I woke up with a start. Groaning as I tried to move I realised the pain I was in. It seemed like I hurt all over. My eyes felt heavy as I tried to open them and I sighed. I could faintly hear voices but I was still tired so I didn't bother trying to figure out who it was. When I woke up again, I was fully awake.

The room I was in had bright lights and I fought to open my tired eyes as the light hit me. I looked around. Hospital. The room was freezing. At the end of the bed, Rianne was standing up arguing with Michael.

"She almost died because of you!"

"I don't want to hear it, Rianne."

"You could've killed her!"

"I said I don't want to hear it!" He yelled, silencing her. She shook her head furiously.

"You've really done it this time, dad. Honestly. I hope you're happy with yourself." She grabbed her bag and left the room, slamming the door behind her.

He looked at mum, who was very upset.

"You took it way too far, way too far." She glared at him, wiping her tears.

"Yeah well you didn't stop me." he retaliated.

"You shouldn't have pushed her."

"Well, I did. Get over it."

"How am I meant to? We're meant to protect her and instead you hurt her."

"You've never said anything about it before, why now?"

"Look at where we are! You've put her in the hospital."

"Okay."

"You pushed her out of a two storey window, Michael!" She stood up.

"You ignore her all the time."

"That's nothing compared to what you do."

"Stop arguing." I spoke, my voice raspy and quiet. Mum looked at me and her shoulders slumped as she walked over to me.

"Did we wake you up?" She asked. I kissed my teeth and shook my head. I noticed my arm in a cast and sling and frowned.

"Yeah. You broke your arm when you hit the ground." She sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Thanks to you guys." I whispered.

"What are you talking about? We didn't do anything wrong." Dad replied.

"You pushed me." I glared at him.

"No. You fell." He stared back. I was taken aback.

"You pushed me."

"You were trying to close the window and you fell."

"What, that's the story you want me to tell? Not gonna happen." I closed my eyes.

"That is what you will say if you are asked."

"No. You are unbelievable."

"Riah, I swear, I will end you if you do not go through with this." He pointed a finger at me.

He was absolutely insane. I wanted nothing to do with him, I knew he would never change and I didn't want to be around him. Or my mum. They didn't care about me anymore. My dad didn't see me as his daughter, I was there only to take the abuse. Maybe so mum wouldn't have to. He was angry at something, frustrated with someone and it might not have been me but it was always me he released this anger onto. I didn't want to be that for him anymore. I deserved better than that.

A lump formed in my throat so quick.

"Get out." I covered my eyes with my free arm. I couldn't stop myself from crying this time.

"Pardon me?" I knew he was staring at me. I removed my arm and glared at him.

"Get the fuck out. I swear you ruin everything." I cried. I tried to sit up and heaved in a large breathe of air which made the pain more intense.

"Don't. Your ribs are bruised." Mum informed me. A fresh batch of tears were expelled from my eyes.

"I hate you. You're not my dad. Please just go." I wiped my eyes, staring at him. His face softened slightly and he picked up his keys.

"Don't forget what I said." He nodded. He left the room, closing the door slowly. He watched me through the glass in the door before walking away.

"Riah-"

"Please don't try to talk to me right now. I don't have anything to say to you." There was silence for a moment as she appeared to be thinking.

"Your dad wanted me to give you this." She took my phone out of her bag.

"Gee, thanks." I took it from her and threw it beside me.

"I'm sorry."

"No you're not." I shut her down. Now she wanted to apologise?

"Ray." she sighed.

"My name's Riah." my tone was cold. She stood up.

"Look, I'm still your mother-"

"Are you?" I was genuinely surprised.

"When did you decide that? As far as I'm concerned I don't have a bloody mum." I asserted. She looked at me, taken aback.

"My mum wouldn't allow this shit to happen. She wouldn't ignore it or try to cover it up. She would have stopped it or gotten help or did something! She wouldn't have sat there and let it happen, she wouldn't watch the man who is supposed to be my father batter me and then act like he didn't. My mum would not ignore me when I ask her to help me, when she sees I'm in pain, when she sees what someone is doing to her child. No, no way. My mum would have my back no matter what! Do you understand what a mum is now?" she had infuriated me beyond belief. It didn't matter what she did from here on out, nothing could ever make up for what she did or allowed to happen. That wasn't what a mum did.

I was both angry and upset, tears streaming down my face, shouting at her like my life depended on it. I told her to leave, to get out and leave me alone. She actually did, I guess she just couldn't hack all of my crying but I was really hurt.

I was released from the hospital two days later. In those two days, my parents didn't come back to see me. When the doctor and nurses came and asked me what had happened, I simply replied that I didn't remember.

I was picked up by Rob, Kieran's dad. Apparently my dad was stuck at work and so was mum so he came to get me instead.

I actually missed Rob so much. As you know, Rob was basically my second dad although I loved him much more than my real dad. Now I didn't love my dad at all. I even called Rob 'dad', he meant so much to me. I smiled when I saw him. He enveloped me in a bear hug. We spoke briefly as he helped me to get dressed and pack up some things. We left after the doctor came and spoke to us about physical therapy once I got the cast removed.

He helped me into the car and we soon left.

"So, when will we be playing footie again?" he asked, peering at me. I laughed.

"That was like, 10 years ago."

"Feels like it was yesterday." He sighed.

"I miss those days."

"So do I." We sat in a comfortable silence for a while but I knew Rob wanted to say something. He kept opening his mouth and he was twitching his nose, something he did when he was keeping quiet but wanted to speak. I looked at him.

"Spit it out." I instructed. He raised his eyebrow momentarily.

"What happened, Riah?" He looked at me again. I shrugged.

"I don't remember." I sighed.

"It's me you're talking to. You can tell me anything, you know this." He looked at me. We were at a red light so he just continued to bore his eyes into me.

"I can't." I replied. Eventually he nodded and left the subject.

We arrived at his house. I hadn't been here in years. I missed this place. I grinned as we walked through the door. It hadn't changed a smidge.

The picture of Kieran at his first football match remained on the wall. The little cabinet with the post on top remained at the side of the door. Everything was the same. I took off my trainers and stepped into the living room. I sat down on the dark grey sofa and smiled to myself. Kieran's house wasn't as big as ours but I would certainly live at his than at my own house if I had the choice.

I heard Sharon's voice and I immediately started panicking. I don't think Rob told her he was picking me up. She didn't like me and I didn't want her to pop off on me again. She walked into the living room and I looked up at her. She had a sour and confused look on her face. She peered out of the door, Rob was standing there and she frowned.

"Hi, Mrs Cole." I said. She turned her attention back on me after shooting daggers at Rob.

"Hi." She managed to get out. Her lips were pulled together tightly. She was trying to keep her anger in. I sighed. Everyone was angry at me, it seemed.

"If you don't want me here, I can leave." I stood up.

Rob pulled her by the arm and she closed the door as they talked; about me no doubt. She walked back in and gave me a hug, saying that I was welcome to stay however long I needed to and that their door was always open for me. He must have told her what happened with my dad two months ago. I nodded and thanked her.

I stayed at Rob's for the rest of the day. We were waiting for Kieran to get back from training before having dinner. Rob had made one of my favourites; chicken soup with dumplings. We were sitting at the dining table in silence, waiting for him to get home. I knew Sharon was still mad at me and I didn't want to say anything that would anger her. Soon enough we could all hear Kieran's key in the door.

"Dad, is that soup?" he shut the door.

"You haven't made that in years..." he trailed off as he walked into the kitchen and spotted me sitting at the dining table.

"Hi." I blinked.

"Figures. Hi, Riah." he looked me up and down.

"You're late." Sharon was straight faced so she must have still been uneasy having me around. Kieran was her pride and joy, she always smiled or was happy when he was around her or when she saw him.

"Change and come and eat." she ordered. He nodded, glanced at his father and I and left us. He returned about 15 minutes later and we prayed before we started to eat.

"How long is your arm gonna be in that cast?" He asked, popping a spinner into his mouth.

"About 6 weeks." I replied. He nodded.

"How'd you get it?"

"Dunno." I shrugged.

"You don't know?"

"I don't remember." I kept my eyes on my food, refusing to look up at anyone.

"Riah-"

"How's you and Rianne doing?" I looked up at him, it was his turn to feel uncomfortable.

"Yeah, we're fine." He nodded.

"Good." I'm sure everyone could feel the tension. I don't even know why there was any tension. But there was. A lot of it actually.

"How's your dad?" Was he trying to get a reaction out of me?

"I don't know, ask him."

"I'm asking you."

"Cool, I'm not him so I can't give you an answer."

"You should be able to, you're his daughter."

"That means nothing."

"Are you saying he means nothing to you?"

"No, I'm saying the fact that he's my father doesn't mean that I can tell you how he's been."

"You live with him don't you?" He was definitely trying to piss me off. I dropped my spoon and looked at him.

"What are you trying to do right now, Kieran?" I leaned forward.

"Nothing, I just asked a simple question."

"Really, cos it seems like you're trying to test my patience."

"If you don't have patience, that's not my problem."

"You're so stupid sometimes." I cut my eyes.

"And you're so weak. Can't even defend yourself against your own dad." I froze. How harsh. Rob and Sharon stared at us, not knowing what to say. Honestly, I didn't know what to say either. I kept my eyes on him. He seemed to clock what he just said and stared at me too.

"Riah, I'm sorry." he apologised. I just sat there. I didn't know what to do with myself.

Clearly I had been the talk of the town. It's not surprising I guess. My dad was a well known lawyer, my mum an estate agent. And I was a twin, we always got attention.

"Riah? I said I'm sorry." he repeated. I turned to Rob.

"Can we go now?" I whispered. I was on the brink of tears.

"You haven't finished your dinner."

"Yeah, I just want to go." I pleaded with my eyes.

"Riah-"

"Please don't talk to me Kieran. Please." I stared at Rob but I could feel Kieran's eyes on me.

"I didn't mean to upset you."

"Yes you did. You're so petty. I thought we were cool." I stood up.

"Stay. I didn't mean it." he sounded like such an idiot.

"You're a prick."

I rolled my eyes and began to put on my trainers. I let out a frustrated groan; I couldn't tie the laces with one hand. Desperate to leave, I tucked my laces in and picked up Rob's keys. I took all of my stuff that I had put down and left the house.

I sat in the car, waiting for him to come out. About 10 minutes later he finally joined me.

"Riah, I don't know what's gotten into him." He shook his head.

"It's fine." I handed him his keys.

"No. It's not."

"Please just leave it." I sighed. He nodded and started the car.

"I'm sorry Mike did that to you." He pulled off and we headed to the house.

"I'm good." I replied bluntly.

"You're not."

"I just said I am." I didn't mean to have an attitude with him, I just didn't want every conversation I had with people to be about him or what had happened.

"I'm just trying to help."

"I didn't ask for your help though, did I?" I stared out of the window, my thoughts all over the place.

"You didn't mean that. You always turn a right bitch when you're upset." He laughed. I couldn't help but smile a little.

"Sorry." I apologised.

"Don't worry. I'm sorry too."

"For what?"

"I wasn't there to stop him." He spoke. I turned to him.

"There's no way you could have, Rob. No one saw it coming, not even me." I told him.

"Had I any suspicion he was going to be as violent as he was I wouldn't have stayed at home. But it didn't start any differently than any other time so I didn't know." I rambled.

"Other time?" He looked at me.

"Huh?"

"He's done this before?" He asked. I didn't want to lie, I didn't want to tell the truth. I sighed and stayed silent. I thought it best that I not give an answer at all. I turned away from him, my attention now on what I could see out of the car.

"Riah-"

"We don't need to talk about it." I spoke quietly.

"Of course we do!"

"We really don't."

"You're being abused!"I flinched. I hated that word. It made me appear as though as I was some fragile doll that couldn't defend herself.

"No, it's not like that."

"What's it like then? Tell me, let me know. Cos from where I'm standing it looks like abuse." He asserted. I sighed. He was pissed.

"He's supposed to be protecting you, don't let him hurt you." He said. I just nodded.

"I don't even want to take you back anymore." He whispered.

"You have to." I looked over at him.

"Nah. You know what, why don't you come and stay with us for a few days?"

"Rob-"

"It'll be no trouble. It'll be just like the old days." The old days he was referring to is just when our families were closer. Like I said before, Rob was like a second dad to me and I spent many nights at his home for sleepovers.

I smiled slightly at the memory.

"I can't." I brought myself back to reality.

"Well why not?"

"If I do, Michael will know I told you. That wouldn't be good for me, I don't want him to do this to me again. I just got out of the hospital, I don't want to go back." I rushed. He stared at me for a little while before reluctantly agreeing.

"If he does anything wrong while I'm there, I won't be held accountable for my actions."

"Please don't do anything." I begged. I didn't want him to get hurt. He sighed. He parked behind my dad's car.

"So what really happened for you to end up like this?" he asked.

"If I tell you, your mood is gonna be all jacked up and you'll be angry and Michael will know I snitched-"

"Okay, don't worry. Another time." He said. I nodded.

He helped me get my stuff out of the car and I followed him up the steps to the front door. He rung the doorbell. Michael opened the door and greeted him.

"Rob! Hey, man what a nice surprise." He shook Rob's hand.

"I just came to drop Riah off."

"Oh okay." He cleared his throat and stepped aside allowing us into the house. He stared at me as he held the door open. He closed the door.

"So, Rob. Would you like to share a drink with me?" he asked, grinning.

"I just came to drop her home, that's all." His tone was so flat.

"Oh, come on! One drink won't hurt! It'll be just like the old times." Michael laughed.

"I really shouldn't." he declined politely.

"Come on, man. I know you've missed hanging out with me right."

"I have to get back to the wife."

"Okay, I understand. Maybe another time."

"Yeah, maybe." Rob nodded. He turned to me and smiled.

"I'll see you later." He hugged me tightly and whispered to me that I should stay strong. I nodded.

"I love you." he said quietly.

"I love you too, dad." he sighed and released me. He looked close to tears. He really didn't want to leave me here.

"I'll come and see you tomorrow." he announced. I nodded. He said bye to Michael and left. I heated up the food Rob gave me and sat in the kitchen eating it.

"What did you say to him?" Michael walked into the kitchen.

"Nothing."

"He was acting weird." He stared at me. I shrugged.

"Did you tell the doctor what I told you to say?" he stood beside me.

"I told him I didn't remember." my voice was shaky and I could feel myself trembling as he watched me. He nodded.

"Good." He walked out and I let out a breath. Staying here was not going to be easy.