The fears we share

Chapter thirteen | His dad

After putting on my red, cropped tank top and denim shorts I walk down stairs to my aunt. She smiles while sipping her coffee. The tension builds and I take a glance at her, she wants to say something. 

"What is it?" I ask.

She shakes he head and sets the mug down, "Nothing."

I tilt my head and stare at her, "Hey."

She frowns and straightens her back, "Let's go to the salon." 

"What?" I ask.

She nods, "Yeah, come on." 

I stand in confusion but don't refuse, it's better than school. 

We arrive in front of the salon at the time my first period begins.

"You want to dye your hair?" My aunt asks smirking.

I shrug, "Steaks?"

"Okay, let's go." She says getting out.

As we walk through the doors I'm instantly a lot warmer and the people are nice.

"She wants streaks and a cut to her shoulders." My aunt tells the lady.

"My shoulders?" I question.

She nods with a smile, "What color hon?"

"Ummm...Red?" I look at her face waiting for her reaction.

"Okay." She says sitting.

Soon enough the lady got to work and cut my hair to my shoulders. I didn't think I'd like it at first but then it looked really good. After she put the streaks in I fell in love, my aunt paid and we left.

"Thanks." I say playing with my hair.

"Of course, I wanted to help get your mind off of things." She says.

I look at her blank expression, "You want to too."

She snaps her head my way, "I guess I should tell you."

We pull into our driveway and I'm left confused and a little worried. As we walk through the front door I wait for her words.

"What?" I ask.

"Ben told me not to tell you." She admits.

I don't know if I heard her right or not, "What?"

"He lives near us, I can't see you like this." She says.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"You're his friend,...you care for him no matter what." She says.

I can't tell what she's thinking. She's leaning on the counter with furrowed eyebrows, contemplating something. 

"I care for him, I love him." I say, adding, "As a friend."

She shoots her head at me, "He's going to hate me, Olive street, 5160." 

I shake my head not believing what she's saying, "What's that?"

"His house." She sighs.

I run my hand through my hair before picking my car keys up and rushing out the door to my car.  I see my aunt rush out of the house and look at me.

I point at her in disappointment, "You, we'll talk later!" 

I speed off repeating the address in my head over and over again. My brain knows it's probably not best to rush there, to care so much. I want to see him, I need to. Everything moves in slow motion as I drive, what am I doing? I thought I'd never have to be doing this, to care for someone so much. He has changed me, it's quite strange. I trust him. 

When I pull in front of the house I take a deep breath and step out of my car. Pulling up my phone I click on his contact. 

Hey, I'm here - Me

What? - Ben

Outside - Me

The door opens and he steps out looking down. Why? He doesn't want to see me. How could I think he did? 

I turn to walk away before hearing a few steps.

"Em." I hear him call.

I turn to see him still looking at the ground. Now I'm worried. 

He takes a few deep breaths before sighing.

"Why don't you want to see me?" I question.

"I do." 

"Then why avoid me?" I ask feeling hurt. 

"I..."

"It's fine!" I turn.

"Emma!"

I turn back for the second time. My heart drops at the sight of his face. Bruises here and there with little cuts.

"Ben..." I Breathe.

He frowns as tears slip down his cheeks. I run to him and wrap my arms around him. He cries into my neck mumbling as he sobs.

"Ben, you..." I sigh letting it stay silent.

I pull away and bring him down to my car to sit. 

"Ben, why didn't you tell me?" I ask worried.

"I... I didn't want you to worry." He says.

I stare into his blue eyes, "I already do, you're my first friend, I've never cared about anyone."

He stares back, eyes softening, "I don't want to believe my dad..."

I place my hand in his, "I know." 

He frowns and closes his eyes while leaning his head back. I watch as he shakes, was he scared? It didn't seam that his dad was around.

"Ben, why couldn't you just come hang out?" I ask.

"I... I leave to see you." He says, "But when I get back... he's mad."

"Oh." is all I can say.

He did it for me? Why would he let his dad be mad and beat him just to see me? 

"I liked seeing you happy." He says.

I smile, "So what now?" I ask.

"I stay here and come see you when I can." He says nodding.

"No, you can't stay here." I say squeezing his hand.

"That's my dad." He says.

"He beats you." I says frowning.

He nods while sniffling, "I know... still." 

"If that's what you want." I say sighing.

"I like your hair." He says with a small smile.

"Thanks." I say, "I don't agree with you."

"You don't like your hair?" He asks.

I shake my head letting out a quiet laugh, "With your dad."

"I'll be fine, I've made it seventeen years." He says.

I lean back taking his hand and we sit in silence. This day has been a long one.