Hello Readers! I'm just gonna start off by saying if you read this story without reading the first one, NOTHING will make sense! It is a sequel to "Fake Smiles and Cut Wrists" and you can find it on my profile. So there's some information you'll nee...
Chandler was sitting in the bathroom floor at his parents' house, holding a blade. He knew realistically that it wouldn't fix anything, but that didn't stop him from painting a few red lines on each of his wrists.
He had just survived another assault. He knew it was gonna get harder and harder to hide.
Chandler's body shook with silent sobs. He tried so hard not to cry but he couldn't keep doing this anymore.
'Keith will never hurt you again, I promise.' Andy had told him once. Well where was Andy now?
But he can't blame Andy. This isn't any one else's fault. But why can't someone just figure it out? He can't say anything in order to keep everyone safe but if they figure it out he wouldn't have said a word about it.
His phone keeps ringing but he can't find the energy to care.
He's broken beyond repair. And he feels so dirty.
After the seventh ring, he decided it must be important. He wiped his face and looked at his phone, it was Andy. He answered it.
'Hello? Hey Chandler, Laura and Zay are here, a girl named Jamie too. They wanna know if you can meet with them for this project that's due on Monday—Chandler?' Andy sounded worried over the phone.
Chandler sniffed. "Uh yeah. I'll be right over there when my mom and dad get home. Dad gets home at 10:30 am and my mom ran to the grocery store." He said in the most carefree tone he could muster.
It wasn't convincing. His voice was more than hoarse from all the screaming and crying he'd done in the last 12 hours.
'You alright? You sound like you have a cold or something..." Andy asked.
"No I'm fine, just a sore throat. I'll be over there soon." He hung up before Andy could say anything else.
Chandler slowly got up. When he examined himself in the mirror, he was thankful to see that there weren't any new marks on his face or neck.
So there's nothing that will draw any immediate attention. But his eyes were red and puffy and it hurt to walk. He had about 30 minutes before his dad got home, and his mom could be back any minute.
He could blame his eyes on weed? No, that'll disappoint Andy. How was he supposed to live like this?
How does Keith expect him to keep this secret? His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
What was he gonna tell his mom?
He opened the door, ready to spew out any lie on the spot explaining why he'd been crying. It wasn't his mother though, it was Jamie.
"Jamie? What are you doing here?" His voice was raspy. "Andy sent me. He said you didn't sound too good on the phone. Are you okay?" She asked, concerned.
"Y-Yeah I'm fine." Chandler said, mentally cursing himself for that stupid stutter that gives him away every time.
"Chandler what happened?" Jamie asked, walking into the house. Chandler had no idea what to say, he didn't have enough time to come up with anything.
"I..." He started. "I uh got into a fight last night." He blurted out.
"What really happened?" She deadpanned. He rolled his eyes, putting on the annoyed facade. In reality, it warmed his cold heart to know that at least someone cared enough to notice.
"I don't have to prove anything to you." He shrugged and sat on the couch, wincing as he did.
"Who was it?" Jamie challenged, crossing her arms.
"W-what?" Chandler asked.
"Who'd you get into a fight with?" She asked again. This was too much. He sighed heavily and looked down.
"Just tell me the truth, Chandler." Jamie said, sitting beside him.
"I-If I tell you...people will get hurt." Chandler said.
Jamie shook her head. "Who told you that?" She asked. Chandler sighed again, hopelessly. He wanted to tell her so bad, just so someone knew. But how could he? When his mother and sister and...friend were at stake?
"Listen, Chandler. You've been through enough to know that bad people will tell you anything to keep your mouth shut." Jamie reasoned.
"He's not afraid to hurt them, Jamie." Chandler argued.
"He isn't gonna know if you tell. How would he?" She asked. Chandler realizes that that's probably true, but he's not sure if he wants to take that risk.
Jamie sighed. "Chandler whatever he's doing isn't gonna stop until you tell someone. You have to stop giving him the control. Don't you want this to end?" She reasoned.
Chandler took a shaky breath. "You can't tell anyone. Please don't tell anyone." He said quietly.
"I won't. And I'll stay with you when you tell Andy." She promised. Chandler shook his head and sighed. There really wasn't any backing out of this now.
"I-I've been doing things...really really bad things that I don't wanna do. I swear I didn't want to, Jamie." Chandler's voice broke. Jamie grabbed his hand.
"I believe you, Chandler." She said.
Laura's POV
"It's been almost an hour. I'm calling her." I say as I pull my phone out. Jamie went to get Chandler so we can work on this project and still isn't back.
When she picks up she sounds devastated.
"What's going on Jamie? He's not dead is he?" I ask, half joking.
"No, he isn't. But uh...we need to call it a day. We can work more on the project tomorrow." She says over the phone. Is she serious?
"Jamie we've barely worked on it. And it's due Monday." I sigh.
"Just trust me on this. We'll get it done. I need you to send Andy over here immediately and you guys to go home." She said.
"Why?" I ask. She was starting to worry me.
"Laura please." She asked again. I sighed, she clearly doesn't want anyone knowing what she knows.
"Fine, okay. See you tomorrow." I hang up. Zay gives me a questioning look.
"She wants us to go home. And send Andy over there. I don't know why." I tell him. He looks just as confused as me. I shrug and start packing up my book bag.
"I'll tell Andy." Zay says and hurries off to find him.
A/N: hm. Okay.
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