WARNING: Sexism, domestic abuse, crying

Janus sighed and closed his book. He had intended to read out in what was left of the autumn sunshine but the dropping temperature was making it pretty impossible.

"I was nowhere near to finishing my book anyway." He thought, getting up. "I wonder if Rem's busy." He thought before pushing it away. His dad was already too close to finding out that he was still hanging out with Remus, he didn't want to risk it even further. He dusted off his jeans and set off, up to his house.

As soon as he got inside, he knew something was wrong. He could feel it in the air.

"Dad?" He asked.

"You disobeyed me." Peter's voice was low and dangerous. It sounded like how a wild animal looks when it's about to attack.

"Dis-Disobeyed you? I don't know-"

"Five missed calls, Janus. Five missed calls. All from a contact named Rem." Peter's voice was calm and controlled but it sounded like the calm before a storm. "Now, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out who 'Rem' is. So tell me, Janus, why? Why did you disobey me?"

Janus looked at his phone on the kitchen table. The screen was on and, yes, there were five missed calls. All from Remus.

"Because..." Janus' voice came out hoarse and nearly silent. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Because Remus is my friend. And... And..." He swallowed. "And you've got to let me live my own life someti-" He saw the hand coming this time. The sound of the slap echoed through the kitchen and Janus clapped a hand over his mouth to stop himself from crying out in pain.

"You will live the life I tell you to, Mister." Peter yelled. "And I want you to start by blocking that number."

"But dad-"

"Block it." He repeated. Janus thought about refusing to but then thought about the repercussions. His cheek was still burning and he didn't want to be slapped again. In silence, he took his phone and opened up settings on his contacts. He was about to press block when his finger stopped. He turned the phone screen off and put the phone in his pocket.

"Blocked." He muttered. He wasn't looking at his dad but he could feel him glaring at him.

"You know, maybe I shouldn't have given you such a girly name. That's where all this rebellion has stemmed from, isn't it?" Janus said nothing. "Girls are always more trouble than they're worth. And so are you, at the present time." Janus swallowed but still said nothing. "You're allowed to go." His dad said eventually. Janus walked, pushing down the desire to run, out of the kitchen and up to his room.

He sat on his bed and crossed his arms over his face, putting his head on his knees. Janus cried. He cried until his eyes were red and the skin around his left eye and all the scars down his face were itching and painful. He cried until his tears were all gone. Once he had finished crying, he felt his phone buzzing in his pocket. He took it out and, trying to keep his voice steady, answered.

"Hello?"

"Jan." It was Remus. Janus really shouldn't have been surprised. "Why weren't you picking up? Are you okay?"

Janus bit his lip. "Yeah." He lied. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just got lost in my book, that's all." He heard Remus laughing on the other end of the line.

"You're always lost in a book. Anyway, I wondered if you wanted to come over tonight? Roman's going to be out, the movie room'll be free. And mum's going to her meeting and dad's out with friends. We'd be alone. You don't have to come, obviously, if you don't want to just..." Remus trailed off. Janus didn't say anything. "Jan? Jan? You still there?"

"Yeah, sorry. Just thinking." Janus bit the inside of his lip. "I can't come tonight, Rem. I'm busy."

"Oh. Okay, that's fine. See you at school when half-term's over, yeah?"

"Yeah." Janus repeated. "Bye Rem."

"Bye Jan."

Wow, this is just getting better and better, huh? I'm thinking of ending the story soon so don't worry, you won't have to endure this much angst for much longer.
Bye,
Blaize