Peter's Secret

Chapter Fourteen

It's been about a week since my fight with Peter. I noticed on those days he hasn't been at school either. I wonder why he hasn't been at school. I've asked a few people and they said they haven't seen him.

"Riley, wake up." Aiden said coming into my room. I pulled my blanket over my head. "No." I whined. "Riley." Aiden said pulling the blanket off me entirely. "Ugh, it's cold!" I said trying to grab for my blanket again. "No, get up." He said leaving my blanket on the ground and leaving the room.

Finding something to wear I decided on a white shirt with a rose on it with washed out ripped jeans and black converse. Going to the bathroom I needed to do my hair as it was a mess. I curled my brown colored hair and grabbed my backpack and phone. I then went outside as Alyssa was waiting for me.

***

"Okay so are you guys going to the dance?" I asked everyone at the lunch table. "I did." Sadie said. "Tracy and I are going." Ethan said. "Yeah." Alyssa and Emily said at the same time. "My dad said I could." Kevin said. "Great. So we're all going." I nodded. "Is Peter going?" Alyssa asked. I shrugged. "He hasn't been at school for a week."

The bell then rang for fourth period and we all began to walk to our classes. In the crowded hallway out the corner of my eye I saw a gold Adidas logo. Turning around I saw Peter walking past me and down the hallway in the opposite way of our class.

Surprised and confused I followed him. He turned the hallway and began walking out the school doors to the football field. I walked out after him and called him name: "Peter." I said softly. He stopped immediately.

"Riley..." his voice was shaky. He didn't turn around. "Where have you been?" I asked. He didn't answer. "Peter." I repeated. He still didn't answer. Touching his shoulder he hissed and moved away from me. "Ow, Riley. What the heck!" he said angrily turning around. I felt like my heart skipped a beat. There was a bruise under his left eye then there was a scar on his cheek.  

He saw me staring and he pulled his hood over his head and started to walk away. "Peter...Peter!" I called. I started after him and pulled his wrist to make him stop. "What." he said turning towards me.

"What's your problem?" I said. "Nothing." he said looking away. "What happened to your face?" I asked. "Nothing, I fell." He said softly. "I don't believe that. Peter, what's wrong? Did Xavier do that to you?!" I said examining his face.

"No." he said pulling away. "Then who did it." I asked. He sighed. "Come with me." he said walking away. I followed him to behind the cafeteria building. He turned to me. "Now what's going on? Why haven't you been at school? And-" "Will you stop for a minute?!" he demanded.

I stopped talking. "I'm sorry. I'm just upset at my dad." he apologized. "Why?" I asked. "I need to show you something..." he trailed. "What is it?" I asked. He started to look around and I could tears forming in his eyes.

"Peter, are you okay?" I asked. He shook his head and tears began to flow down his cheeks. "Peter, what's wrong." I asked. "I-I-I..." he stuttered. "Breathe, Peter." I said. He took a deep breathe and he began to speak: "At home, I get abused by my dad." he said finally.

It felt like my heart stopped. "What?" I choked out. "He beats me." He said shakily. "How bad?" I said on the verge of tears. "I'll show you." he said. "S-Show me?" I stammered. He began to take off his sweater and shirt and my breathing hitched in my throat.

His chest was covered in bruises and scars. "Peter." I said as I began to cry. He leaned against the building wall. I noticed marks on his neck and then I noticed more down his body. "Peter, there are...hickies on your body..." I trailed—afraid if they were from another girl.