He Saved Me

Chapter twelve

"Mason, I-I" I stutter, too shocked to process anything.

"Leah, I'm begging you" He says, eyes glossy.

"I can't. I can't put that burden on you, your parents. I can't do it" I say looking down at my hands.

"But you can. My mom has said it, you basically live here. You are like her daughter. It would make her happy to know that you are safe. Please, do it for me, for Ellie, for my mother" He says tilting my head up to look into his eyes.

"Mason, I appreciate it. I love you and your whole family. But I'm okay at home. I'm almost 18, and then, I'll have no fear of reporting them to the police. I need to go now" I say giving him a hug.

"Leah, I can't let you go home. Do you know what it will do to me? Do you know what it has been doing to me. From the second I saw you I knew you were different in many ways. When I got to know you I knew there was something you were hiding from everyone. This exact situation had crossed my mind and I pushed it out, in fear of being right. I can't let you" He says gripping my wrist.

"Mas, you are a sweetheart and I'm so thankful for you. I'm okay, aren't I? I'm happier now, I'm here almost every day. I'm perfect" I say smiling as a tear drops down his face. "I will text you when I get home" I say walking out of his room, wiping a stray tear away.

"Leah, what happened?" Ellie says grabbing my arm.

"I can't right now" I say running out of the house and driving away.

I pull over at the park and calm down a little, giving Ellie a call.

"Ellie, who's on the phone" I hear Mason say as soon as she picks up.

"What happened Le?" She says and the waterworks flow again.

"To sum it all up, my parents abuse me and Mason asked me to live at your house but I can't put that burden on you guys" I say trying to control my sobs.

"Where are you?" Ellie's voice cracks.

"The park" I breathe out.

"I'm coming with you" I hear Mason say at the sound of a door closing.

"Mas, you have football" Ellie says on the other line.

"Screw football. I'll tell coach I'm sick. I never miss" He says and the line goes dead. I get out of the car, holding in my tears and sit on the bench, away from everyone.

"Leah" I hear Ellie yell and she hugs me. I melt into the hug, feeling hopeless.

"This is my responsibility. I've been dealing with this practically my whole life. I can go through one more month" I smile at them, through my tears.

"But you shouldn't have to" Ellie sobs, sitting next to me.

"I know, I know" I say comforting her.

"I'm okay now though. It's been some time since my father hit me and my parents are going on a two week long business trip in a week" I say and I hear Mason suck in a sharp breathe.

"Mas, come here" I say embracing both him and Ellie in a hug.

"Come stay with us that week" Mason says trying to hold back the tears.

"I'll try" I say kissing his cheek.

"I really need to go guys" I say and Mason stops me.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow morning, you need to come to my football game tomorrow" He says and I look at him confused.

"Mas, um. You-you don't want to be seen with me. Plus football games aren't really my thing and Ellie's a cheerleader-" I start rambling but stop when I make eye contact with Mason.