I Will Listen

III

Chapter Three

Lily's POV

It's hard to understand why Jason even cares. Anyone can tell just by looking at him that in high school he was the 'popular' kid. Someone like him, a handsome boy who's got it all going for him shouldn't care about some mute girl he just met. Especially not an ugly one. Please, show me a world where something like that would make sense. I don't believe it, so I don't answer him. He's probably just trying to keep up his All-American image.

I need to lose the thought. It's a negative thought and those never get you anywhere. I back up a few steps away from the door, but I run into the counter and knock something off of it. It scares me a little, so I turn around to see what happened. I let out he sall breath that I didn't know I was holding and pick up the shampoo bottle that he left on the counter.

"Lily?!" I hear Jason's voice yet again coming through the door, feigning worry.

I'm turned away from the door, placing the bottle of shampoo back on the counter when the door swings open and slams into the wall next to me. I don't wait and see what happened, I just get thrown into a pile of harsh memories.

The sound. That was the first thing that I remembered. It was like a crash.

* * * * *

The door swings open loudly, causing it to crash into the wall of my bedroom. When I looked at where it had slammed in, I see a dent in the wall. He walks towards me and plasters this evil smirk on his haggard face. I cringe and close my eyes, already knowing what was going to happen. Already knowing that I had no control over stopping it.

* * * * *

The next his that happened was that I saw Jason. I hadn't seen Jason though, I had seen him. It made me think about something else that happened at my old house. It's terrible to think that someone would treat their own offspring like that. Like a toy or a piece of gum stuck on their shoe. It makes me sick to think about, so I didn't think I just swung.

I swung on the guy that broke into a locked room. I swung on the guy that I expected to by my father. I swung on Jason.

JASON?!

It's not my dad. Not my dad. Not him. It's just freaking Jason!

I kept my gaze on the ground while Jason yelled out after I hit him in the jaw. Apparently my swing hurt. That is very unexpected.

"Ow! Lily, what the hell?"

My hands shake as I look around for my notebook to write an apology. It's not here. Where is it? The entrance room. It's out there still.

I need to apologize and I need to do it now. I start signing at him. I close my hand into a fist and close my eyes with it, hoping that my expression shows just how sorry I am and that it was indeed an accident as I move my hand in a circle in front of my chest.

"Woah, woah, woah, Lily? What are you doing?" He asks me as he stops my frantic signing with his own hands wrapping around my fist.

Jason's POV

As I wrap my hands around hers, she tenses up a lot. Much to my surprise though, she lets it happen and takes a deep breath.

It's crazy how big my hands are compared to hers. They've got to be twice the size.

"Lily... What happened to you?" My voice comes out quieter than a mouse. Hell, it was almost quieter than hers. Wow.

Not the time Jason.

She shakes her head and motions to the door. She brushes past me and walks out into the main room before reappearing with her notebook. She starts scribbling and I just sit on the counter and watch her write. Her pen is moving so quickly.

Damn, she would be a good reporter. She writes SO fast.

I'm broken out of my thoughts with a notebook being shoved into my lap. She wrote so fast!

I am so, so sorry! Are you okay? I'm really sorry... I have trust issues, and I wasn't sure it was you- I don't know... I didn't necessarily have the nicest upbringing. I'm sorry, but why did you come in here?

Once I finish the note I look up at her. She looks scared and small. I frown gently and try to clear it off my face before talking, "It's fine, I'm okay. I came in because I heard a super loud crash, I was worried. I didn't know what it was. If you were hurt or something... I'm sorry, Lily."

My cheeks are hot, probably red. I'm so stupid. Things fall all the time! I always jump to conclusions. It's my worst personality trait.

"Lily, are you sure you're okay?" I watch her for a moment before she nods her head. She looks fragile, I don't want to push her, but I got scared. I don't know why. "You're sure?" This time when she nods, I'm blessed with a small smile coming my way too.

With what I'm sure is a sad smile I nod to myself, "Okay Lily." Standing up to leave, I want to ask her a question. "Do you mind if I ask what happened to you..?"

She inhales deeply and writes a few words.

Nothing. It's not important.

When she shows me I frown and try my best to keep it off my face. "You don't have to tell me now. But if we're gonna be roommates, I'm gonna need to know." My cheeks are warm; red. But then again, hers are too. "Just know, whatever shit you've been through, I will listen, and I won't hurt you."

There's a knock on the door and I glance at Lily, who is still blushing. She gives me a look, that I'm assuming means, 'go get the door.'

 When I answer the knock I am met by a gruff, haggard looking man. He's close enough that I can smell the day old alcohol on his breath. "Is Lillian Monterra here?" His voice is deep, almost angry. "And why are you in my beloved daughter's room?!"

I nod and say, "We're roommates, sir. Give me a minute, and I'll go get her." I leave the older man in the doorway and go to leave but he speaks up again.

"What's your name, son?"

"Jason Michaels, sir." I hold my hand out to him to shake and when he grabs my hand he pulls me forward.

"Now I know what to call you if you ever offend me. Go get Lillian."

I almost want to tell him that she actually just left, but I can't lie to her father. If he wants to see her he can see her. This man just gives me a weird vibe.

Nodding my head to him once in respect, I say, "It's nice to meet you, sir, I'll be back in a moment."

I make my way back to the bathroom door and knock lightly, "Hey Lily, it's for you. I think it's your dad."