I Hardly Needed Saving

Parental Fury and Summer Dresses

When I walk inside, my mom runs up and hugs me—with food still in her mouth. Yeah, she's cooking.

"Hey hunnnny!" she says, grinning wide. "How was your first day at school?"

I hold up my arm. Her eyes go huge. Oh shit...

"Who the hell did that?! I swear, if it was Eddie, I'm gonna beat that boy's ass, Lyla!"

"Well, get to beating then."

"Lyla. Eddie did this? I thought he stopped all of this."

"Guess he's starting again."

Her face darkens. "No, Lyla. You need to end this. I'm tired of him hurting you."

"I am, Mom. I promise. I don't even love him anymore. Trust me, I'm ending it—soon."

"Good. Now come keep me company in the kitchen—I hate cooking alone."

"Where's Dad?"

"Upstairs taking a shower. You know he's gonna flip when he sees your arm."

"I'll put on a jacket... maybe he won't notice."

I head upstairs to find something simple to cover my cast, but... I don't feel like hiding it. I'd rather deal with Dad's ranting than bundle up like a marshmallow. I hear him moving around down the hall, so I head back downstairs and sit at the bar, watching Mom cook. She glances at me.

"Decided not to wear the jacket, huh?"

I nod. So does she. We both know Dad's about to lose his mind.

We hear him coming down the stairs. His bright smile lights up the room—God, I freaking love my dad. He walks over and hugs me. Then he sees the cast.

His smile vanishes. "LYLA, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR ARM?!"

"Jeez, Dad! I'm standing right here! No need to shout."

"Sorry, sweetheart. What happened to our baby girl?"

"Eddie got a little... mad today."

Dad's jaw clenches. "Well, Eddie's gonna be a little broken—as in, all his damn bones!"

"No, Dad, it's okay. I'm leaving him soon. I'll handle it."

"If he ever touches you again, can I please punch that little twat?!"

"Yes, Dad. Now let's eat—I'm starving!"

He calms down, but I can see him still stewing.

"Hey, Lyla—who was that guy who dropped you off?"

I freeze. My dad was spying on me?! I didn't even notice.

"Nobody," I say quickly.

"Mmmhmm. It looked like a guy, but those tinted windows, man..."

"Dad, stop. He's just a friend—and a really good tattoo artist."

"Tattoo artist?! Oh, I have to meet this boy. Have you seen his work?"

"Actually... I've got some of it on me right now."

His eyebrows shoot up. "Go get it—I want to see."

I stand, lift the side of my shirt, and carefully peel off the wrap. My dad nearly spits out his food. Yeah, it's that good.

"Oh my God—he did this?!"

"Yep. He owns his own shop. Isn't it beautiful?"

"It's amazing!"

Mom chimes in, smirking. "Okay, soooo when do you start dating this guy?"

"MOM!"

We all burst out laughing. I can tell—they already like Seth. This is going to be fun.

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*******

The next morning, I take a long shower, blow-dry my hair, and get dressed for school. The sun is blazing, so I pick out a white summer dress—something light and breezy. I apply some tattoo cream on my side, careful not to smudge it, then slip into the dress. A pair of white Converse to complete the look.

I glance in the mirror. Simple, clean, and cute. I smile.

I have no idea what's going to happen today...

But with Seth around?

Anything is possible.

⸻

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—Heather 💜