Silent Lies - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

When I wake up it takes me a minute to take everything in. My eyes are so bleary, from all the crying I've done in the last day. I try to move but stop trying immediately, my body protesting in pain.
So much pain.
I'm laying on something but it's so dark and my eyes are still adjusting to everything.
Okay, well, make that something into someone.
That someone's chest moves up and down, soothing me with their heartbeat somehow as my head rests on their chest and my arm is sprawled out over them.
My hand is in a cast.
Yesterday, or today, what fucking time or day is it? Whatever days events finally replay in my mind, I hold back a groan.
When one of the phones on the coffee table lights up with a notification I finally can see enough to realize it's Adrian's chest I'm laying on, on a couch too with just enough room.
I'm more than okay with it being Adrian, thankfully.
Why though?
I see Ashton asleep in the chair by the window, wincing for him knowing how badly his back will be hurting tomorrow, or today, whatever.
My head hurts so bad. Everything hurts so bad. I broke my hand?
Dad, broke your hand.
I sigh, just remaining on Adrian comfortably. Until all the worries come crashing through me, along with a surge of pain when Adrian stirs in his sleep causing me to move a bit.
Whatever the day was events are mostly a haze, the only things I'm able to fully recall is how I've ended up in so much fucking pain.
He smashed my hand in the door, after calling me a whore, just for getting a ride home with a boy.
Lovely.
Then, he kicked me to the ground, doing his usual beating to my stomach and all, but he went on for longer this time. Also, banged my head into the floor, the reasoning for the horrible headache I've still got. And several punches happened, from what I remember.
I remember the hospital a bit, thankful for someone's brother who knew someone who would mind their business or something, I can't remember much. They didn't report it, whoever took care of me, didn't even ask for insurance or anything towards payments.
Thank fuck for them, seriously.
I look down at my hand in the cast laying against Adrian's stomach, wondering what color the cast is but am unable to see that much.
Seriously, you're wondering about the color of your cast of all things right now?
Then I worry about dad, what's going to happen, all that. He didn't kick me out, I just left. I knew I needed help for my wrist though, so I texted Adrian.
I trust him.
I didn't expect Ashton to be with him, but he was. Now I remember him being the one to find the doctor to mind their own business, so I'm thankful he was with Adrian.
I know I have to go home, and I know that'll cost me the beating of a lifetime. Fuck me.
I focus on Adrian's heartbeat, tearing myself away from the worries and panic coursing through me of the thoughts of what'll happen when I go home.
I jump when I feel a hand rubbing up and down my arm, a familiar touch. Adrian. "How're you feeling?"
His voice is deep from sleep just like when we woke up at the party. That's h-now really isn't the time. I shrug, trying to focus on literally anything except the pain.
"Do you want some more ibuprofen? Did it help earlier?" I nod even though I don't remember even taking any ibuprofen, hoping it'll help.
He nods as he seems to still be waking up, moving to get up anyways. He slowly and gently slides out from under me as I try to help but tears spring my eyes, Adrian apologizing a million times even though it's not his fault.
He's gone for just a minute, coming back with a glass of water and placing the pills in my hand. I can't even move to sit up properly unless I want to start crying from pain again, so he helps me, holding the water for me and all.
As he sets the glass on the coffee table I point to the phones, all of ours I assume, trying to ask what time it is. He holds what I think is his own phone up, showing me that it's just 4am.
"Are you hungry? You fell asleep before the pizza got here and we didn't want to wake you." I shake my head despite that I'm starving, knowing I won't be able to eat much because just the thought of eating right now has me gagging. I'm so hungry yet can't bare the thought of eating at this moment? It's probably all the pain.
Adrian sits on the very edge of the couch, adjusting the pillow under my head and fixing the blanket over me. I try to smile in thanks, genuinely wanting to smile, but even that hurts.
I don't even want to know what damage was done to my face thanks to dad.
"Well..." Adrian pauses, not knowing what else to say or ask or do, Ashton still dead asleep in the chair across the room. "Do you want to go back to sleep?"
I nod right away, desperately needing more sleep already, not having a care in the world for thoughts towards dad currently. But I narrow my eyes, wondering why Adrian's tossing another blanket and pillow on the ground.
He frowns when he sees that from me, quickly explaining. "I thought you'd be more comfortable without me this time, with your uh... you know." He means with how badly my body is damaged currently, I assume. "I stayed with you on the couch because you wouldn't let me leave, holding tight to me despite any pain it caused you to be sharing such a small space with another person." My face flames and he chuckles. "It was cute."
Now my entire body from head to toe flames as I hide my face away in the pillow, holding back a groan.
Thank god it's dark in here, hiding my tomato looking face.
When Adrian lays down on the floor that I'm sure is uncomfortable, I hate the feeling of not being in his arms.
Why? Now you're wanting to be in his arms?
He lays just in front of the couch on his back, looking up at me when I move to look down at him. "What's wrong?"
I shake my head, reaching down for his hand that he immediately gives. I hold tight onto his hand, needing the reassurance that he's still there for some odd fucking reason, as I drift back to sleep quickly.
The next time I wake up it's to the sun beaming right in my face, making me turn which I immediately regret as my body trembles from pain.
I feel something pull my hand and I jump, only to see Adrian holding my hand. Still. From his spot on the ground where he's slept. He doesn't let go though, even as he stirs.
"Did I wake you? I'm sorry, shit." I jump at Ashton's voice, only now seeing him standing in front of the chair he slept in with his phone up like he was taking a picture. I narrow my eyes and he pales. "I wasn't being creepy, I swear. Y-You guys were fast asleep, still holding hands and it was just too cute to not take a picture."
Never in my life did I think I'd ever hear Ashton say the word cute.
I just nod, wanting to sit up but not even trying as I still hold onto Adrian's hand wishing the pain would stop.
Ashton walks over and shows me his phone, the picture of me and Adrian on it. I actually smile, despite it hurting to do so, genuinely loving the picture. Thankfully, my hair was scattered all over, covering my very bruised face.
At least I assume it's bruised, I haven't had a chance to look at the damage that's been done to my body.
"I'll send it to you." Ashton smiles down at me and I wonder what's got him in such a good mood for once, like genuinely a good mood. Why is he being so nice. It's not like him. I mean he is nice, but not like... nice. Something's different.
He seems to be happy at times, when he's around all of us smiling away but I can differentiate the genuine and fake smiles. Most of his are fake, besides when he's around all of us it seems. When it's quiet or he's not around many others, like when we're in math class together, he just goes silent and scowls away like he's pissed at the world.
I wonder what his story is.
We've all gone through some shit, so I want to know his. Of course I won't just ask though, if he'd want me to know he'd tell me.
"Are you hungry? You didn't eat last night, and I was gonna go make some eggs or something. You want some?" He rushes all the words out at once, and I nod, hearing his tone so soft now.
He goes to walk out of the unfamiliar doorway, making me realize now that I don't know who's house we're at at all, but pauses quickly.
"How're you feeling? Do you need anything? Medicine or uh... just anything?" I shake my head and he nods, walking back out this time as I still just lay there, unmoving.
I let go of Adrian's hand finally even thought I don't want to, pulling it and laying it under my pillow. My casted hand remains at my side. I try to sit up again but I fail, whimpering.
"Liv?" A quiet but deep voice says and I know it's Adrian. "You okay?"
I hum in response but he still sits up, rubbing his eyes as he turns away from the still beaming sun. He turns his attention to me, seeing how I'm sprawled out of the couch, struggling to sit up.
"Let me help," he whispers. I let him, shockingly. I can't ignore the pain like I'd usually do, twisting onto my side with his help, my eyes filling with tears and he apologizes a million times. He gently pulls my legs over, letting them hang off the couch as he helps me pull myself up to fully sit up, my back slumping.
He stands after, only to sit right back down next to me on the couch as I try to calm down from the pain, my entire body trembling as I listen to his apologies even though, as always, it's not his fault.
He tucks my hair behind my ear, my tangled and now dirty hair. He holds my hand, my good one, my right one. Thank fuck my left hand is broken and not my right.
Even though neither should be broken.
I lean my head on his shoulder, taking all the support he'll give for my body as his thumb strokes my knuckles. I feel his lips on my forehead, my entire face flushing.
Oh my.
The pain is so much worse than yesterday, or whenever. I still don't even know the day or time.
Fuck. What about school? How long have I been away from the house?
Dads gonna fucking kill me. I have to go home.
Stay put, you can't go back there.
I have to.
You can't go back. Adrian knows, Ashton knows, let them help.
They've helped more than enough now.
"Lover boy finally awake?" I jump when Ashton walks in, smiling at Adrian and I'm confused with Lover boy. Adrian just nods, tightening his hold on my hand, telling me it's okay. "I made some breakfast. You've really gotta go to the store, Adrian."
"Yeah," Adrian agrees. Ashton goes quiet, walking back to what I assume is the kitchen.
But he quickly calls out, "I called school for all of us, don't worry."
One less thing for me to worry about, for now.
I slump against the back of the couch, my body continuing to tremble in pain as Adrian hands me my phone, if I have anything to say or tell him.
I check my phone, 10:07am. And it's just November 1st, not a full day has even passed. I sigh, no longer confused on the days or time anymore.
But I see multiple texts, and missed calls? Anyone who has my number knows I don't talk and therefore wouldn't call because of that.
It's dad. 6 missed calls from dad. I should've known.
Also several texts calling me a whore, demanding I come home, saying what a waste of a daughter I am.
I've grown used to his harsh words over the years but it still hurts, so much, even if I act as though it doesn't. I don't know why he can't just love me, like he used to. That's all I ask of him, to just treat me like his daughter.
The other texts are from Divine, but I'm too scared to read them, worried about if Ashton or Adrian told them about what happened.
I remember last night, the horrid memories hitting me and making me flinch literally. I don't even remember why he went this far.
He doesn't need a reason to beat the shit out of his daughter. No matter what, it's unacceptable.
I'm sure it was because he saw me with Adrian.
Oh. Now I remember it was. All because I accept the rides he offers.
"You okay?" I show Adrian my phone, his jaw clenching when he reads the harsh texts from dad. "You're not going back, okay?"
I don't want to, I really fucking don't. But I know going back will end up being the smart choice in the long run.
"Liv..." He sighs when I give no type of response to him but quickly shakes his head. "Let's go see what he made for breakfast."
I nod and he stands, but when I do I just fall right back onto the couch, my body still trembling in pain. Adrian helps me up, steadying me as I make it to my feet. He wraps an arm around my waist and I ignore the flutters in my stomach. He walks slowly with me, keeping me up right on my feet as the trembling threatens to put me down, letting me squeeze his hand when the pain is too much.
When we finally get to the kitchen, he helps me sit in one of the chairs at the table, pushing it in for me. Ashton's previous smile is gone as he places a plate in front of me full of eggs and toast.
"Uh there's water and... tea, milk? What do you want to drink?" I just hold one finger up, saying water, he nods and gets me some. I painfully smile in thanks, so happy when he places the bottle of ibuprofen down too.
"Chef Ashton, hmm?" Adrian and Ashton chuckle as he places another plate in front of Adrian and sets across from us.
Ashton and Adrian dig into their own food, as I sit there, completely still. I take a few pills out of the bottle, quickly taking them. I almost spill the water with how much my hand is shaking. It takes me a minute to be able to even eat while tolerating the pain.
We eat in silence and I hate it, because this isn't the usual comfortable silence we have. There's so much tension and I know why.
Me.
"I'll take that." Adrian grabs my plate, him and Ashton going over to wash the dishes.
After a couple minutes of sitting and trying to get up I finally succeed, walking over and trying to help them with the dishes. They've done so fucking much for me in the last day, I've gotta help with something.
"Hey, hey. No. Go sit back down, we've got this, okay?" Adrian doesn't let me even pick up a fork to help, shooing me back.
My body knows the right choice is to sit down, my chest heaving as I try to drag in as much air as I can, but I can't make my feet go back over to the chair. I ignore Adrian and Ashton trying to urge me away, as I go to just dry the dishes remembering my left hand being in a cast.
Ashton's phone rings, him walking out back to the living room I assume. Adrian stands behind me, his hand on my lower back as I ignore the flutters once again. He takes the towel from me, taking over drying them and I sigh. I wasn't doing a very good job anyways.
Ashton walks back in the kitchen, saying, "Divine's coming over."
I smile, wanting to see her, until I remember the state my body is in. She can't see me like this. And I think about how it's Tuesday, she should be in school, just like we are supposed to be too but... yeah, I realize why she's coming over.
They told her. They have to have told her, right?
My smile quickly fades, because for one, it hurt to just lift my lips, and two, after my realization. I search Ashton and Adrian's faces as they look right back at me, and I practically get it confirmed from their looks.
I sigh, wincing at the burning in my chest. Adrian speaks up first, "Liv, we're sorry we just... I know it wasn't our place to tell but she was worried as hell, we couldn't not tell her."
I just nod, worrying if she's said anything to her mom or what's to happen. I don't know what Mrs. Abara would do if Divine were to tell her. I can't see her calling social services or anything right away, but I also do. Fuck.
With Adrian's hand still on my back, I pull my phone out, typing-Where's a bathroom?
"Upstairs, the first door you see will be it." I nod, slowly walking and wincing in pain. "Do you need help?" I shake my head, even though help would be amazing right now, I don't want it.
After finally making it to the bathroom, I shut and lock the door, turning the light on, preparing to see how shitty I look now.
Oh fuck. It's bad.
My eyes are so swollen, colored black and blue completely. My jaw is, once again, dark purple. There's a scab on my lip, probably from when he backhanded me. Okay, so, my face is nearly entirely bruised. Then, my neck has marks all around it, worse now. I don't even remember how I ended up with some of these. My hair is so tangled, probably from when he decided to drag me to my feet by grabbing my hair. At least I don't have a patch of hair missing, I guess.
I hesitate on lifting my shirt, but I do anyway, after taking the bandage around my ribs off. My hand trembles as I do so, the bruising worse than it has been in a while. The bruising is so bad it's become completely black, no wonder it hurts to simply just breathe.
But it always hurts to just breathe.
Well, it's worse than ever now.
I wince when I wipe at the tears that fall, from both pain and seeing how bad it got this time. He never goes this bad towards my face, it's like he's starting to not care at all if anyone finds out.
I move past the mirror, finally doing what I came up to do and pee. There's just a bruise on my thigh, but I'm sure there's more down my legs, and plenty more scattering my arms. I don't need to look to know that.
After washing my hands, or one hand and the fingers of the other-I've gotta learn how to do things with a cast-, I slowly make my way back to the kitchen, until I hear a knock on the door. I debate on going to the door, the stairs being right there by it, until Ashton's turning the corner making me nearly shit myself, not expecting him.
"Shit, I'm sorry, sorry. Are you okay?" He quickly rushes the words out at once and I just nod, holding onto the railing on the last step, once again trembling in pain-and because he genuinely did scare me, not purposely at least. He hesitates, nodding while muttering more apologies, then turning to the door.
It's Divine.
She doesn't bother listening to Ashton's greeting when he opens the door, pushing right past him searching something, or someone-me. Her face falls when she sees me on the last step.
"Olivia," she gasps, seeing the sight of me more than likely being the reason. She rushes to me, stopping herself from pulling me into a hug, probably too worried she'll hurt me. "Oh god..."
Her hands rests on my shoulders, her eyes watering as she looks down at me as I take the last step. I hug her instead, needing one of hers now that she knows, my chest heavy. I wrap my arms around her as she hesitates for a moment, then gently wraps her arms around me. I relax into the hug.
"I knew it," she whispers to herself more than me, her voice shaking. She pulls away, pushing away my hair and cupping the sides of my face, so gently wiping the tears I hadn't realized were falling-as I now realize Adrian's standing with Ashton now.