"In the life I live, I've realized in order to go up, I had to see rock bottom. And rock bottom, I have met. I know that I have always been close to scraping my knees across the bottom and it wasn't a comfortable place to be, but I got used to it. I dealt with it and it made me stronger. It made me understand what I wanted and didn't want in my life after all of this, and I have accepted it for all it's worth, because of that.

I know that I never should have had to live the way I did. No one should. But knowing it's all over now gives me hope that my future will be brighter. There's a light at the end of the tunnel that wasn't there before, and the answers are written in the stars above me, asking me to follow them out of the darkness.

You see, my father is a monster. Not the kind that lives under your bed or lives in the closet and creeps out at night to scare you in the dark. He's a much scarier monster than that. One that can look you in the eyes and make you feel like you can trust him and then shatter that trust in seconds just with his hands.

I've just spent a week in the hospital because of this monster. An entire week too long, not just nursing my wounds, but getting therapy. And all it has made me realize is that physical pain goes away, the bruises fade, and on the outside it's possible to look like nothing happened after time has passed. But as time heals wounds on the outside, it doesn't heal what's broken on the inside as quickly. I want to believe that one day I'll be okay, but for now I sit at rock bottom.

The bruises have faded, the pain has passed, but my soul is still aching. My heart is still shattered, begging for me to put it back together. And I am, without a doubt, ready to do that. Because there is possibly no better feeling than being free in my life after being a prisoner in my own skin; that much I know is certain.

Girl_Disconnected"

A week in the hospital is far too long. Too much time to think. And as much as I didn't want to be alone in that room, I didn't want to talk to anyone. Kate and Carter came every day to visit me, and as the days passed, the easier it was to talk to them. And despite the fact I told Harry I didn't need him to bring me anything, when I woke up from a nap that day, my phone was plugged into the wall sitting on my nightstand next to flowers he had gotten me. His card read: To my Sweet Girl, you will smile again soon, I promise. Keep your chin up. Yours Always, H.xx PS: I still think you're pretty.

It was the sweetest of gestures and it made me smile, even if it was just a small one. He didn't need to tell me that I'd smile again soon, because I knew I would. I knew I just needed to get passed all of this first. Because the hard part was over.

And even though I had my phone, I didn't reply to any of the messages Boy_Undiscovered had sent to me. He had apologized a dozen times for thinking my rendition of fun meant something other than actual fun and thought that's why I wouldn't talk to him. When in reality, I wasn't mad at that anymore. I wasn't mad at him at all. I just needed time, because this week was hard and I needed to find my bearings again.

Carter insisted on picking me up and bringing me home when I got released yesterday evening, and walking into my house wasn't what I was expecting. I'm not sure exactly what I thought it would be like, but the outcome seemed to have surprised me for some reason. The floors were mopped and swept, the curtains pulled open and tied back neatly and nothing was out of place. It smelled like pomegranate and vanilla and I instantly knew that Anne had been here.

It made me smile to remember how lovely she is. That despite everything, she would do whatever she could to make sure I was comfortable and happy. That once again, she could show me that even though I'm not her own daughter, she wanted to remind me that I am loved no matter what, just like she always had.

"It's different," I said to Carter, who was stood in the doorway leaning against the frame.

"I hope it's alright that Harry's mom—"

"It's okay."

"She came to my house wanting answers," he explained. "She understood why you wouldn't want her to go to the hospital, but needed to do something for you. I gave her my keys."

"It's fine, Carter."

We stood in silence and stared at each other from across the room. It was a comfortable silence. One that reminded me, as always, that I couldn't ask for a better friend than him, and I am so lucky to have him. I had basically ran across the room into his arms, thanking him for all he has done for me, and even though he's been through every step of the way with me, he couldn't possibly come close to understanding how hard it is going to be without him.

And since he left, I've been sitting in my room, which actually feels like home for the first time in a long time. It's obvious that Harry had been here with Anne, new twinkle lights strung above my bed along with new throw pillows and pictures in frames from prom night. And I feel happy, like everything in my life will come together just as it was supposed to somehow.

Boy_Undiscovered:
Oh my God, are you alright? Please talk to me. I just read your blog post.

Boy_Undiscovered:
I know you're there. Please tell me you're okay.

Girl_Disconnected:
I'm fine. And I'm sorry I left you hanging. I'm not mad at you anymore and I'm sorry I made you think I was.

Boy_Undiscovered:
That's okay. I'm just glad you're alright. You can talk to me about all you just went through if you want. I understand it. I've been there. Do you still want to meet me?

Girl_Disconnected:
Of course I still want to meet you.  I don't really feel like talking about everything right now though, I'm sorry.

Boy_Undiscovered:
Understandable. Just know I'm here if you do want to talk.

Girl_Disconnected:
Thank you. I need to go and do something though, I will message you later if that's alright.

Boy_Undiscovered:
No problem. I'm happy you're okay, and I've missed talking to you. I'll be waiting for you, like always. xx

Writing that small blog post made me feel good. I had been more honest than I feel like I ever had before. There was no beating around the bush or saying things that I felt like only I would completely understand. It was raw. And it felt good to actually just write it the way it is. And even though I know that I could sit here all day and talk to Boy_Undiscovered and talk openly about what I went through, and it would feel just as good as writing it in my blog, at the moment, I have the sudden urge to go and see Anne.

Before going anywhere, I straighten my hair and do my makeup, hiding the faded purple and blueish skin behind cover up and throw on a tank top and jeans. Halfway down the ladder from my bedroom, I realize I could have used the back door now that this house is unoccupied by monsters. Clearly old habits die hard.

The second I ring the door bell, Anne opens the door and engulfs me into a tight hug as if she had been waiting for me to show up. Her grip around me doesn't let up for a lot longer than I anticipated, her body shaking as she quietly cries.

"Oh, sweetness," she coos, finally letting me go, holding onto my shoulders and looking at me, her face wet with tears. "I'm so happy you're back and you're home and you're alright, love. You're looking alright, I think."

We smile at each other, as I'm suddenly speechless. I feel almost relieved to be back in her presence, understanding how much I missed her, getting a dose of how much love is inside of her just from her embrace.

"Please come in," she says, pulling me into the house. "I've missed you immensely. Have a seat, make yourself at home on the couch, I'll make you a coffee, just how you like it."

"Thanks," I mutter, as she happily scampers through the dining room to the kitchen.

Although it wasn't long ago that I was last in this house, it feels like ages. It feels as if so much has happened since then and I am a different person now, even though I know I'm not. The room is still the same cozy place, clean and full of love. The only difference is a few new pictures on the mantle of the fireplace, which makes me move from the couch to look at them closer.

Different pictures than the ones they put in my room, from prom, are now placed nicely into black frames, showing Harry and I at a time that proves how happy we once were together. It's clear on our faces the love we shared for each other. Our smiles more than real, and how we look at each other with such adoration, how he looks at me like I'm the only thing that matters to him.

It makes me wonder if I'm being stupid for shutting him out as much as I have. He has tried to be there for me, he has shown how sorry he is for what he's done to make me hurt so much and I know deep down that what happened with Maddy was a mistake. It was a drunken mistake and he didn't actually mean for it to happen. He isn't that fuck boy we all thought he was and he never will be.

"You looked so beautiful that night," Anne says from behind me, making me slightly jump and turn to look at her. "You both did." She hands me my coffee and I instantly take a sip, enthralling myself in the warmth of the liquid as it goes down, before we both move back across the room to sit on the couch. "So, tell me, dear, when did you get home? How are you doing? Is there anything you need?"

I smile at her, exhaling a small laugh at her so many questions, knowing she probably has tons more. "I'm fine," I tell her. "I got home yesterday evening and my dad is in prison now for a while, so you don't need to worry about anything. And no, there's nothing I need right now, thank you though."

"Have you talked to Harry?" she asks, eyeing me.

"No," I answer, taking another sip of my coffee. "And I just came here to see you. I wanted to thank you for what you did to my house and my room. You really didn't need to clean it or buy new stuff for me."

"Of course I did," she interjects. "And I'm glad I did. The last thing I wanted was for you to come home to blood on the wall and the house a mess. I wasn't going to let you see evidence of what he put you through at a time you should be celebrating a homecoming. I wanted you to feel at home knowing you won't be coming to live here now."

"Well, thank you," I murmur.

"You're so strong," she says, sympathetically, gripping onto my knee. "I hope you know what you did is so bold and I am so proud of you for it. I know it's not easy and what you've done was the right thing. Never forget that."

"I won't."

"Have you talked to your mom?"

"No."

"You should call her and tell her the news."

It's a strange feeling, realizing I had decided to come over here instead of get a hold of my own mother. I hadn't even thought of calling her until now. And as much as I would like to see how she is, tell her how happy I am that despite it having to come down to what happened, Dad is where he should have been all along. 

But I'm sure someone has gotten a hold of her to tell her already. I'm sure she'll call me to see how I am. Maybe I'll wait and see if she does. I'm certain she'll say things just like Anne did—that she's proud of me.

"I'll call her later," I lie.

"I just want you to know that you're not alone," she tells me. "Robin and I, and of course Harry, are always here for you. Harry and I have been through—"

We're interrupted by the screen door opening to the back deck as Harry walks in. We both turn to look at him, and he stops in the doorway with wide eyes as he stares back at me. "Jayde?" he finally speaks. "You're home?"

I stand from my place on the couch in acknowledgement to his presence, but in behind him, to my surprise, Maddy pushes passed him into the house, leaving me frozen on the spot. "Jayde!" she spouts energetically—too energetically. "Oh my God, you're okay! Thank God!"

My wide eyes veer between Harry and her, and even more so than the second I saw she was with him, I'm in more shock. She knows about me? "You told her?" I ask, finally finding my voice and furrowing my brows.

Anne pulls me back down to sit on the couch, gripping onto my hand as Harry and Maddy walk into the living room. My heart is pounding and I feel like my blood pressure has risen enough for me to explode this very second, the steam is probably coming out of my ears. How could he do this? How could he tell Maddy of all people? What is she even doing here?

"I had to know why you didn't show up to Graduation and where you've been the past week," Maddy answers for him. "You know me—Nosy as hell. Don't be mad at him."

I shake my head, standing back up, holding everything in. I have so many things I wish I could say, so many choice words. Instead, I stay silent, baffled with this whole situation. But I remind myself that Harry isn't mine anymore and he can hang out with whoever he wants, even if it is Maddy. Even if after trying to prove to me that she was just a drunken mistake and I was so very close to forgiving him.

How stupid am I?

"Anyways, Anne," I say, turning to her. "Thank you so much for everything. It's nice to feel like someone still loves me, especially during the hard times." I lean down to hug her quickly, wanting to get out of here as fast as possible. "Email me my work schedule, please."

"You can start up again next week, love," she says, as I walk to the front door.

"Don't go, Jayde," Harry pleads. "Please stay. Maddy was just leaving. Don't go, we need to talk."

I don't turn around to look at him as I keep my hand grasped around the door knob. I let out a long breath and close my eyes. I already know that I'm not going to stay and I want my feet to move, and I don't want to cry. I've been an emotional wreck for far too long, crying comes too easy these days.

Without turning around, I finally open the door and slam it behind me, running to get as far away from here as quickly as possible. I don't know what to think or how to feel. Once again, I just feel lost.

I stop to sit on a rock at the edge of the woods and The Clearing, taking my phone out of my back pocket.

Girl_Disconnected:
I think it's time that we meet. No more waiting.

A/N: It feels so good to be back writing and I'm hoping you are still enjoying the book!

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