stay strong (completed) *sequel is Keep Holding On*

Chapter 21 the truth

Next morning

Lauren's pov

I woke oh to the sound of my alarm. I didn't want to go to school today. I got home so late last night. When I got home I went straight upstairs ignoring Lisa and Christina who were waiting for me to come home last night. I hope I didn't keep them up the whole night. I laid there for a few minutes. Thinking about last night.

Flash back

I was at school and max grabbed me. He pushed me into a car and he drove somewhere. He pulls me out and brings me into a house. It smelled like cigarette smoke and alcohol. He takes me to the basement and he beats me. He cut me he, burned me, whipped me and beat me more. He then pulled me up stairs and pushed me out the door shutting it behind him. I walked home..

End of flashback

I got up and went into the bathroom.

I quickly showered and got ready. I grabbed all the stuff I needed and I rode to school. I didn't tell anyone that I was leaving.

Lisa's pov

I woke up and I realized Lauren wasn't in her bed. I grab my phone and check the time. It was 8am so Lauren just started school. I slowly get up and see Christina in the door way.

You ok? She asks

Yeah I say

Something bothering you? She asks

I normally wake up when she's getting ready. She must have been really quiet this morning, I didn't hear anything. I say

Something's going on with her she says

And we need to find that out. I say

Text her and tell her were picking her up today. She says

Ok I say

I pull my phone out and text her. After I text her Christina and I go help Kath make breakfast for the little kids and then the kids do schoolwork.

Lauren's Pov

I don't want to be at school. I don't feel good and I'm so tired. I look at my phone and I have a text from Lisa

L- hey lo me and Chris are going to pick you up after school.

M- can you come pick me up? I don't feel good

L- yeah of course we there in 5. Just go to the nurses

Me - ok thanks

I raise my hand and ask to go to the nurses. She says yes and I go walk to the office. I get stopped by Caleb.

Where do you think your going? He asks

Home I don't feel good I say

Why should I let you go home? He asks

I don't feel good Caleb please just Ieave me alone I say

He pins me to a locker

Ow I say

Max hurt you pretty bad last night he says

Let me go I say

Let me see he says

No I say

He pins my arms up above my head and he lifts my shirt up

That looks like it hurts he says

It doesn't lie

He presses on one of the places where I was whipped

Ow! I say

I though you said that didn't hurt he says punching me in the stomach. He pushes me to the ground and he kicks me over and over. He then stops. He lifts my shirt up again and just above my belly button

That's going to hurt more he says

He leaves and I slowly get up. I walk to the office and I get released. Lisa and Christina come and pick me up and we walk to the car. Lisa stops me and asks what's going on.

I look her in the eyes and I fall apart like a little kid again. She pulls me into a hug and holds me. When I stop crying I tell them about yesterday and today. When I'm done telling them they are both in tears. We get in the car and go home. We go upstairs and I lay down on my bed. Christina and Lisa come in and lock the door behind them. Lisa has a first aid kit with her.

Can I check your stomach? She asks

I lift my shirt up

Oh my says Christina

Gosh says Lisa

I look down to see all of the belt, burns and bruises on my stomach.

If you think this is bad wait until you see my back I say

I turn so they say my back

Oh my gosh Lauren! Says Lisa

Does that hurt? Asks Christina

Yeah really badly I say slowly

Tears start pouring out of my eyes

She cleans and puts bandages on my cuts. I lay down and I have instant pain. I start yelling.

Calm down lo I know it hurts says Lisa

The pain doesn't stop and I keep yelling. My eyes start to get heavy and everything goes back..