It Only Takes One

Twenty Nine

Harley:

"Harley," Jess said, slightly hesitant. "What did you mean yesterday?" 

Nothing. My face was just blank, I didn't know what to say. They weren't just going to drop it if I said nothing - they would have forced it out somehow. 

"You said you got the crap beaten out of you for nothing, what did you mean? We're your bestfriends Harl, you know you can talk to us right?" Luke said. 

They were all watching me and I didn't know how to tell them. It was really hard and too much for me to deal with. I didn't want to remind myself of what had happened.

"You don't have to tell us if you don't want to. But we're not going to judge you or see you any differently because of whatever has happened," Evie added.

I must've been sat there in silence for a while as Johno looked at me as if he'd just realised something, "Harl?" I snapped out of wherever I'd been.

I felt sick. "Um..." I paused, not knowing where or who to look at.

"Has Malcom hit you?" He asked. 

I was in complete shock. Where did that come from? How did he know it was Malcom?

"Because you've got a lift of some woman for two days and he usually brings you. You've not been going back to your place - the woman across the road said she hasn't seen you once for the two months." He added to give a reason for accusing Malcom.

"Come to think of it, you were always warey around Malcom. You'd always try to avoid him as much as possible and I've seen you flinch a couple of times, when he's gone to touch you," Ethan said, adding it up.

"Yeah," I murmered, hanging my head down. Then a hand was placed on my shoulder and I was carefully pulled towards Johno. My head rested sideways on his shoulder, as I let out a shakey sigh. Luke and Evie both took one of my hands, from across the table, and held onto it. I felt Jess tuck herself under my arm and gently hug me. Ethan had placed a hand just above my knee, giving it a small, reassuring squeeze. I slowly brought my head off Johno's shoulder and gave them a faint smile. 

"We won't let him hurt you again, Harl. We won't let anyone hurt you. If you ever need help, then you come to us, okay? We're not going anywhere." Johno said, looking crushed but doing his best to give me a smile.