□ Harry Anderson □
~~~~~~~~~~
□ Dances and Fights □

"You know the rules," snarled Noah in my ear. I bite my tongue because I'm too frightened to reply. "You don't talk to anyone without my permission. You don't look at anyone without my permission. You don't leave the table without my permission," he hisses. He grips my wrist tightly, applying pressure to a recent scar. It wasn't from him.

I used a pocket knife to slit my wrist, but I only did it once. It didn't hurt as bad as when Noah cut me, but the pain reminded me that I'm human. I wrapped it in a bandage after I cleaned it up. Noah beat me senseless that night, spat insults at me for harming myself. He called me a "selfish ice freak".

We walk to The Dance Palace at 6:15 p.m., and it's about a ten minute walk there from our house. I stay quiet, trying not to cry. I don't want to be in this relationship anymore. But I know I won't be safe unless I'm with Noah. God, what's wrong with me?

This is all my fault. If I had never gotten so excited at that pool party, I would never have revealed my powers. But I couldn't help it. I couldn't control my emotions at that age. How was I supposed to know what was going to happen when I got older?

If I had known, I would never have met Noah. I would have avoided falling in love with him. I would never have kissed him. I'd do it all over again if I could. I can never fix my mistake of meeting Noah Edward Carter.

This is my fault. I'm just a freak who doesn't deserve this man. I don't deserve happiness. Dr. Heart may have told me to make my own, but how am I supposed to do that if I'm stuck in a situation where I have to be submissive? I have no choice anymore.

That's my reality: I have no choice. I never got a say in anything. My parents locked me up without consulting me. Noah kissed me without asking me for consent. I'm tired of being treated like an object, like something less than human.

Noah sips a glass of whiskey while I stir my water. Reginald and Dr. Heart drink iced tea with a lemon slice. The music is too loud. Nobody else minds; they dance like there's no tomorrow. Nobody at our table talks because we're not sure of what to say.

A song that Reginald knows begins to play. He drums his fingers on the table, keeping up with the beat. He stands up and asks, "Harry, do you wanna dance?" I look at Noah for permission, but he's heading towards the bar. He meets a man there, who smiles and kisses his cheek.

Noah puts his hand in the small of the man's back, kissing him on the mouth. I think I see tongue. I look away from Noah's infidelity and stand up. Reginald and I head out onto the dance floor. He places his hands around me, and he leads me through his routine.

It begins with a waltz, then extends to an East Coast Swing. Reginald is quite graceful, which is surprising. I lift him up and spin him around as the song reaches the bridge. I gaze into his electric blue eyes and blush. I've had feelings for him for a while—ever since we met—but it's only been romantic.

It'll always be romantic, never sexual. After Noah got intimate with me, it's ruined any sexual attraction I could ever have for any man. Reginald is different, that's for sure. As the song ends, Reginald and I end the routine with me dipping him. He leans in and inquires, "May I kiss you? Seeing as how your boyfriend's a pig."

I say, "Yes." Reginald places his lips on mine and kisses me. I kiss him back. Everyone on the dance floor claps, having stopped to watch us. Noah storms up to us and rips me out of Reginald's arms.

"Get the Hell off of my boyfriend!" Noah shouts as he throws me aside. I fall onto the floor, and Reginald lands on the floor as well. Noah has a look of rage in his face. Reginald has an expression of disgust. I've never seen this on his face.

"That's rich, coming from a man who kissed another man at the bar while on a date with his boyfriend," snaps Reginald. Noah turns red and tries to kick Reginald's calf. Reginald begins to crawl away before he gets the full impact. I'm frozen in terror. This is like nothing I've ever felt before.

Steve tries to calm both men down before a brawl begins. Everyone around us is running and screaming, heading towards the exits. I'm still in my place, my breathing growing more labored by the minute. Memories flood my senses like waves on the sand. I remember that pool party, when I revealed my magic….

Children were yelling and crying as others swam to get out of the pool. The frost was slowly creeping over the surface, avoiding the children. My happiness had deflated quickly, and the same fear I feel now filled my chest. I knew what they were thinking of me, what they called me. Tears sting my eyes as they slide down my cheeks.

I'm not going to sit idly by while these two fight like animals! I'm not helpless anymore! I can protect myself! I certainly don't need anyone else to do it for me! I'll help myself!

"Stop," I whisper. Reginald is standing up. Dr. Heart has been pushed to the floor like I was. He backs away from the fight, trying to protect himself. "Stop," I mumble.

Noah approaches Reginald, a sneer on his face. Reginald is prepared to fight. "Stop," I say. They don't listen to me. I have to make them listen.

Frost appears underneath my feet as I stand up. I create ice spikes to separate Reginald Hill and Noah Carter from each other. "Stop!" I shout as they jump back. Steve looks at me in shock. He'd never seen me use my ability before.

Anger fills my veins. Four years worth of fear and abuse finally ends now. "Stop," I repeat myself, my tone harsh. Noah is looking at me like he's never seen me before. Reginald is stunned; I had never told him about my powers.

"I am tired of this. I don't like the fighting. This is why I preferred being alone," I say as calmly as I can. "I am sick and tired of being beaten every day," I snap at Noah. I turn onto Reginald next and say, "I don't want to be with someone I barely know." I face Dr. Heart and yell, "I don't want to be told that I have to make my own happiness because I can't!" Everything is just pouring out now.

"I am fed up with this life of mine!" I sob. "I am done with the abuse and insults. I don't want to stay hidden anymore. I will be myself again. I want to be human again," I shout. "And under no circumstances will I let you three stop me," I say with finality. I run out of the building and bolt down the street. The sobs rack my body as I continue running.

I've never felt more free until today. I'm not sure where I'm going, but anywhere is better than Noah's house. Somehow, I end up outside Dr. Heart's house. I turn around and run back the other way. Where am I going?

I sit down underneath a tree, curling up into a tight ball. I allow myself to break at last. This only reminds me that I'm human. To be honest, I need the reminder. Maybe I can heal myself.

I hope you all enjoyed chapter seven. If you have any questions, ask me in the comments, on my message board, or over PMs.