WARNING: TRAMA/VIOLENCE

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"How dare you."

I remained emotionless as my parents spewed insults and punches,

"You can't be pansexual, is that even a thing?"

"You were supposed to be a girl, it's your fault our family is like this."

"If you were a girl this never would have happened."

Their words piled over each other, each one accompanied by a punch. I kept my knees bent so I wouldn't fall under each punch. I felt as my Dad tackled me.

I opened my eyes, I was sure I was awake but I couldn't seem to move, there was a terrible pressure on my chest making it hard to breathe. I saw shadows moving their way across the walls. The shadows peeled off the walls and started to merge. Fear pounded through me as I tried to move. I was frozen in place, I thought I could hear someone saying my name but it was drowned out by the roars of the shadows who had melted into one monster. The monster swooped down opening its jaw.

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I jolted awake to see Nick shaking my shoulders,

"Hey, you okay? Buddy... can you respond? Hello."

The only thing I could do was try to breathe, I gripped onto Nick's arms. He helped me sit up next to him on the couch. I hid my face in his 

shirt as I trembled. Nicks hands hovered over me in surprise, but only for a second, until one wrapped around my shoulders and the other pet the back of my head.

"I don't want to fall asleep again, please."

Nick rested his chin on my head,

"Don't worry, you don't have to sleep for a while, I made food. Do you want some pasta?"

I nodded but didn't let go of Nick who chuckled,

"If you want it right now you'll have to let go of me."

I reluctantly let go of Nick's shirt and followed him to the kitchen where the smell of tomatoes filled the air. My stomach rumbled quietly but Nick's ears managed to catch it,

"Hungry huh?"

I nodded and he chuckled,

"You can sit at the counter I just need to drain the noodles."

I plastered a smiled on and sat at the counter. I tried to convince myself I was fine but it wasn't working, I'd just have to fake it for a little bit. Nick slid me a plate of pasta on the counter before grabbing forks and sitting next to me. I waited until Nick took a bite and then began scarfing down my food, halfway through my meal I realized he was staring at me, I choked on my pasta. I coughed and Nick raced up and handed me a glass of water, I quickly drank some,

"Thanks."

Once I stopped coughing I looked at Nick, who was still staring at me.

"Why are you staring at me?"

I had my fake smile on-again, Nick's eyes narrowed.

"You're faking."

"Faking? Faking what?"

He looked sad again,

"Your mood."

My heart dropped, how'd he know. 'I gotta play dumb' I thought

"What's a mood?"

'Too dumb, idiot' I thought.

I tried to smile convincingly but Nick just glared softly,

"Stop faking okay? Yeah?"