Chapter Five:

I shook myself awake and fell onto the floor. I winced at the loud crash that accompanied it. I looked underneath me to see what I managed to crush in the process. The lamp and alarm clock off of Zacky’s bedside table lay beside me, luckily unharmed. I fixed them and focused on the intense migraine determined on crushing my skull.

I fished some Excedrin out of my purse and swallowed them dry. God, I’m hungover. I still don’t feel like I drank nearly enough to face Derek. I can’t do it. I can’t.

If I left now, I could split town and make it to New York in a few days time. The only problem is my mother. She would say I was kidnapped and report my car stolen. I know her. She isn’t afraid to do it.

I don’t see any conceivable way that I’ll get out of this. I can’t stop wigging out. What he did to me… I can’t stop it from flashing before my eyes. I was so young when he started. I wasn’t even a teenager, yet. I was ten when my mother started seeing him. The abuse started almost right afterwards. I tried to tell her so many times. She refused to believe that he would hurt me or how I got the bruises.

They were together until I was fourteen. Fourteen! I dealt with him forcing himself on me for four years. And she wants me to have breakfast with him and be civil. I can’t do it. I can’t.

I didn’t realize I was crying until I heard myself whimper. I’m beside myself. I’m spiraling and I’m spiraling fast.

Brian noticed. He threw off his blankets and slid down next to me on the floor. He wrapped his arms around me.

“Ace, you’re crazy if you think that I’m letting you go alone. There is no way in hell that you’re going to breakfast with that pedophile without me with you.” He told me. He tilted my face up, so he could look me in the eyes. I made myself focus on his words. I nodded.

“S-She won’t like it.” I stammered. He shrugged.

“I don’t give a fuck if she does or not.” He promised.

“Okay.”

---

I have a storm raging in my stomach, telling me that going is a bad idea. How do you get out of a situation that you’re not in control of? How do you get out of something when it’s your parent forcing you into it? I don’t have an answer to it, but I wish to gods that I did.

I put on my rattiest clothes. I pulled on a thick pair of black leggings, thick socks, my most conservative bra and panties set, an old tee shirt, a sweater almost long enough to be a short dress and my combat boots. I slipped a pocket knife onto the waistband of my leggings. A girl can never be too sure. I threw my hair up in the messiest ponytail in the history of ever and grabbed my purse.

“Let’s get this over with.” I told Brian in an eerily somber tone.

He put his arm around me and I leaned on him for support. This is crazy. I haven’t even known this guy in a week and he’s already my other half. That’s insane – right? Who does that? I’ve never been that girl, but here I am. We’re friends. Or. Well, I… I’m not exactly sure what’s going on, but ‘friends’ sounds so uncomplicated. I like uncomplicated. I can handle uncomplicated. There’s still Matt. I catch myself thinking about him more often than I’d like. I’m just not going to think about guys right now. I’m going to focus on making it through breakfast.

---

Brian and I walked into the café together, arm in arm. My mother didn’t look too pleased with it, but she hid her disdain before anyone else could catch it.

“Brian, how nice of you to join us. Lydia didn’t mention that you would be tagging along.” She gave him a sugary-sweet smile and her voice dripped with acidic sweetness.

“It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. I wanted to meet the man you kept talking to her about.” Brian smiled at her and Derek. He hasn’t really changed much. His hair is a little longer; he’s gotten a little older. But, he’s still the same. I can smell him from across the table. I’ll never forget that smell. He smells of musk and cigarettes and too much cheap cologne.

“Derek, pleasure to meet you.” Derek returned Brian’s smile. When his eyes met mine, they turned predatory. I forced myself to sit straighter, taller. His dark eyes are still so cold and malicious. He’s very fit and buff. I suppose he doesn’t give off the creeper kind of aura, but I guess the well hid ones don’t. “You look well, Pumpkin.” He directed to me. That word made my blood freeze and my heart stop. It’s always what he called me right before… I shook my head.

“I’ve been better.” I told him, avoiding looking at him. Brian reached over and held my hand, on top of the table.

“Something troubling you?” Derek asked me.

“I’m just not thrilled about the company.” I told him, looking at him, briefly. He smirked and my I could just see the fury building in my mother’s face.

“Nonsense, we’ve both missed you. It’s so good to see you again.” My mother gushed. I rolled my eyes. How pathetic can you get? Gods knows how she managed to snag Doug. He’s a catch. He’s like a kazillionaire. How much fucking many does one whore need anyway? She’s so fucking selfish. I always get put into these warped situations because of her selfishness!

---

I made it through breakfast by speaking as little as possible. Brian offered a lot of the conversation. I owe him for that. I didn’t look at anyone except for Brian. It feels so much better to know that he’s in my corner – that he has my back. I need that. I just need to know that I’m not alone. I don’t need anyone to fight for me. I just need someone to lean on, sometimes. Everybody deserves at least that.

“I have to use the ladies’ room, if you’ll excuse me.” I practically ran from the table and booked it double-time to the bathroom. I locked the bathroom door behind me and sat on the toilet. I started hyperventilating and couldn’t stop. I need to calm down, but how? I got up and paced the bathroom. I feel so nauseous – it’s unreal. Without warning, my stomach lurched. I dropped to my knees and emptied out the contents of my stomach. I’m suddenly grateful of the fact that I hadn’t eaten anything this morning, just moved the food around on my plate.

I dry-heaved for a good ten minutes before I cleaned up. I rinsed out my mouth and washed my face and hands before leaving the bathroom.

I walked smack-dab into the one person I never wanted to see again. I started to fall back, but he reached out the steady me. I dropped my weight, to slip out of his vise-grip, but no avail. He pulled me into a nearby storage closet and locked the door.

I started panicking. I grabbed whatever was in reach and hurled it at him.

“Now, now, is that any way to great an old friend, Pumpkin?” He asked me, smiling.

“You’re not my friend!” I yelled. His smile dropped.

“Shut your fucking mouth before I choke you. I see you still haven’t learned any respect. Don’t make me bruise that pretty mouth of yours.” He taunted. I shook my head and kept throwing things. He lunged at me and my back hit the shelf behind me. I cried out and we both went down. He shoved his hand up my shirt and started groping me. I bit his neck, hard. He grunted and backhanded me.

“You’re not going to hurt me, again!” I screamed.

“Shut up!” He bellowed. I kept biting, clawing, kicking – whatever I could. It was no use. He overpowered me, easily. He reached my leggings but I hit his hand away. I grabbed the knife before he could see it. I quickly hid it in my hand. “You’re mine.” He whispered. He got my pants down and started on my underwear when I pulled my blade out. He didn’t see it in time. I drove it into his shoulder. He yelled and punched me in my gut. I screamed bloody-murder.

I heard footsteps outside before the door started shaking. Brian kicked the door and the lock gave way. I cried. I’ve never been so happy to see him in my life. He pulled Derek off of me. I fixed my clothes and yanked my knife out of his flesh. I wiped it on his shirt and clutched it in my hand. Derek pulled on his jacket that must have fallen off in the debacle as the restaurant staff and my mother came to the scene.

“You’re never touching me, again!” I told him. They pulled him out of the storage room before he could say anything else.

“Don’t get mad at me because you’re a little cock-tease.” He growled. My mother looked appalled.

“If you come near me, again, I swear to God, I am going to report you.” I told him. He paled and he started to walk away. My mother trailed after him, probably apologizing. The staff asked me if I was alright and if I wanted the police involved. I told them I was fine and that they wouldn’t be necessary. I was trembling when Brian took me outside. I saw mom. As soon as Derek saw me, he got in his car and sped away. I hope he stays away.

“You ungrateful little bitch. I ask you to do one thing for me and you can’t even do that!” Mother raged at me in a hushed scream. I glared at her.

“He tried to rape me.” I whimpered.

“You tried to seduce him! If you didn’t want all of the attention, you should have kept quiet.” She lectured me.

“You aren’t listening! You never listen! Do you see the bruises on my face?! Would like to see the ones on my back?! They’re from him trying to force himself on me, yet again! Why is that so fucking hard for you to get your sadistic little brain around?! What have I ever done to you?!” I yelled at her.

“You were born.” She seethed.

“You’re a coward.” I spat.

“You’re lucky he isn’t pressing charges after you stabbed him.”

“Lucky? He’s lucky he isn’t rotting in jail for child molestation!”

“For what you did to him, I should just let him have you.” She told me. “You’re lucky you’re my daughter and we can pretend this didn’t happen. Otherwise, there’d be consequences.” She warned.

“You should never have been a mother.”

“That we can both agree on.”

“I should get Ace to school.” Brian cleared the air, awkwardly. Lynn looked at him as if she just realized he was there. She’d let her true colors show in front of him.

“Thank you, Brian, for looking after my daughter.” She smiled at him. It looked real, for the first time in awhile.

“Someone has to.” He replied, walking me away. “Are you okay, Ace?” He asked me before he helped me into the car. I shook my head. He hugged me, tight. I whimpered and let the tears soak his shirt. “I’m so proud of you. You stabbed the guy. Who knew you were such a little badass?”

“I’m not that small.” I laughed.

“Yes, you are.”

---

We were at school before I was ready to be. I sure as hell didn’t want to be at home. Not with her. I can’t right now. I assured Brian that I would be okay. He insisted on walking me to class. I didn’t pay attention to much. I was in a daze, replaying this morning on repeat.

I finally started to come out of it when it was time for Econ.

“Good morning, Miss Wolf.” Mr. Matthews smiled at me. I nodded at him.

“Morning,” I uttered, before taking my seat. He’s cool for a teacher. I talked to him before the weekend. He actually gives a rat’s ass about his students. He seems to know his stuff – another bonus.

---

Halfway into the lesson, I couldn’t stop shaking. I started to feel claustrophobic. I can feel an anxiety attack coming on. I got to my feet and walked up to Mr. Matthews.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your lesson, but can I be excused?” I asked him.

“Is everything alright?” He asked me, looking legitimately concerned. I gulped and shook my head.

“I’ve been diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder. Normally, I don’t need to be medicated, but it’s been a rough morning and sometimes stress is a trigger.” I told him, visibly trembling now. He frowned and reached out to steady me. “I keep the meds in my locker, for emergencies. Please, can I go?” I asked him, on the verge of tears.

“The school has a strict policy about taking pills on school grounds…” He started.

“Can I have a pass if I take them down to the nurse’s office? She can ensure I take the prescribed amount.” I tried, desperately.

“Of course, would you like someone to accompany you?” He asked me. I shook my head. “Well, it would help ease my mind if someone went with you.” He scanned the faces of my peers behind me.

“I’ll go with her.” Zacky came to the front of the class, with our things already in hand.

“Thank you.” Mr. Matthews told Zacky. He just nodded. Our teacher scribbled out a note and we were on our way. We didn’t talk as I got my pills out of my locker. We went to the nurse and apparently our teacher had already called and explained the situation. She looked at my prescription and told me to sit down. She handed me a cup of water and some crackers. I took the pills and she looked pleased.

“Could you give us a few minutes?” I asked her, starting to cry again. She nodded.

“Take your time, dear. I’ll be back in a half-hour. It’s time for my lunch, anyway.” She left us and closed the door.

“Brian told me what happened.” Zack cleared the air, first. I looked up at him. He pulled me into his embrace. I leaned my head on his shoulder. “I know it’s not a permanent fix, but my dad thought it would be nice to do something for Lynn. He sent her to a spa retreat and she’ll be gone for the next two weeks. He doesn’t feel comfortable with you staying alone, so he asked me to invite you to stay with us. He wants to get to know you better.” He revealed.

“I couldn’t. I don’t want to impose.” I told him, suddenly all too self-conscious.

“You’re staying with us. I know that you’ve had a lot of crap handed to you and I get that. My step-mom was just as vicious as Lynn. When she and my dad divorced, I used to go stay with her sometimes. I hated it, but she’d complain so much and make it seem like she was the doting parent. She had her boyfriend at the time beat the shit out of me. The first time, they threatened my life. I was just a kid. I was maybe, eight years old. I told my dad that some kids did it. He bought it… the first time. The second time, her guy sent me to intensive care. I was in a medically induced coma for two weeks while my body healed. I almost died. Anyway, my dad figured it out and put an end to that. He’s a lot smarter than he appears to be. You have to be when you come into as much money and power as he did. He wants to help you and he probably won’t stop until you let him. Just agree to stay with us.” He pressed.

“Oh, my God.” I breathed.

“Anyways, I could use help with girls.” He added. I laughed.

“Sure, I’ve always wanted a brother.” I teased.

“Keep talking, shorty.”

---

Zacky took me home so I could pack some things and then he left to go do something with the guys. Once I was packed I drove over to the Baker’s place. I was almost surprised when I ran into Doug.

“Lydia, I’m glad to see you’re taking us up on our offer.”

“I couldn’t refuse.” I told him, honestly. He smiled.

“Let me show you to your room.” He offered. I nodded, meekly.

“I’m a little surprised to see you. I assumed you’d be going with my mother.” I told him.

“I figured she could use some time to herself.” He deflected.

“Ain’t that the truth.” I mused out-loud. He just looked back and smiled again. It’s almost like he knows what she’s really like. He led me to a massive, gorgeously decorated room. It’s clearly meant to be inhabited by a female.

“I was hoping that your staying here would allow me to get to know you a little better.” He admitted. I nodded, slowly. “I know more about you and Lynn than I’ve been letting on, I’m afraid.” He told me. I looked at him and sat down in an armchair, in the guest room. He stayed standing.

“Like?” I prodded.

“Men of my stature, have to protect their assets.” I began. I nodded. “I’ve known the type of woman your mother is since the day that I met her. I’ve never had good taste in women. There’s something that draws me to her that I cannot quite put my finger on. I know what she’s after and we share a mutual attraction. I have more money than I could ever hope to spend. I let her keep the delusion that she holds the cards in our relationship, when that isn’t the case.” He explained.

“I’ll never understand why people get into relationships for politics.”

“That says more about your character than mine, I’m afraid.” He gave me a sad smile. “I’d like to invite you to use this relationship to its advantage and what it has to offer.”

“And what is that?” I asked him, intrigued.

“I can offer you friendship and financial security. I can also offer you a place in my home if you’re ever in need of it. I have a very close bond with my son and he tells me most of the things that go on in his life.” Doug told me, squatting down in front of me.

“So, you know, too?” I guessed. He nodded.

“What happened to you, should never happen to anyone. I’d like to make sure it never happens to you again.”

“I’m not a charity case.” I told him, getting defensive.

“You misunderstand me, sweetheart. I’m not offering you charity.”

“What are you offering?”

“If there’s anything in this world I am good at apart from business, it’s being a father. I’ve always wanted a daughter.” He told me. I took a deep breath.

“I’m not a big fan of fathers.” I told him, truthfully.

“Let me show you how a father is supposed to behave. Every child should be loved.” He whispered. When he says it, it doesn’t sound weird. It doesn’t sound warped or selfish. It sounds selfless and pure. It sounds like love. I want that. I’d love to have that. I’ve wanted a parent that could act like a parent for so long. “I’m not naïve enough to think that I’ll be in a relationship with your mother forever, and should we end things, you will still have a place here.” He promised me. I didn’t know what to say. He gave me a tentative hug. I returned it, overcome with emotion.

“Thank you.” I whispered.

“You don’t need to thank me, sweetheart. Zacky’s birthday is coming up. Would you like to go shopping with me? Perhaps could talk more?” He offered. I nodded.

“Can I freshen up?”

“Of course.” He left me to my room. I found my way to the bathroom and decided to shower. I can’t believe the day it’s turning out to be. Who knows what tonight will bring. Just. Craziness.

Notes

Things are going to start picking up from here on out. Things got really dark kind of fast. Things'll start to lighten up a bit next chapter. Reviews please!