At lunch Dustin was waiting outside my classroom, does he not trust me. We walked together up to the roof where we sat the previous day. As we just sat there, the silence felt drowning. Dustin took his time getting out his food, and still would not talk.

“So, want to tell me about It?”

“Not really but I know you’ll not stop asking till I tell you.”

“River you look terrible, you're all bruised. Why would I not be concerned.”

“Did you not listen yesterday. Most people are not concerned, because it does not concern them.”

“Yes, but I’m concerned right now. Please tell me.”

I still sat for a while. Just quietly barley moving. Neither of us spoke. I knew he was waiting for me to tell him. Though I don’t really know how to tell him. Then what happens if he reacts badly.

“After I got home, they stopped me from going upstairs.”

I stopped talking to see if he was listening.

“Then what happened?”

“Then, uh, my mom started asking where I was in the morning. She was not happy with my answer and yeah. I woke up in my room and my whole body really hurt.”

“Your whole body?”

“yes, n- not just my face.”

“Does that make it better?”

“No, just don’t tell anyone.”

“River, you can get help if you just tell people.”

“I don’t want to, what happens if nothing works, they will only be madder at me.”

“Then at least come to my place tonight. I’ll put stuff on your bruises. Then sleep over.”

“I don't know, this happened because I was not home.”

“Just stay at my house until the come for you.”

“That might make problems for you family. You all look so happy; I don’t want to ruin that.

“Come on don’t say that please.”

“Are you really sure it’s okay?”

“Yes, I'll wait for you where I was yesterday.”

The bell rang and Dustin left first. I sat there thinking over everything. Is it really a good idea to go to Dustin’s? What if they call the police and get his parents in trouble? Then again what happens if they just forget about me? I’ll finally be ‘free’. I sat there feeling a bit drained after the conversation. After deciding just to skip class, I fell asleep with a lot on my mind.