With You

Chapter 13

This chapter mentions: Abuse, Self-Harm and Eating Disorders

Ricky's POV

It's been 3 weeks since the first time my dad hit me. I thought it'd be a one time thing but it became a regular occurrence. Mom was gone and dad would drink more. He said it's my fault and he never wanted a kid in the first place. I felt bad because I ruined my mom and dad's marriage.

Since my dad started hitting me, I got better at covering any marks and bruises. I didn't want anyone to know. It was my fault anyways. I upset dad too much. Every time dad hit me I ended up relapsing and hurting myself. I was doing better too but it's all my fault.

I sighed after looking at myself in the mirror. I'd been doing pretty good on skipping meals and the meals I didn't skip, I threw up. It doesn't seem like I'm losing any weight. Was interrupted out of my thoughts by the doorbell ringing. I went downstairs to open it and see who it was.

It was Gina.

"Hey, Gina," I said letting her in. "What brings you here?"

"Can we go to your room? We need to talk," She told me. I froze. What did she want to talk about? Did I do something wrong. We walked to my room in silence. Once we got there we stood in silence until Gina spoke up.

"Sit," She said. So I had done something wrong. "Is everything okay here?"

Her voice was soft. I looked at her trying not to cry. She didn't need to know anything.

"Yeah everything is fine," I told her my voice shaking. I hope she didn't notice.

"Cut the bullshit Ricky," She told me. "You haven't eaten lunch with us in forever and when you do it's the smallest portion ever and then you disappear to the bathroom. I've seen you at the store buying concealer and I know it's not because of E.J. because he mentioned to me that you haven't been over lately. And lastly, you've been wearing nothing but long sleeves and hoodies."

I couldn't even answer her, I just began crying my eyes out.

"Hey, I didn't mean to make you cry," She told me softly. "I'm just worried about you."

I told her the story about how my dad has been yelling at me and how he told me I need to lose weight. I told her how it was all my fault he was angry. I told her everything just leaving out that my dad hits me.

"Ricky, you need to eat. It's not good if you don't. You don't need to lose weight and nothing is your fault," She told me. " My house is always open if you need it." Before I could respond I heard the door slam downstairs and my dad yell Ricky.

My eyes widen and I looked at Gina.

"Get in my closet and stay quiet. Please trust me." I told Gina. She looked confused before doing what I told her.

My dad came in my room not even two seconds after my dad came in my room.

"I thought I told you to have the dishes done when I came home," My dad yelled. "When will you ever learn." My dad slapped me then pushed me down and kicked me in stomach. I curled up in pain. Could I ever catch a break?

My dad left the room and Gina came out the closet.

"Come on Ricky, we're going to my house," She told me packing some of my things. "We have to tell somebody."

"No, Gina please we can't." I begged her.

"Ricky, I can't let this keep happening." She told me.

"Gina please, don't tell. I promise if things get worse I'll say something," I pleaded. Gina didn't want to agree but she did.

"Fine, but you're still sleeping over tonight," She told me. "And I'm making you eat something while you're there."

Once we got to her house, Gina made me some soup. "Here eat this, it's not to heavy so it won't upset your stomach."

"Can I have some pepper for this. Spices speed up your metabolism," I told her. If I was going to eat I wanted to make sure I didn't gain any weight.

"Ricky," She sighed. To please her I ate the soup without complaints. After eating I started to head towards Gina's bathroom.

"No way, you're keeping this food in," She told me sternly. I looked down at my stomach that was bigger than normal.

"Look how fat I look. My stomach is sticking out," I argued with her.

"Ricky you're not fat. You never have been. Your stomach is sticking out because it's not used to food being in it." She told me. "Come on let's watch some movies before we go to bed."

Gina and I binged Disney movies before falling asleep in her room. As she slept curled into my side I thought about how lucky I was to have her in my life.