(Author's note: this chapter involves some sensitive topics, viewer discretion is advised.)

"You have got to be kidding me," Matt said. "Truth or dare is for like, nine year olds."

"Not when you play with me," Kris winked. I rolled my eyes. Greg raised an eyebrow, and Matt sighed.

"Fine. But at least make it interesting, will you?"

"No promises," Jacks giggled, "I'll start. Kris, truth or dare?"

"Dare," Kris grinned deviously.

"Alright, I dare you to go get a phone number from someone walking outside."

Just the thought of that made me hurt inside. Imagine having to go converse with a stranger. Even worse, for their number. I was definitely picking truth on my turn.

Kris winked, wiggled her eyebrows, and walked into the humid outdoors. We hurried over to the window, and waited. Soon, a girl walked past, and Kris stopped her. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but not two minutes later, she typed something into the girl's phone. Kris hugged her and ran up the steps and into the house.

"Here you are," she produced her own phone, with the girl's number. My jaw dropped. How did that come so easily to her?

"Good job," Jacqueline laughed, "your turn."

"Greg, truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"How much did that scarf cost?"

"Thirty-four dollars," Greg responded sheepishly. We all laughed.

"Matt, truth or dare?"

"Dare." Matt cracked his knuckles.

~One raw egg, a few spilled secrets, and some pasta later~

"Jacks, truth or dare?"

"I'll take a truth, Greg."

"What is your worst fear?"

"Oh." Jacqueline took a breath in.

"I'm sorry... I asked the wrong thing, didn't I?"

"Relax, it's okay... I think I'm just going to take a break."

"Okay..."

I was confused. Jacqueline made a beeline for her room, and Matt continued talking to Greg. Kris joined them, and I decided to make sure Jacks was okay.

"Jacqueline?" I knocked.

"Eddie?" I heard, her voice muffled.

"Yeah?"

"Can you tell everyone to head home?"

"Okay." I had no problems with that. I hurried toward the living room, and once everyone was gone, I slowly pressed Jacqueline's door open. She wasn't on her bed, I couldn't see her anywhere.

"In here," she called from the closet.

"Jacks," I began, "please, tell me what happened, or at least allow me to help you feel better."

"Eddie, there are some things in the world you just can't fix."

That hurt. It hurt my pride more than I'd like to admit, but it wasn't worth it to bring that up. Jacqueline was hurting. I needed to help her first.

I opened the closet door. There was mascara running down her cheeks, and her hair was let loose. Her lip trembled and she cried into a black pillow she had gotten out of the corner.

I walked over and sat down close to her. I leaned in, and held my arms out to her. She choked back tears, leaned in against me and her tears turned into full on sobs.

"It's okay," I said. "You can cry as much as you need to, get it out."

She held me close. It was a good feeling, but a terrible setting. Finally, she let go, and backed up a little.

"I'm sorry- I shouldn't have done that."

"Jacks, it's okay. Do you want to tell me what happened?"

"Eddie, what I'm about to tell you stays between us." I nodded, thankful that she trusted me with whatever it was.

"Matt and I have always had a, well, an interesting relationship. He would push me around, and at first I thought it was nice to have someone take charge. But he got more aggressive, and one day he had been out, his friends were drinking and he," she let loose a black mascara tear, " he tried to rape me, Eddie. My biggest fear came true."

I had no response to that. Anger boiled up inside me, he didn't deserve her, and if he ever tried to lay a finger on her again, I would do my absolute best to protect her, no matter what happened to myself.

"He had- well I mean, he still IS really touchy. he'll come up and try to hide the fact that he's touching my butt with a back hug, or he'll make faces at me when he thinks no one is looking. I ran from him, and when I tried to break up with him it only made him angrier. I locked myself in here until I felt it was safe to come out. Feeling unsafe in your own home is a terrible feeling, Eddie."

I nodded. "Tell me about it."

She gave me a confused look. What are you talking about?"

I then realized my mistake.

"Nothing, nothing. Sorry."

"Eddie. Please."

"Jacks..." I took in a deep breath. "I guess after that i owe it to you, don't I?"

I pulled up my jacket sleeve a tad. Jacqueline looked at my arm and gasped. Dark spots almost covered my left forearm.

"Are those..?"

"Burn marks," I stated.

"Eddie...."

"You know how I told you mom was always drunk? She never knew what she was doing. Holding a lighter up to my arm as a form of punishment. Hell, I probably deserved it too." I said bitterly.

"Eddie, you didn't. You never would have.." I could see more tears forming in Jacqueline's eyes, butI made a mistake. I was bitter and I snapped.

"I did, Jacqueline. If you'll excuse me I'm going to go."

"Where?" She asked softly.

"Somewhere else." I stormed out of the room and closed the door behind me.