "I stayed with Dan and Phil who helped me."

Emily gasps and covers her mouth, new tears filling her eyes; Xander curls his hands into fists and glares fire into the floor; Adam quietly seethes, walks to the door after grabbing a coat, and leaves.

"Jackie did this?" Emily says after Adam closes the door behind him. I just nod. She comes closer and reluctantly raises her hands to hold my face, running her thumb over the swell in my bottom lip; lightly touching the bandages on my cheek. She moves her hands from my face to shakily hover her fingers over the bruises on my hands.

"I can't believe Jackie would do this. Did he tell you why he did this?" she asked. I knew she was trying to see if I'd tell her I was lying and that Jackie wouldn't do this.

I look away from her eyes, and she lets out a choked sound when I say, "He didn't like it when I said No." She steps away from me and walks away, walking into the kitchen. I can hear her talking to someone. Xander moves closer to me, but says nothing; he raises a finger to his lips and points in her direction. We listen.

"Diana, your boy has done a terrible thing," Emily says.

Silence. She continues, "Your boy has forced himself on my girl. He's hurt Chrys. Adam is on his way over to the shop right now. Diana, we'll meet you there."

Emily comes back.

"Diana is on her way to the Witches Right Hand. I told her we'll meet her. Are you okay to be there, Chrys?"

I must have looked spooked, because Emily corrected herself.

"I understand if you don't want to. I'm sorry for asking."

I shake my head.

Xander gives me a curious look.

"No. I'll go, but can I borrow your phone so I can call someone?"