Jack pulled me into his house gently, closing the door behind him.

"Y'know Jack... it's great being back in Baltimore," I said with a smile.

"You could say that again," Jack said with a chuckle, & he led me through the house.

"You do realize I'm going to my mother's, don't you?" I asked with a smirk as Jack threw my suitcase upon his bed.

"I do now," he said, turning around with a sheepish smile.

"Yeah... She expects me to be there at about four-thirty; give or take a few minutes," I said.

"That's in ten minutes. You want me to drive you?" Jack asked, knowing I didn't have a car at the moment, because, well, he drove me. I smiled.

"I'd love that," I said softly. He grabbed my suitcase for me, & we headed back to his car.

~

"Mom!?" I asked as I unlocked the door. I entered, closing the door behind me softly.

"Rebecca!?" She asked, running into the room.

"Hi mom," I said, & she rushed over, pulling me into a hug as I dropped my luggage at my feet.

"I've missed you, darling!" She exclaimed, pushing herself away from me slowly.

"I've missed you too," I said with a smile. I looked down into my mother's eyes, watching as they turned suddenly serious.

"You can't be here right now, Rebecca," she said, making me furrow my eyebrows.

"Why? You told me-"

"I know what I told you, but your father's here. He's asleep, thank God," she said.

"Mom! I thought you got rid of him! He beat us both & you know that!" I said, lowering my voice.

"Yes I do. I couldn't get him to leave! Once he's drunk, there's no way he's leaving!" she said, worry etched into her voice. I suddenly felt rejected, but I couldn't blame her.

"First, you tell me what he did to you, because I know he did something. Then, I'll get out of here like you want, because I actually to have somewhere to be," I said, thinking of Stephanie.

"He didn't hit me, if that's what you're thinking. He raped me, Rebecca," she said quietly, eyes filling with tears.

"No he didn't," I said in disbelief. She only nodded.

"It's alright.. you- you get out of here. Now," she ordered as we both heard footsteps coming down the stairs. I kissed her cheek & grabbed my luggage before running out the door. I pulled my phone out of my pocket along with my car keys, & I approached the Ford truck that was mine, parked in the gutter. I unlocked it & got in, immediately locking it again. I turned my phone on & sent a quick text to Stephanie.

To: Steph: Hey what's your address? You said you needed a hug last night, & I'm back in Bmore.

Her reply was quick.

From: Steph: I'm actually at the mall right now. Meet you in the square? I'll explain everything when you get here.

To: Steph: No problem. See you in a few.

I turned my phone back off & tossed it in the passenger seat. I buckled my seatbelt up & looked towards the house. I quickly started the engine as I saw my dad trudging down the lawn, glaring at me through the window. I peeled away from the gutter & headed in the direction of the mall, curious as to what Stephanie had to tell me.

I recognized a hooded figure as Stephanie as I approached her.

"Hey Steph," I said, sitting down next to her, making her jump a little. She looked at me & immediately, her arms were around me. I could hear her sobs, & it broke my heart.

"Woah woah woah. It's good to see you too. What's up?" I asked softly, & she pulled away from me.

"My parents have been fighting because of the drive to the concert & it hasn't stopped since we got home. They both have been drinking themselves unconscious, & last night I heard my mom mention a divorce & I can't handle that," she said, looking up at me.

"Oh god I'm so sorry, Stephie," I said, & I pulled her into me again. She sobbed into my neck & I rocked her back & forth for a few minutes. I watched as people walked past; some giving us weird looks; some giving us sad looks.

"How about you stay with me tonight?" I asked, & I felt her nod into my neck. I gently pushed her away & smiled sadly at her.

"I'd love that.. but I'm only a minor. You could go to jail for that if my parents actually cared," she said.

"You're a minor?" I asked.

"Yeah. I'm seventeen," she said with a sniffle.

"One night wouldn't hurt, would it?" I asked. She gave me a small smile.

"Let's go. Did you walk?" I asked, to which she nodded.

"Yeah. My mom refuses for me to drive because she doesn't want to buy me a car, nor does she want me to drive her car. Same with my dad," she said.

"Everything will be okay. Let's go before it gets to be too late," I said. Stephanie nodded, & we both retreated to my truck.

~

"Thank you so much for this, Rebecca," Stephanie said once we were settled in my apartment.

"No problem. Anytime you need anything, you call or text me, alright? & if you want... I could get you Alex's number," I said, & her face lit up.

"You would do that?" She asked. I nodded.

"& you know something else? He hasn't taken that necklace off since you gave it to him," I said.

"Really?" She asked in a small voice. I nodded again with a smile.

"Do you think any of the guys would date me? Besides Rian, I mean..." She said.

"Not Jack," I said.

"Why?" She inquired.

"Oh right! I didn't tell you! Me & him are sorta dating.." I said.

"Congratulations!" She said. I smiled.

"I'm sure though, that you may have a chance with Alex once you're eighteen," I said. She grinned & hugged me tightly.

"Let's get you to bed. You look really fucking tired. You don't mind sleeping here on the couch, do you?" I asked.

"As long as I'm able to sleep, it's fine," she muttered. I smiled & grabbed her a blanket & a pillow from the chest in the corner of the room. She gladly took both & got comfortable.

"See you in the morning, Steph," I said.

"Goodnight," she muttered sleepily, & I shut the lamp off. I trudged to my room & got in bed, not bothering to change. It felt nice to sleep in my own bed for a change instead of a bunk. I'm sure Jack was thinking the same thing.

I woke up the next morning to my phone ringing next to me on the nightstand. I searched for it blindly, finally curling my fingers around the device. I looked up & pressed the 'accept call' button, & I held it up to my ear.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey baby," Jack chirped happily.

"Hi," I muttered with a yawn.

"Did I wake you?" He asked.

"Uh-huh," I sat up & rubbed my face with my free hand.

"Oh I'm sorry. Come over at about ten. I wanna hang out," Jack said. I smiled.

"Okay babe. I'll see you soon. Bye," I said. He reciprocated my goodbye & I hung up. I put my hair up into a messy bun & walked out to my small living room, seeing Stephanie curled up in the blanket.

"Hey Steph, wake up!" I yelled, emitting a groan from her.

"Fuck you!" She said into the pillow, holding her middle finger up high.

"You're not even flipping me off," I said, laughing as I did so.

"You get what I mean," she grumbled, sitting up.

"Jack called.. wanted me to go over, and your're coming with. There's a chance Alex will be there, so go pretty yourself up!" I said loudly, making my hands face the direction of the bathroom. Stephanie giggled & rushed into the bathroom.

This would be fun.

Notes

Chapter Thirteen!

Title Cred: Skillet

Hey guys! I had a good day today. I found out that the mother of the guy I like is abusive and oh my god I just wanted to hug him forever and tell him everything would be alright, but I'm too chicken for that, so yeah!

Leave your comments down below please, and I'll read them, I promise! No one's been commenting. :(

Sorry if there are any mistakes.
I'm super duper tired. :P

Let me also say that if you've commented but you see that I've updated and there's no shout outs, it means that I haven't seen your comment yet. I know that they happened like two chapters ago. Sorry guys!

No shout outs! :(