This is a story about abuse. For some people, they escape from abuse and are fine, physically at least. Emotionally, they are probably not okay, but eventually that is helped if they go to therapy or just…talk about it with someone they care. A lot of people think that physical abuse is the only kind of abuse, and the worst kind. But emotional abuse can be worse, because words can brainwash you. The bruises from physical abuse will fade, but the words from emotional abuse will most likely be remembered forever.
Chase's POV:
I watched Andie walk by, her eyes staring at the ground. Ever since the moment I saw her dance, she captivated me. The way she moved was flawless, effortless and beautiful. I tried to talk to her but she never even replied. More then not replying, it seemed like she didn't even hear me. But I know she did-she isn't deaf. She responds to questions that teachers ask, questions that a select few people ask. Moose is one of the few people she spends time with, one of the few people she talks to, laughs with. Cable and Monster are the others. Cable is a good friend of mine, but he and Andie get on like a house on fire, to quote an old phrase.
"Chase, wait up." A voice called after me. I turned around to spot none other then Cable.
"Cable, hey. What's up?" I inquire.
"Not much, how about you?" Cable responds.
"Not much. Cable, have you been hanging out with Andie lately?" I ask.
"Yeah, why?" Cable answers.
"Why does she only talk to you, Monster and Moose?" I question.
"She just does, Chase. That's Andie. Maybe someday she'll talk to you. She's spoken about you, you know." Cable said.
"What has she said?" I ask.
"Just who you are, what type of dance you do, how old you are-the usual." Cable replied.
"What did you tell her?" I said.
"That you were the biggest snob in the whole school." Cable said, grinning.
"Cable! Seriously, what did you tell her?" I ask.
"That you're Director Collins younger brother, you street dance, and you're eighteen." Cable answered.
"It could've been worse. What do you know about her?" I inquire.
"Andie is an amazing street dancer-but that's not all she does. She does modern dance-not street, but not ballet either. Her modern dance is amazing. She's shy and doesn't really like meeting new people. She lives with her dad-her mom died when she was sixteen." Cable murmured.
"Thanks, Cable." I muttered.
"Wait, Chase. Why do you want to know about her?" Cable asked.
"She's amazing. I'm just curious." I answered.
"Can I tell her you said that?" Cable inquired.
"Sure, whatever, Cable." I muttered distractedly.
I wandered off to class, my mind directed at Andie West. It was so concentrated on her that I didn't see where I was going. I ended up walking into someone, a very small person. She fell to the ground, and gasped in pain. Her narrow arms encircled her ribs, as if she was trying to hold herself together.
"Are you okay, Andie?" I asked, kneeling in front of her.
"I'm fine." Andie managed to gasp, her eyes filling with tears.
"Andie, what's wrong?" I asked, getting increasingly worried.
"Get Monster." Andie whispered.
"Okay, but I'm not leaving you alone." I said, gently picking her up. Andie exhaled sharply, her body tensing. I walked down the hall, looking for Monster. Andie's small body was tense, her eyes closed and her breathing shallow.
"Monster." I said, looking at his retreating back.
"Chase?" Monster inquired, turning around. His eyes went wide when he saw whom I was holding, and he walked very quickly over to us. I gently put Andie down, and she went straight to Monster, and she wrapped her arms around him and he wrapped his arms around her.
"Are you alright?" Monster asked Andie.
"Chase accidently ran into me, and it hurt so much, and it reminded me…of him…." Andie whispered, then pressed her face against Monster's chest, and I could hear her quiet sobs.
"Shhh, Andie, it's going to be fine. He's not here, and you're perfectly safe. Chase is a good person." Monster answered. I shot Monster a quizzical look, and he mouthed that he would tell me later. I nodded back, and watched Andie and Monster interact. Monster held her as if he wanted to protect her from the world, and Andie clung to him like he was a life preserver. Eventually, Andie let go of Monster and wiped her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Monster. Thank you." Andie whispered, and smiled a tiny smile. It looked like she had forgotten how to smile, and was only relearning now.
"Anytime, Andie. I'm always here for you." Monster replied.
"Thank you for finding Monster, Chase." Andie whispered, shyly.
"Your welcome, Andie." I replied, wondering what was with Andie and what Monster, Moose and Cable knew that made Andie so close with them.
"Thank you, Monster. I've got to go to dance class, or else Director Collins will be unhappy." Andie whispered, then hugged Monster again and walked away.
"Monster, what is her story?" I inquired as soon as Andie was out of sight.
"Andie's mother died when she was younger, about sixteen. She lives with her father, who, after her mother's death, started drinking heavily. Whenever he gets really drunk-which is basically every day-he takes out everything on Andie." Monster whispered.
"He hits her?" I angrily inquired.
"Yeah, he does. She didn't tell us that she was being abused, we just found out. Her dad hit her some place that she couldn't easily cover up, and that's how Cable, Moose and I found out. You can't tell anyone, Chase. Promise me." Monster explained.
"Is she eighteen yet?" I asked.
"She'll be eighteen next month." Monster replied.
"Is she thinking about moving out?" I inquired.
"Yeah, she's going to move out. She just doesn't have anywhere to stay." Monster said.
"She can stay with me." I murmured.
"Oh. I'll tell her that, then." Monster replied.
"Thanks, Monster." I replied, and then walked away, wrapped up in my thoughts.