CASY

Leo was so angry when he found out about me and Marco. He was furious, pure rage... That was the first time he ever yelled at me and cried while shouting that he was never going to forgive me for what I had done. That was one of the hardest moments of my life...

I still remember his face when he found me and Marco kissing behind a wall at school. I immediately felt like the worst person in the world and rightly so, since I've done something terrible and I totally regretted it the moment I locked eyes with him.

That mistake changed everything. My mistake changed everything. I obeyed to my sexual desires and allowed myself to cheat on my boyfriend—on my perfect fucking boyfriend...

Since that moment things with me and Leo were never the same. He was no longer the same. He was no longer the caring, loving guy he once was, instead he became the violent, abusive man he is today. Rage never let him and anger took over his brain and body. That day, he swore that I was the person he hated the most, and that statement was all it took for him to have it in for me...

Oh God... I never thought about that... I never put two and two together. I never... I never thought of the fact that... I may be the reason Leo has become this dangerous monster. I may be the reason for my own suffering. I may be the reason for his fury.

My phone rings again and I jolt.

It's him.

I choke on some air and try to calm myself down. Don't panic.

Maybe I'm not guilty for his behavior... I mean, I can't be the reason he's treating me like a piece of shit, right? That's impossible... right?

Maybe I am guilty... No, no! I am not! He's the only one to blame since he's the one hurting me! I can't blame myself for this. But... But I agreed to this... No! That's not what happened! He threatened me. He... Okay, just stop Casy.

Breathe Casy. Breathe. Just breathe. It was just a thought. Just a stupid thought you have to get out of your head.

I pick up the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey," his hoarse voice fills my ears and sends shudders through my whole body. "I just wanted to make sure you're coming tonight, baby—"

"Don't call me that," I cut him off. I hate how the word baby sounds coming from his mouth.

"What did you say?" He asks defiantly.

I look down and bite my tongue. I shouldn't have said that—I already know the rules.

In moments like this, I wish I could find out what happened to my parents once and for all so our agreement would end and I'd be free. But I know there's still a long way to go to taste the freedom I yearn for.

"No-nothing," I stutter. I hate the power he has over me.

"That's what I thought. So, we're hanging at seven p.m. It's six thirty, so you better get ready now and move your ass from whatever you're sitting on and get here. We're gonna have so much fun tonight." He cheerfully says and then hangs up.

I put my phone away from my ear and stare at the dark screen for a while. I mull over what he just said and frown.

Something feels off. The way he said those words... those last damn words... makes me a bit uneasy. Why was he in such a good mood? Ninety percent of the time he's in a bad mood, so... something good must've happened... But, what? Is he up to something? Well, he's always up to something...

***

Despite Leo's insistent calls to remind me to be on time, I ended up getting ready at 7:15 and arrived at his house at 7:30. Sorry Leo but I'm not going to hurry up—being a woman takes time—, let alone for you.

Right now I'm in front of Leo's house, which is like a mansion. I've been here so many times... and the last ones... Well, you know what happened the last time I set foot in his house. Maybe that's why I grew tired and scared of this place.

I cover my ears with my hands since the music is tremendously loud and peep through the window and see that the house is packed. There must be like one hundred people in there or even more. I thought only him, Valentina, Dilara and I were hanging, but it seems like Leo just wanted to have one of his big parties. Again.

A quick thought crosses my mind and I freeze. Then shake my head and smile awkwardly. No, it's impossible. I laugh nervously. It's fucking impossible, right? I mean, he can't... He can't do that.

My heart sinks when I think about Hannah and what Leo wanted to do to her the last time he threw a party... I just hope he won't do this tonight. Besides, he knows Hannah and I haven't spoken since... that day. That horrible day.

No matter how hard I try to hide my feelings for her... these always come up one way or another. Now my love for her is too strong to hide it under the rug... That's why I'm willing to kill Leo if he does anything to her. I just hope that my imagination has run wild and that he won't try anything tonight. However, something tells me my imagination may be just right.

I'm about to step away from the door and get home when the door flies open and a drunk Leo appears from behind. He's wearing an unbuttoned blue shirt, his hair is messy and he's holding a red cup which I suppose it's filled with beer. Classic Leo.

"I saw you through the window. Come on in" he smirks and then holds the door open for me to enter.

I walk into the house hesitantly and he immediately grabs my arm and rushes me inside. He hugs me and strokes my back with his free hand. I quickly pull away and smile awkwardly. I look around and see... well things you may see in Las Vegas not in a teenagers' party. This is Leo—always a step ahead.

I don't like parties that much, let alone his parties. I just want to get drunk enough to drown my sorrows and forget I was even here. Like I always do when I'm in these kinds of situations.

"Okay, grumpy, see you later," and then he disappears into the crowd and I'm left alone. Confused and desperately wishing Hannah would stay far away from this fucking place the whole night.