This time when I wake up in Elly's bed, she's still right there next to me. Her brown locks are in a cluster of tangles, but as soon as she wakes up I know she'll turn it into a masterpiece. She turns over in her sleep to face me; I guess it is true that people look more peaceful while sleeping. When she's awake, I can see the pain in her eyes, now she looks like she's never experienced a negative moment in her life.

Gray light forces its way into the room, dulling everything in its path, including my intensely pale skin. Not Elly though, her brown skin contrasts against the gray shockingly. Man, I could do this every day; wake up to this marvelous beauty. I don't even mind that she's turned me into a giant cornball.

I lay back down, intending of getting a few more hours next to Elly, but then I hear loud knocking downstairs. I get up quietly and throw on my clothes. I don't want to wake Elly up, if I don't get down there soon, the knocking will. It's more like banging now.

I open the front door to see Elly's aunt is standing there with four bags of groceries in her hands. I forgot, Elly did say she was coming with food.

"You gonna help with these?" She pushes past me and into the kitchen. There's a couple more bags on the porch, which I believe she wants me to get.

I meet her in the kitchen with the rest of the bags. "You're Declan, right?"

"Uh, yeah." I nod. She gives me a once over even though we've seen each other before.

"What happened to your face?" Her aunt asks while putting food in the pantry.

I shrug. "No big deal, Elly's ex is a bit hot-headed." I grab some of the refrigerated products and place them in the fridge.

"Darren hit you?" Jeez, she is quite the interrogator.

"Actually, uh-" I was going to address her, but I don't know her name.

"You can call me Jess." Jess smiles at me; her intense demeanor is making me uncomfortable though.

"Jess, Darren hit Elly."

Jess stops putting away food. "He did what? Why didn't anyone tell me? Is she okay?" Jess's eyes are wild, her fury is obvious. She reminds me more of Elly than her own mom does; they're practically twins.

"I'm fine. And I didn't call because I didn't want to make the situation any bigger." Elly stand in the entryway of the kitchen; bruises and all. Jess looks like she's going to cry when she sees her.

"Oh honey, c'mere," Jess says, but she goes over to Elly instead. She holds her in a tight embrace.

Elly pulls away from the hug. "I told you, I'm fine. Declan got it worse...he's got a hero complex." Elly smirks at me.

"Well, I'm glad you were here for her, even if it got you a beating." Jess smiles sadly. "I told you the guy was no good, Elly."

A shadow of sadness replaces Elly's smirk. "I know." She walks past her aunt and dogs into one of the bags. "Donuts! Awesome, thanks!" Elly stuffs a small powdered donut in her mouth, getting the powder everywhere.

"Nice," Jess laughs and I grin. She's so cute, especially with powdered donut all over her.

"Declaaan," Elly says, slowly moving over to me. She holds up her powdered hands.

"Elly, no." I back up, forgetting there is a table behind me. She's got me cornered. I try to grab her arms, but she moves them to quickly and slaps her hands right on my cheeks.

Jess and Elly find my powdered cheeks hilarious and are doubled over in laughter. I don't mind the powder and it gives me an excuse to get her back later. I decide to put the rest of the food away while Elly asks her aunt about how her and her cousins are doing. I'm not sure where everything goes, but I find a place regardless. Elly needs to socialize with more than just me. I even get a little crazy if I hang out with one person for too long and plus, I'm not that entertaining.

In the living room, they continue to chat away. I tune in and out of their conversation at times. Apparently, her cousin is going through a goth phase now. I'm so glad I never went through that phase. I also learned that Jess is single and she has gone on numerous failed dates; including a guy that showed up dressed as a baby. I guess he had some weird fetish.

"Oh crap," Jess says looking at her phone and springing off the couch. "I've gotta get to work."

"Bye, Aunt Jess!" Elly stands and gives her a hug goodbye.

"Bye honey. It was nice meeting you, Declan," Jess says while putting on her coat.

"It was nice to meet you too," I respond genuinely. She acts like more of a mom to Elly than her own and Elly seems happier around her.

"Next time if something happens, I want to be called. I'll see you guys at the end of the week." Jess waves and steps out, closing the door behind her.

As soon as the door closes, Elly jumps on my lap and kisses me. Her fingers thread through my hair and clench around it; slightly pulling. She does an expert job at getting me completely aroused and then stops.

"I wanna go to a party tonight! Can you find one?" Elly asks smiling; her head tilted to the side. A party? That was out of the blue.

"Okay. Let me text Rob." The mention of Rob makes Elly tense up for a split second and it makes me feel like shit. I should've done more that night; maybe even told Rob not to. I push those thoughts out of my head and shoot him a text. The only way I'm going to find a party for her is through him.

Elly leans forwards and nuzzles her head next to my neck. "I love you," She whispers into my ear.

"I love you too." I like how natural it is to tell her now.

"I'm sad, Declan." Elly hides her face in my neck.

I pull back so I can see her face. "Why?"

She looks at the ceiling. "My mom, Darren, and just general depression."

"Do you miss him?" I ask slowly.

Elly looks at me, but averts her eyes quickly. "Yeah, I think so."

I don't say anything because I know if I do, it will hurt her feelings. I finally thought I didn't have to have the threat of him hovering over me, but I guess getting beat by your boyfriend doesn't deter girls. I don't understand the opposite sex much, they confuse the hell out of me.

"Are you mad?" Elly returns her eyes to me.

"Not gonna lie, I'm not thrilled." I have to struggle to hold onto the angry words I have for Darren.

"I understand..." her face falls.

"Hey, it'll get better. I'll find you a party to have fun at, don't worry." I give Elly a big squeeze and kiss her cheek. My need for her is insatiable and it gets worse with every touch. How can people even be in love like this? I wonder if she feels the same?

There's not much to do for the rest of the day, Elly sleeps most of it away. During that time Rob texts me back with a few parties that are going on. I decide that the 'Just got out of jail' rager is the best. There's a guy Rob and I know who is always in and out of jail; he throws the best parties with kick-ass alcohol. He has a lot of friends, who always get what they want. We're lucky that we're on his good side because people who aren't, well, they end up regretting it.

I've met a lot of sketchy people since I started hanging around with Rob. That's the only way to get what you want around here; knowing the 'right' people. Even though we live in a small town, you'd be surprised at what you can find here and it also helps being surrounded by bigger towns.

Elly moans in her sleep and she frowns. I wonder what she's dreaming about? How is she even still sleeping? I thought she would want to go outside and enjoy the day; this is strange behavior for her, but maybe she hadn't gotten enough sleep when Darren was here. Even thinking about him makes me angry. I wish I was stronger; I want so much destroy him the way he did to Elly.

My phone begins to ring incessantly. I quietly and slowly slip away from Elly to answer it. The caller-ID says it's my mom.

"Mom?" I whisper in the other room; watching Elly cuddle up to a pillow in place of me. "Are you alright?"

"As good as I can be..." She sounds so...lost and sad. It's his fault, my shitty dad.

"How is Tuck?" My brother, Tuck, is in a separate building for middle school, so I don't see him at all.

"He's good, he's been behaving really well." In other words, he's steering clear from Dad and hasn't been beaten at all recently. My heart aches for my mother and brother who still suffer from my father's wrath.

"Well...What's up?" She usually doesn't call unless there's something to tell me.

"Your dad is away for a couple days. Tuck and I would love it if you came and had dinner with us tonight."

"I kinda already have plans with someone, Mom." I feel bad because I always go and spend time with my family when Dad is gone.

"Please, Declan? Your brother has so much he wants to tell you about and I just want to see your face again. You can bring Rob or Jonah with you," she says frantically.

"It's not Rob or Jonah. Her name is Elly."

I hear my mother gasp in excitement. "Is she your girlfriend?" I can practically see the grin she's wearing right now. I have date a couple of other girls, but it never lasted long and I never brought them home because of my father. He didn't care who was around, if he was in a bad mood, drunk, or both, everyone experienced his wrath.

"No...but I'm hoping she will be," I answer.

"Why don't you just ask her?" My mom chirps, talking about my love life is probably making her day.

"I can't...it's...it's complicated, Mom." Elly needs time before getting with me; she needs to mourn her relationship. I can't expect her to get in another so soon.

"Alright, Declan. I would be more than happy if you and Elly came over tonight," she whines, knowing I'll give in.

"I'll have to ask Elly first."

"Ask me what?" Elly strolls into the room all sleepy-eyed and beautiful; what a perfect human being.

"Um, my mother wants us to join her and my brother for dinner tonight."

A giant smile grows on Elly's face. "Of course! That would be so much fun. I'd love to meet your mom and brother!" Well, that's a relief; at least now everyone's happy.

"Okay Mom, we'll be there," I say cheerfully. It has been a while since I last saw them and that didn't end well.

"Oh, I can't wait! Dinner is in two hours, do you and Elly need a ride?"

"No, Elly has a car. See you later Mom."

My mom chirps a goodbye and hangs up. She's probably going to clean an already perfect house and go all out for dinner. She does that every time guests come to eat, even when it's just Rob. I put my phone away and notice that Elly is still smiling at me, it's cute, but also unnerving.

"What's got you all weird?" I narrow my eyes at her playfully.

"I'm so happy you're okay with me meeting your family! Oh my goodness, what should I wear?" Elly looks at me for an answer.

I shrug. "Clothes? Although none would be more pleasing."

"Ha, wow Declan, I forgot how funny you were," Elly says sarcastically. "But I'm serious, I don't have many nice clothes."

"Elly, you don't need to dress up. You look amazing in everything you wear."

Her gaze goes to her feet while she suppresses a smile. "Nuh, uh."

"Yes huh, dork." Elly looks absolutely adorable standing there bashfully. I kiss her on the cheek. "So, beautiful," I sigh.

Elly returns the kiss on my nose. "You're beautiful too, Declan."

Now it's my turn to be bashful as my cheeks heat up. "Uh...thanks." I quickly change the subject before I make a fool of myself. "Do you mind if I take a shower?"

"No, go ahead. Towels are in the sink cupboard. I'm gonna go get ready too; mostly root through my closet for something decent to wear." Elly turns and jogs upstairs.

I walk into the bathroom and my mind brings forward images of Elly on the floor overdosing. I close my eye and push it out of my head; she's alive and that's all that matters now. I turn on the shower and wait for it to get warm. I can hear Elly upstairs cursing about her clothes. My mother won't care what Elly's wearing, she's just gonna be glad I brought a girl home.

I get in the shower and the water feels amazing on my skin. The steam from the burning hot water rises and gets sucked up by the bathroom vent. I like the water hot, I don't feel truly clean unless the water is like this. My eyes close as I take in the soothing heat and when I open them, Elly is right in front of me. I cover myself instinctively.

Elly smirks. "What? I need to take a shower too and we have to conserve the propane so this is best. Can you wash my back?"

Elly turns around and I'm still standing there, covering myself. Elly peeks at me over her shoulder. "Oh, come one. It's nothing I haven't seen. My soap and scrubbie are the shelf behind you." Elly looks forward again. I slowly uncover myself and wash her back.

After the very awkward shower, we're both dressed and ready to go. Well, I thought we were ready, but Elly just ran back into the bathroom to fix her hair. I walk back and forth while waiting and see that Elly's phone is still where Darren threw it. I pick it up and the screen lights up with a bunch of notifications. There are a few messages from Darren on there. Some are him begging for forgiveness and others aren't so nice.

"Is that my phone," Elly comes over and takes it from me. "I'm glad you found it and really surprised it isn't broken."

"There are messages from Darren on there. I didn't snoop; they were on the front screen," I tell her.

"That's nothing new. There are always messages from him." Elly drops her phone in her purse, not bothering to look at the messages.

"You're not going to answer him?" Not that I want her to, I'm just curious.

"Not now, maybe not ever. He's irrelevant in my life and I'd rather not get upset before I meet your family."

"Okay." She makes a good point and I'd rather her not be upset.

Elly takes my directions as we make our way to my house. We turn on to the street where my house is and I see the familiar homes towering over us on each side. Elly makes a face and glances my way.

"You live on this street?" Elly gawks at the giant houses we pass, it's pretty entertaining.

"Yup." I point to a driveway that leads to a large brick house. "Turn in this driveway."

We park and I lead Elly up to the front door. Elly is looking around in awe with her mouth open. My mom must have been waiting for us because as soon as we reach the door it flies open. She stands there in her usual sundress, she wears them year-round, and a new haircut. The brown curls that I inherited from her are gone and a pixie cut has taken their place.

She yanks me into her arms. "My baby boy! I'm so happy to see you. What happened to you guys?" She grabs my chin and assesses my face.

I pull back ignoring her question, I know she won't pry. "Hey Mom." I gesture over to Elly. "This is Elly Jacobs."

My mom smiles welcomingly. "Hello Elly." She shakes Elly's hand. "I'm Mrs. Wayson."

"Hello," Elly says, looking shy.

"We should head inside, dinner is almost ready." I can tell my mom is nervous, she's speaking quickly and her eyes are darting around. The same thing she does when my dad is angry. She ushers us in in front of her and I hang back next to her. Elly continues forward; looking around.

"Mom, don't be nervous. Elly is going to love you, she's a very sweet person." I give her one of my best smiles to soothe her and it does the trick. I hate that my dad made her this way, he's like an older Darren.

"Thank you, hun," she says, ruffling my hair in the process. Then she walks away, more confident and shows Elly into the kitchen.

"Wooow, this kitchen is huge and it's so beautiful," Elly says enviously. "Declan, I had no idea you lived in a house like this."

"It isn't that nice..." I lie. I don't know why, but I feel embarrassed.

Elly shoots me daggers. "Don't even; this place makes my house look like a landfill, which it kind of is anyway. Nothing beautiful about that place."

My mom chimes in. "I'm glad you like it. Dan and I spent a year making sure it was built perfectly. I was pregnant for Declan then..." My mom trails off. Those were the days when my dad was a real man and would never think of hitting her. She used to tell us stories so that I wouldn't completely hate him. One day I got so mad and told her to stop living in her memories because Dad will never be that guy again. She never told us another story after that.

"Big, fat, ugly Declan. She was ashamed when she gave birth to him and all the nurses were terrified." A deep, gruff voice says. My brother walks in the kitchen smirking deviously.

"Tuck, holy crap! Did you hit puberty while I was gone?" He's at least four inches taller and his voice is no longer girly. He's buff too, I realize as he crushes me in a hug.

"I might have." He winks. "Who's this?" Tuck nods his head at Elly.

"I'm Elly. Nice to meet you, Tuck."

Tuck very noticeably checks her out. "You're hot!"

"Tuck!" My mom and I say at the same time, except she hits him with a pot holder while doing so. He might have hit puberty, but he's still immature.

"Apologize!" Our mother demands.

Tuck rolls his eyes. "Sorry Elly."

Elly laughs. "It's alright. You weren't telling me anything I didn't know."

We all laugh. "I like her!" Tuck announces.

When the laughter dies down, my mom hands me a stack of plates and silverware. "Go set the table. Tuck, come and get some cups and I'll be right behind with the main course."

Elly comes with me to the dinner room and stops in her tracks. "Holy mother of..."

She's staring at the table in front of her. Like I predicted my mother went overboard, but it's nothing new to me so I continue with setting the table.

"There's so much food! Macaroni! Salad! Is that fish too?" Elly circles the table naming all the food that's there. She meets me in the middle. "How are we going to eat all of this?"

"We won't," I say, putting the utensils down. "My mom will box up the leftovers and bring it to the shelters and soup kitchens."

"That's incredible!"

Tuck joins us. "Yeah our mother is one incredible person." He shoots me a look, but I'm not sure what he means by it. I'll have to wait until after dinner to ask because our mom comes in carrying a giant pot roast. It's dinner time.