(ps ( ), means text)

Ben's POV

I sat down as both Oliver and my Dad looked at me. I felt as Oliver set his hand on top of mine,

"You don't have to tell us right away, take your time."

My Dad nodded rubbing my back. I mustered up what courage I had and looked at both Oliver and my Dad,

"It started when you and mom got divorced... she would say that I was a-a rotten child and I-I caused your divorce. Later on, she started to slap me and call me names.... Then lately she would th-throw stuff at me, kick and punch me for a while. She got to the point where she was using a pocket knife. And when she left, she t-told me not to tell anyone anything.... or-or I'd get a punishment te-ten times worse."

When I finished Oliver hugged me as I realized I had started crying again. I felt my Dad hug me and Oliver.

"Okay, okay enough hugging!" I laughed trying to push my Dad and Oliver off me."

My Dad grinned mischievously,

"You didn't seem to mind sleeping with Oliver hugging you all night."

I felt my cheeks heat up and saw Oliver smirking at me,

"Aww, do you like my hugs?" he teased.

I bumped my shoulder against his in a playful way,

"Both of you are weirdos."

We went back out into the kitchen where I continued making breakfast and my Dad chatted with Oliver. Oliver managed waved to get my attention,

"Hey instead of going to your Mom's you could come to my place."

I looked at Oliver and raised my eyebrows. Oliver stared me down, neither of us blinked or looked away.

"What? You expect me to let you go to your mom's, nuh uh. Plus, my house isn't far from here or the school, and your mom has no idea I even exist. Double plus my parents are gone for weeks on end, I could use a friend to chill with"

I heard my Dad chuckle,

"He's got a point Ben, if it's cool with his parents I would like to go there while we get this problem solved."

Oliver held up his hand to my Dad and they high fived while Oliver whispered confidently,

"Oh yeah."

Oliver pulled out his phone and stepped out onto the balcony of our apartment, while my Dad went to his room because he was calling a friend who could help the situation, I heard Oliver talking and happened to hear one side of the conversation.

"Hey, I need to pull in that major favor...… you know when I had to lie to mom to keep your motorcycle incident a secret...… I need to have a friend over for the weeks he's supposed to be at his mom's..... yeah his dad's aware..... you guys aren't ever home it'll be fine.... he can stay in the guest room..... a bad situation...… thanks dad you're the best now I promise our secret is a secret.... yeah, yeah, love you too, bye."

Oliver came back in as I set food up on the counter.

"We're good for operation bro-chill."

I snorted and handed him a fork. He sat at the counter and waited as I sat next to him and then began to eat. Halfway through his breakfast Oliver handed me his phone,

"Put your number in it."

He managed to say with a mouthful of eggs. I typed in my number and handed it back to him, he typed into his phone quickly. My phone buzzed and I took it out seeing Oliver had texted me,

(mua ha ha)

I saved his number as Protector Dog and turned to Oliver who had a playful grin on his face.