Staying Hidden

Someone Who Cares

After school, I was walking to the dance studio when a truck pulled up next to me. The man rolled down the passenger window to talk to me.

"Hey, sweet thang, hop in," he said.

I didn't respond.

"You deaf? I said get in," he said.

No response.

The truck stopped and I kept walking, slowly picking up my pace. He caught my arm and put his hand over my mouth. I began to kick and scream, but he just squeezed me tighter.

"Okay, listen," he whispered in my ear. "You're gonna be my girlfriend and like it. That way, no one gets hurt. Understood?"

It took me a minute to realize who it was. It was Vincent. Again. I sighed. He wanted publicity. Wasn't sure why since the audience was the student body, but he must've really loved the attention.

He let me go and went back to his truck. "Get in," he ordered.

I got in and didn't say a word.

"We're goin to a party where you're gonna meet some buddies of mine and do whatever they want. I don't care what it is. Just do what they say," he said.

I nodded and started thinking of ways to get out of the situation. I scrolled through my phone and when I reached Mr. O'Connor's number, I sent him a simple text.

Me: Cawcaw.

Mr. O'Connor: Call 911 cawcaw or come get me first Cawcaw?

Me: 2

Mr. O'Connor: Where are you?

Me: I don't know, but I'm being taken to a party where I might be expected to do some things I'm not ready to do. I'll take a picture of the house and send it to you when I get there.

Mr. O'Connor: Okay, Vanessa. Be careful.

When we approached the house, I got out the truck and Vincent came up to me.

"If we're gonna be boyfriend and girlfriend, we obviously have to take pictures together. So let's take one now," I said pulling up the camera on my phone.

We stood in front of the house, I made sure I got the numbers on the house in the picture, and took a picture. He approved it and I acted like I posted it to my Instagram, but I sent it to Mr. O'Connor.

Mr. O'Connor: On my way.

In the meantime, Vincent escorted me in the house and around ten guys were sitting on the couch, being guys. They looked at me and back at Vincent.

"She up for grabs?" One asked.

"All of my girls are, you know that," he said. "But I get to go first," he said and kissed me.

I pushed him off, but he punched my stomach, making the kiss last longer for him. His buddies hooted and hollered, but I wanted to cry and puke.

"Okay, my turn," one said and they all ran to me, kissing different areas of my body like my arms and legs and stomach.

I couldn't control it anymore, I finally kicked them all in the face. I couldn't fake it like that. I just couldn't. Vincent got livid and went to punch my face, but I ducked. I beat up every single guy in the room. I kept hoping and praying that Mr. O'Connor was right around the corner.

The doorbell rang and Vincent answered it. Mr. O'Connor stood there, dressed in his officer costume. (He was an officer for Halloween).

"Got a call from a neighbor about loud noises and they said it sounded like fighting. That true?" He asked.

"Nah, we're just havin some fun," Vincent put his arm around me.

"Miss, can I ask you a few questions downtown?" He looked at me.

"Yes sir. Bye, Vincent," I waved and practically ran out the door.

We hopped into Mr. O'Connor's car and drove off.

"Thank you," I said.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, just tired," I looked out the window.

"Well, I'll drop you off at home and you can get some rest," he said.

"Actually, I was planning on going to the dance studio," I said. "Need to work on my pirouettes."

"Vanessa, tell me the truth. Why don't you go home?" He looked me dead in the eyes.

Instant tears filled my eyes as Mr. O'Connor parked his car.

"I got kicked out," I whispered.

He hugged me and I tried not to cry. The tears slowly trickled down my cheeks and I coughed slightly. Sobs slowly escaped my lips and I buried my face in his shoulder. He hugged me tighter and rubbed my back.

"No one knows," I said.

"Did she say why?" He looked at me.

"She said I was a mistake and that she didn't want anything to do with me," I said in between cries.

"Well, let me tell you, you're not a mistake. I promise," he said.

"I just don't understand what I did to make her not love me."

"There's no answer. But you know you're always welcome at my house," he said.

I shook my head. "You have a big family. One that isn't dysfunctional. I couldn't just waltz in and be like, 'Welp here I am!' It wouldn't be fair."

"You being homeless isn't fair," he said.

"Life isn't fair," I said.

"That's very true," he said.

"I just wanna sleep and forget all about today," I said wiping my eyes.

"How have you been sleeping?" He asked.

"I bought an air mattress for the studio. During the day, it stays in the closet," I said.

"Vanessa, you know my wife loves you. You deserve so much more than an air mattress," he said.

"Obviously not. It seems as though no matter what I do, it's never been good enough for my mom. Everyone at school, well mostly everyone, has been calling me a slut, whore... Everyone thinks I slept with this guy, and then the guy you got me from wanted to do it with me, so did all of his friends, and I just don't understand how I would deserve happiness, if all of these horrible things happen to me," I vented.

"Where have John and Grace been?" He asked.

"Grace just lost a family member and John's visiting his family," I said.

"Have you told them about this?" He asked.

"I can't. Grace is in mourning and John can't do anything about it. Plus, he's having a good time visiting. What kind of person would I be if I messed it up for him?" I asked.

"Vanessa, here's where you should have yourself on the list of people to care about," he held his hand to his forehead. "and here's where you put you," he put his other hand a little below his chest.

"I don't know. I just wanna sleep," I sighed.

"Okay, go to sleep and I'll wake you up when we get to my house," he said.

"But--"

"No, Vanessa. Don't fight me on this. I promise you won't be imposing or burdening or anything," he said.

"Thank you," I said, laid my head back, and shut my eyes.