I wish I didn't have to leave, but I did. All I wanted was to stay there, wrapped in his arms. But I had to go. He insisted on taking me home, but I refused, for one reason and one reason only. If my dad had found out that Mason made me happy, he would have killed him.

Once I arrived home, I saw my dad slobbed over in a puddle of beer on the couch. His long, uncut, dark brown hair was in his face, covering his eyes. I couldn't tell if he was awake, or passed out from the alcohol. His wife beater was stained up and unwashed. I knew I had to get to my room quickly. I walked passed him as quickly and quietly as I could, hoping to avoid his gaze and the "conversation" I knew we would have. But that didn't happen.

"Emberlynn! Get your dumb ass in here this instant and clean up this mess you little bitch!" He screamed out. "You think you could avoid me that easily?" He yelled again as I slowly walked out into the living room where he was standing, staggering towards me.

"B-but" I tried to speak but was interrupted by the heavy hands on my chest, shoving me hard against the wall. He had cornered me, and slammed his fist into my gut, feeling like I had been hit with a ton of bricks.

I fell to the ground, and without another word, I started to clean the broken glass and beer from the bottle he had thrown. A small whimper escaped my lips, and that was enough to set him off.

"Oh, so now you're whinin' like a little baby!" His words slurred as he finished, "Shut the fuck up and stop your crying!" He only made it worse. Tears escaped my eyes, and I sobbed louder, trying to hold it all in, but it was too hard to breathe.

I wept and cried, trying to stop myself, but then he grabbed ahold of my hair and yanked me up. He slammed me into the wall once more, as if I were just some stupid worthless rag doll. I fell back to the floor, clenching my chest gasping for air, only for a large work boot to meet my stomach, causing me to breath harder.

I stumbled up, limping back towards my room, but he yanked me back by my arm and I flung forward. His large hand raised, as my eyes clenched shut. I then felt his hand bruise my arm. I covered my mouth quickly to muffle the sudden cry of pain.

I could feel all of the tears running down my cheeks and dripping onto the floor. I knew what he was thinking. I knew what he was going to say. The cruelest thing he had ever said to me. The one thing that could shatter my heart in a matter of seconds. So I braced myself, braced myself for the worst blow of all.

"You know, this would have never happened if you hadn't run across that stupid fucking street! She would still be alive and you know it! It's all your fucking fault! That should have been YOU lying dead in the street!" He yelled louder than ever, as if I hadn't already known that it should have been me and not her. More tears flooded my eyes as I fell to my knees, holding them to my chest as he burst loudly out the door, getting into his car and leaving the driveway.

I finally had the strength to get up and go to my room. I slowly closed the door, locking it behind me. Then, I felt that familiar feeling in my gut. All of the pain had been building up inside of me. I slid down to the floor, as more tears ran down to my already tear stained shirt.

I quickly pulled my phone out of the box under my bed. I had hidden it because I had bought it with the money I had stolen from my dad's wallet. He was too drunk to notice the missing cash.

I quickly typed in the number that Mason had given me earlier and began to text him.

E: Hey.

M: What's up?

E: I want to see you.

M: Okay. I'll come over. I need your address.

E: No. We can meet at the park or something.

M: At least let me pick you up.

E: No. I'll walk, it's fine.

M: But I do have a car. It won't take 5 minutes to get there. Please just let me pick you up.

E: I said no! I'll meet you at the park where we were earlier today. I've gotta go. I'll see you there.

M: Okay. Stay safe.

E: I'll try.

I quickly slipped on a thin, blue, long sleeved shirt and some ripped up blue jeans. I slipped out the back window in my room quietly. I slowly shut it and ran down the back road. Where I knew I wouldn't be seen.

I finally made it to the park. I slowly walked up to the bench, where Mason had already been sitting. I sat down next to him, still not looking in his direction. Afraid he'd be able to read my mind like an open book. But that's when he pulled me closer and held me gently in his arms. I slowly began to let the tears slip from my eyes when he slightly pulled away, looking into my teary eyes.

"Em, what happened?" He asked pleadingly.

"Nothing. Just, well, I don't know." I said, getting quieter the more I spoke. I could tell he easily saw through my lies, but he didn't pick at it. He just pulled me back into his arms lovingly.

"It'll all be okay. I will always be right here, and you can tell me anything. You can trust me, okay?" He said, reassuringly.

"Mhmm." I replied, whimpering into his chest as he held me close to him, tears still running down my face, and now onto his clean shirt.

"Do you wanna go somewhere? We can go to my house if you want. Maybe watch a movie or something." He said kindly.

"I wish I could, but, I should, you know... get home. Maybe tomorrow after school or something." I quietly refused.

"Okay. Let me drive you home." He said, looking into my wet eyes.

"It's fine. I can walk. Please don't argue with me." I basically begged.

"But-" I cut him off. "I have to go." And I left.