grey

seven

It was 6:00 at night and still I hadn't left Andrews. We spent the day watching cheesy movies and cuddling, and a snack every hour or so. I told Andrew that I needed to go home, that my dad would hurt me even harder for every second that I was gone. He disagreed at first, but then drove me home. When we pulled into my driveway, he got out of the car with me.

"Andrew stop! What are you doing?"

"I'm saving your ass, get back in the car."

He ran to my door and pounded on it, yelling for my father. I prayed to the god the I didn't believe in that he was on the couch passed out. As I was yelling for Andrew to come back, I saw the door start to open. I got out of the car and ran to my front door to save my childhood companion.

"Laney, where have you been!?"

I could hear the rage in his voice, even though he was trying to keep quiet in front of the company I had brought.

"I was just out with my friend Andrew, dad. Not a big deal, I'm perfectly fine."

I tried to get Andrew to leave, but had no luck.

"Laney, get inside. Right now."

I ran inside as Andrew stood speechless. I slammed the door in his face right when I stepped through the threshold. I knew the door wasn't soundproof though, and I knew Andrew wasn't going to like what he heard next.

"So, you've taken up prostitution? I'm surprised anyone would pay for you! You're disgusting!"

He slapped me across the face, harder than ever before.

"I'm not selling my ass for money!"

I realized right there that what I just said had gotten me a death sentence.

"This is my house, and these are my rules. When my daughter talks back, she gets punished!"

He slammed me into the tile floor and kicked me harder than in the past. I knew Andrew heard it all, I could hear his somewhat muffled yells through the door. I tried to stand up, tried to escape. My father got even worse. He wrapped his hands around my neck and slammed me against the wall, not loosening his grip.

"You are just like your mother, and you deserve to be where she is. In hell."

A single tear rode down my face as I held back a thousand more. Crying in front of him would make it all worse. He let his grip go, dropping me to the floor, and walked into his bedroom. The door slammed shut behind him and I just sat on the floor in shock. I didn't know what else to do. Then I remembered Andrew. I went to open the door but fell twice on the way. I finally made it to Andrew and I fell into his arms, crying hysterically. He stroked my hair and neck until I calmed down a bit, then asked if he was still here. I told him that he had left through the back, only because I didn't want Andrew going after him. It was too dangerous. I told him it would be okay for me, and asked him to leave. He hesitated for a few minutes before leaving, but eventually did go. I went up to my room and locked the door, took a few sleeping pills, and fell into my happy little dream world.