I put my car into drive, going back to my house. When I got there, the lights were off, and my dad's truck was gone. If I were quick, I could hopefully get everything into my car before he gets home. I ran inside and out, piling everything important to me or that I wanted to bring with me into my truck. I was carrying the last few things out when I heard a truck pull up. 

I walked outside, heading straight for my truck. My dad gripped my arm. "Not going to talk to me?" He asked. I stayed still, ignoring him. I felt a fist fly into my face, then I took a few more punches. "Answer me," he continued. 

"I was just grabbing my things. I'm leaving now. I'll go," I whispered, slowly walking toward the driver's side door of my truck. 

"Yeah, get the hell off my property!" He yelled. I ran for my truck, throwing the last of my things into my truck before speeding away.

I headed straight for Marco's house. I needed him. I pulled into his driveway and ran to the front door, ringing the doorbell twice. Marco's mom answered the door. 

"Oh, kiddo. What happened to you?" She exclaimed. I was probably bruised pretty badly on my face. I fidgeted with the strings of Marco's hoodie. I had put it on after I had panicked in class. It was starting to smell less and less like him, and I wanted a new one from him. 

"I- um, is Marco home?" I asked, desperately. She shook her head. "Oh, I can come back later," I responded. 

"No, you come inside and sit down. I'll get you some food and water. I have an ice pack in the fridge for your face. Carly is accident-prone, so I keep them in the freezer." She responded. She led me inside and made me sit down. She handed me a cute butterfly ice pack, and I held it against my face. "Who did that to you?" She asked. I started sobbing. "Oh, honey," She replied, wrapping her arms around me. 

"My- My dad. He kicked me out," I cried. She held me tighter and rocked me back and forth as if I were a baby. She did that for about five minutes before pulling away. She poured me a bowl of hot soup, then grabbed some water from the fridge. 

"You are always welcome here. Stay as long as you like," Marco's mom responded. I couldn't bring myself to respond. After finishing the food, I looked up at her. 

"Is it okay if I go lie down upstairs?" I asked. I wanted to be curled up in Marco's bed. I couldn't wait for him to get home. 

"Of course. Marco should be home soon. He's probably out with Lara," Marco's mom responded. I climbed upstairs, going into Marco's room. I rummaged around in his drawers until I found sweatpants and a hoodie. I pulled off what I was wearing, pulling those on. I climbed into Marco's bed, pulling the blankets around myself. 

Eventually, the door to Marco's room clicked open. "Hey, I saw your truck out- What the fuck!" Marco exclaimed, taking in my tear-stained and bruised face. He approached me, carefully taking my head in his hands. "Oh, Sweetheart. What happened?" He asked. I melted into him at the pet name. He was so warm and safe. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him close. I told him the same thing I told his mother. He gripped me tighter. 

"Put on something more comfortable then lie down with me," I begged. Marco grabbed a t-shirt and pajama pants, then quickly changed. He changed in the same room as me, but I didn't mind. I didn't want him to leave. He climbed into bed with me, and I gripped him tightly. I buried myself in his chest. 

"Jackson, sweetheart. You're staying here tonight, okay? I want you safe here with me tonight," Marco whispered. I nodded. 

"I don't want to leave. I want to be here with you. I'm sorry I ran last time. I was just worried about coming home late because of my dad, then he broke my phone. I'm so sorry," I responded. Marco kissed my forehead. I looked up, kissing him deeply. "I really like you," I whispered.

"I really like you too," Marco whispered back, running his fingers through my hair. "Your hair is so soft," He remarked. "I love your hair," He continued. "And everything about you," He added. I snuggled up to him, trying to pull him closer. Marco laughed softly. 

"I told your mom. About everything that happened to me. She said I could stay as long as I want, but I don't want to be a burden," I whispered. Marco kissed the top of my head. 

"You're not a burden. You stay as long as you want, okay? I love having you here," Marco responded. he was good at making me feel safe and wanted. 

"You're using that word a lot. Love," I responded. Marco smiled and kissed me again. 

"Maybe it's because I love you," Marco responded. I froze. He loved me. I loved him, but it was hard for me to tell people that. "You don't have to say it," Marco responded. 

"I do. I do love you," I responded. "It's just hard for me to say, but I want you to know that I do feel that way."

"I know. Your actions show me that," Marco whispered, running his hand through my hair again. It felt incredibly good when he did that, and I loved that he loved my hair. "Hey, it's been a rough day for you, so we don't have to discuss our relationship and what we are right now, but I would like to discuss that tomorrow. For now, let's not worry about that, okay?" Marco continued. 

"Yeah, okay," I responded. "Will you wash my hair?" I asked. Marco looked down at me in confusion. "I feel dirty, and I want to shower, but I don't have the energy to wash my hair. Can you wash it for me?" I asked. 

"Of course, love. Come on," Marco responded, leading me to the bathroom. He turned on the shower, then we both pulled off our clothes, stepping in. I carefully washed my sore, bruised body. Marco washed his body as well. Then he tilted my head back, letting the water fall over my hair. 

He was gentle, and he took his time to make sure he didn't pull my hair or hurt me. He gently ran the shampoo through my hair, then the conditioner. He spent extra time washing the conditioner out, and I think he just wanted to play with my hair. After he was done washing my hair, he tilted my head back up and kissed me. 

"Why don't I dry your hair, we get dressed, then we go cuddle?" Marco asked. I nodded. Marco took a towel, gently patting my hair dry. We both got dressed in the clothes we were wearing before, then we went to lie down. I wasted no time getting as close to Marco as possible, lying my head on his chest. "Are you sleepy?" He asked. I nodded. I got barely any sleep last night, and it was so warm with him here, and everything felt comfortable. "Get some sleep then. School is over, so we can sleep in as long as you want. We scored a 97, by the way," He whispered, pulling the blanket up further. I passed the class. I didn't fail.