Duet • t.m [personal] (completed)

Chapter 2

[This contains self harm!]

Toby's Pov

I stared at the blank screen of her two pillows and green wall. The pillow was stitched and said "For God So Loved The World" which was obviously hand stitched. I heard yelling on her side of the call and I heard slapping. I was really scared Joy got hurt. I wanted to know who that was. I wanted to know if that was abuse. I wanted to know exactly what was happening to Joy.

I sat there, almost in tears and Connor came in. I ignored him, setting my mind on Joy.

"Hey, Toby. I heard screaming?" Connor said and it sounded like a question. I didn't say anything, just continued to hear screams, yelling and slapping.

Connor came next to me and saw the two pillows and green wall.

"Who's that?" Connor said.

Then Joy came by, she didn't knowledge me and Connor. She sat on her bed, she had a shiny object in her hand.

Joy's Pov

I was getting tired of my mom's bullshit. So, I needed to cut. I cut in a very secretive spot with scissors.

My laptop's screen was black and I forgot what I was doing because I was so upset.

I took off my shirt exposing my black lace bra and slaps from the belt my mom hit me with when I forgot about my chores and I took my scissors to my left boob. I scrapped it across and watched the red marks show up with every mark and moved to the next boob. The reason I cut on my boobs is so no one will see the cuts.

Toby's Pov

I was just staring in shock, Joy totally was cutting her.. boobs? I had tears running down my face and it was so disgusting to watch, but I couldn't take my eyes off of her. Connor was watching too.

"Who is that? Why are you crying?" Connor asked.

"That's Joy, the girl I'm doing a duet with," I said. Joy's eyes darted around her room. She looked scared and surprised. Then she stared right at me. She scribbled at her mouse on her laptop and froze.

"D-Did you see that?" she asked as she covered her chest with her shirt.

"Y-Yeah, you can see your bones.." I said as I wiped my tears away.

She put on her shirt and said, "I'm sorry, but I need to cut. I just am so worthless and-"

I cut her off, "Joy, you are amazing and definitely not worthless. You are a really good singer and you should really come see us. I'll talk to my mom about you and ask if we can get plane tickets for you to come over," I said.

"Wait, what were those marks on your stomach?" Connor asked.

"M-My mom... she hits me with a belt every time she thinks I forget my chores, when I can't do them with my knee," Joy said.

"Oh, so what happened with your knee?" Connor asked.

"I wasn't the smartest person and was texting while skating," Joy said as she blushed. Connor and I laughed.

"Not the smartest decision, Joy!" Connor laughed. I pushed him off the bed. "Did you not see how depressed this girl this? This girl is amazing and you're going to make fun of her!" I yelled.

"Toby, it's okay. I'm used to people making fun of me," Joy said in her deep voice. She wiped a tear from her eye and faked a smile at me.

"No, my brother is just stupid," I said and watched him leave.

She laughed, "that's not nice!"

"So, anyways, before your mom interrupted us, you were saying something about hate?" I ask.

"Oh yeah, I used to be bullied. I was rapped once and I don't talk about it.. they bullied me about that and told me that I was ugly, no one bullies me now. Every once and awhile, I get called ugly," she said as she looked at her keyboard.

"Oh.. Joy, can I tell you something?" I ask her as I crossed my eyes to look at my nose in boredom.

"Of course, Toby," she said forcing a smile. She pulled her knees to her face and rested her chin in between her knees. I was scared.

"Can I have your number?" I ask.

"Sure, it's 724-970-3831," she said.

I remembered it and placed it in my phone. I sent her a text "hi! :)"

"Toby, you are so corny!" Joy laughs.

"I've learned to take that as a complement," I said and we both laughed.