Chapter Two Skate Park

Disclaimer: I forgot to state this in the first chapter but I don't own any characters of House…and that goes for the rest of the story.

Robert woke up pretty late and made his way down to the kitchen. It was an early Sunday afternoon, the last day of summer vacation. Robert and his friends had decided to spend their last day of freedom over at the skate park Robert's favorite place in the whole world aside from Taylor's house. Everytime he went over; Mrs. Anderson would stuff him with food and spoil him with hugs. It was as if she was trying to replace the absence of his mother. Robert knew they were great friends before mom left.

He stepped into the kitchen and was slightly taken aback to see his father's girlfriend Rachel Woods; eating lunch at the table with him. He didn't know why he felt so surprised to see her. She was always here but he just couldn't get used to the fact that father was dating her.

Can't she see that Father looks hungover? Does she even know of his drinking problem? Probably not or if she did, she didn't care.

Robert eyed her carefully as he began to make himself a sandwich before he left. He briefly remembered she was the woman he caught his father with in the living room when he was nine.

"I'm glad to see you have finally chosen to grace us with your presence," his father snapped from the table. Clearly his hangover was making him grumpy and he was now taking his bad mood out on Robert.

"What have I told you about sleeping all morning? Have you've been out late again?"

Robert finished making his turkey sandwich but didn't turn around to face his father.

"No I was here all night. I just fell asleep late," Robert lied. His voice barley controlled to keep from shouting. His father was always nagging him about going out with his friends. Even if he was home by eight his father still shouted at him for being late.

Actually the truth was that Robert spent the whole night at Taylor's.

She was his best friend and whenever his father was passed out or completely wasted that was where Robert went to escape from it all.

Blocking out his Father's ongoing lecture; Robert smiled at the thought of Taylor, her blue eyes, her smile and long brown hair. When he was with her; he can forget all about his father being drunk at home as they always spent the whole night watching movies or playing monopoly (their favorite game since they were kids).

He was really quite amazed that father hadn't found out about his late night disappearances or Taylor's parents finding out about his visits to their daughter's room for that matter. Besides they weren't doing anything bad they were just best friends but if both their parents find out they wouldn't see it like that so Taylor and Robert both kept those nights a secret from them.

"Robert! Look at your father when he's speaking to you! Don't be disrespectful you little twerp!" Rachel snapped.

Robert balled up his fist. Hate for her surged through him and before Robert could stop himself he turned around and said to his father "What is she doing here?"

Rachel glared at Robert as father stopped his lecture and pierced him with a warning stare.

"Don't speak to Rachel like that boy. Apologize now!"

"No! She's the one who needs to apologize! She called me a twerp!"

"She is an adult and my girlfriend therefore you must respect her so apologize now!"

Father stood up and took a threatening step towards him. Robert stepped back until he felt the edge of the counter pressing into his back.

Respect? I have to show that bitch respect?! Over my dead fucken body!

"No," Robert stated firmly.

He really wished he had the balls to say what he was actually thinking.

Father slapped him across the face.

That just made Robert angrier and he felt rebellious which ment he was about to say something stupid.

"Why do you even have a girlfriend anyways?"

"That's enough boy!" his father warned in a threatening tone.

"No! You're just going to end up beating the crap out of her like you did to mom!"

"Fucken little shit!" Father shouted and grabbed Robert by the hair and threw him against the wall.

"Don't you dare shout at me like that and don't you ever mention that slut in my house again!"

"Why?" Robert shouted once he caught his breath. "You mentioned her last night so why can't I?"

"Don't you smart mouth me!" he socked Robert in the stomach causing Robert to start coughing and gasping for air.

Robert half expected Rachel to stop father from beating him, to get the hint that he was dangerous but she didn't.

She never stopped the beatings.

She always enjoyed watching Robert get the living daylights socked out of him. She hated Robert as much as he hated her and she always stated smugly after each beating that Robert deserved to be "Punished."

"Get out of here!" Father shouted once the beating was finally over. "I'll deal with you later tonight."

Ignoring his father's words and Rachel's smug statements of: "Rowan you got to keep that brat in his place. Maybe the belt will do it." Robert left the kitchen and grabbed his skateboard.

He didn't even dare go back into the kitchen to get his sandwich. It didn't matter anyways, he wasn't hungry anymore.

Despite his throbbing new bruises; Robert couldn't help but notice the nice day outside as he walked to the skate park with his board tucked under his arm. He was running pretty late and he didn't bother waiting for Taylor, assuming she was probably already over there with Chris.

Robert frowned.

Taylor was going to find out what he did to himself. She could read him like a book, something that annoyed Robert sometimes but then he was grateful that she knew what he was feeling, especially after a terrible beating from his father because then he didn't have to talk about it.

Robert tugged down his long sleeves making sure that the red angry cuts on his arms were completely covered. Guilt for what he did was starting to make him feel a little nauseas and he just hoped that Taylor wouldn't find out.

After five minutes of walking he finally reached the park and waved to his best friends in greeting. They were sitting down on the grass under their favorite tree waiting for him.

Chris with his dark messy hair and brown eyes; laughing at the antics of the other kids in the park.

Taylor with her long brown hair and blue eyes as she strummed a few chords on her guitar.

"Hey guys," Robert greeted as he sat down on his skateboard next to Taylor.

"What kept you Robert?" Chris asked.

Robert shrugged "My father made me clean my room first."

The lie came easy, quick; it slipped off Robert's tongue without a second thought about it.

Back then when Robert was younger he hated lying to Chris. He always felt guilty for the fake reasons he told him to explain all his cuts and bruises, but now... now Robert has told so many lies to Chris of why he had a new bruise everyday Robert didn't think much about it anymore.

Taylor knew. She knew where all the bruises came from and she didn't like that Robert was lying. She wanted him to tell Chris the truth because they were best friends and Chris would understand but Robert had a feeling it was not that simple. Chris will never understand especially all the lies Robert has been telling him.

Taylor gave Robert a pointed look. She knew that was a lie so he looked away from her and smiled to Chris "Come on lets go skate!"

"Okay!" Chris leapt to his feet and skated towards the ramps. Robert got up as well.

"You coming, Tay?"

Taylor strummed her guitar. "When are you going to tell Chris the truth about your father?"

Robert looked back at his friend who was already skating back and forth on the ramp, the wheels of his board grinding the warped wood.

"Tay not now..." he groaned.

"That's what you said six years ago," she sighed.

"Taylor you don't understand. Chris is not like you, he won't react like you did."

She looked up at him "He's your best friend."

"Exactly!" Robert said as he tugged down his sleeves, making sure his arms were still fully covered. "What if I tell him? He won't want to be best friends anymore."

Taylor gave him an exasperated look. "Robert ..."

"Hey Robert!" Chris called out. "What's taking you so long? Come on!"

Robert grabbed his board and ran towards the ramp leaving Taylor with her guitar. He was glad of the escape of having a repeated conversation again.

Why can't she just leave me alone about it… I'm not telling Chris about his! She's crazy!

"Sorry I was talking to Tay," Robert apologized as he stepped onto his board. "Come on I'll race you to the other side!"

He skated down the other end at full speed. The wind blew through his hair, hitting his face gently and Robert felt as if he can forget about everything and the only thing that existed was his skateboard and the wind as he skated back and forth, vaguely aware of Chris trying to keep up behind once they were too tired to skate they plopped down on the edge of the ramp together out of breath and sweaty from the late warm summer air.

"Can't believe summers over already," Chris moaned.

"Yeah."

"Do you think Mary Sullivan will take notice of me this year? I swear I grew taller since last year."

Robert laughed "I don't know Chris I heard she might be interested in Evan this year."

"You got to be kidding! Who told you that?!"

"Tay."

Chris snorted at Robert's answer and spun the wheels on his skateboard.

"Look who's here" he grumbled.

Robert turned to who Chris was looking at and sure enough Evan Cooper and his group of friends were making their way through the park.

Evan Cooper...

He and Robert had hated each other since elementary school. He had made fun of Robert for his cuts and bruises making fun of him for his supposed clumsiness. He made Robert's and Chris's life miserable since kinder until for a while during 4th grade after a fight Evan and Robert had; Evan witness Robert's father "punishing" him.

Evan was shocked for what he had seen and had even tried to help Robert out and apologize for all the terrible things he had done but Robert rejected his apology and pushed Evan away. Robert knew Evan meant well but Robert was too angry at the time to deal with him and plus he didn't want Evan's friendship out of pity. Evan's act of being nice had only lasted that one year then right after that at the start of 5th grade he went back to his old bullying ways.

"Crap," Robert muttered. "Wanna get out of here?"

He didn't feel like dealing with Evan today, especially after what happened this morning.

"Okay let's go get Tay and we can go get some pizza," Chris said as he and Robert got up.

They were halfway back to Taylor when "Hey Chase! Chase!"

"Fuck! Just keep walking!" Robert muttered.

"Where you going Chase? To your mommy? Oh no wait she left!" he laughed as his friends behind him laughed stupidly along with him.

"Just ignore him Robert," Taylor said once they reached her and they began to walk out of the park.

"Come on Chase what's wrong? Your Mommy didn't love you enough to stick around?!" Robert stopped walking and turned abruptly around.

"Robert no!" Taylor pleaded "Please ignore him!"

"But Taylor that jerk is having a go at his mom!" Chris said.

"I know but it'll be stupid to get into a fight! Please ignore him Robert come on let's go!"

She tugged on his arm trying to get him to turn around and start walking again. Robert ignored his friends and glared at Evan who was now standing in front of him,his group of idiot friends behind him. "Don't talk about my mom Cooper," Robert said in a barely controlled voice.

"Oh and what are you gonna do about it Chase? Go crying to Taylor's mommy because you don't have one?"

Robert lost control and socked Evan right in the jaw causing Evan to fall to the ground. Taylor and Chris grabbed Robert to prevent him from hitting Evan again.

"You guys let me go!" he shouted.

"No Robert! Come on!" Taylor pleaded pulling him away.

"Yeah mate…Tays right. Come on he's not worth it. Think of what your father will do when he finds out about this."

"I don't care! Evan insulted my mom!"

"Come on Robert!" Taylor pleaded.

Robert glared down at Evan, mutual dislike hanging in the air between them "You better listen to your little girlfriend Chase," he sneered before getting up and walking away with his group.

Robert didn't stay behind to watch them leave, he quickly turned around and stalked angrily out of the park.

"Robert ..." Taylor said breaking their tensed silence.

Robert could feel it.

He needed to cut, to get out the pain and anger Evan's words had brought him.

"I'm going home," he snapped a little harder than he had intended too.

Ignoring the hurt looks on his friends; Robert got onto his skateboard and skated home as fast he could. When he got there he suddenly realized that he did not want to be there. He was about to skate away to some other place when he realized his knife was there, the only thing that will bring him relief.

"Fuck," Robert murmured under his breath.

He could just go in that house and deal with his father for what happened his morning just so he can grab his knife and go somewhere else. It seemed like a heavy price to pay just so he can satisfy the burning need he was feeling right now but he had to cut...

He needed to...so badly…

Robert hesitated for a few minutes not sure what to do until the burning itch of needing to cut finally took over and he ran up the porch and into the house.

The house seemed empty but Robert didn't want to take any chances so he ran quickly up to his room to grab his knife and leave.

"Robert!" father shouted.

"Fuck," Robert muttered.

He was barely halfway through his bedroom door. His father's heavy footsteps thundered on the stairs. Robert stepped inside and took slow steps until he was standing in front of his bed, his breath coming out slowly as he waited for father to appear through the doorway.

"What do you got to say for yourself for what happen this morning?" Father shouted as he came into the room.

"She started it," Robert said stiffly.

Father slapped his face "You little liar!"

Robert glared at him.

"And how dare you mention that slut in front of Rachel!"

"Mom wasn't a slut!" Robert said.

"Stop back talking you ungrateful little bastard!" Father pushed him to the floor and kicked Robert in the ribs. Robert tried to push his father away but it was no use. The kicking continued for another few minutes until his father pulled Robert up by the hair.

"Now I want you to apologize to Rachel tomorrow got it you good for nothing little bastard?!"

He let go of Robert's hair and it was all he could do to keep himself from falling let alone stand on his own. His ribs were hurting so bad and it took all he had to glare at his father and say "No."

"Why you little!" Father socked his stomach and Robert double over and gagged.

When he finally gained control of his breathing Robert looked up at his father and shouted "Why do you even have a girlfriend! It's like I said earlier father! As soon as you're tired of fucking her you're going to start beating her just like you did to mom!"

"Robert Chase!" his father yelled grabbing him by his neck and slamming him against the wall. "The reason I beat your mom was because she was a dirty slut who deserved it!"

His hands wrapped harder around Robert's neck. Gasping for air; he tried to pry father's fingers off.

"Let go," Robert gasped. "Please let go..."

But it was no use pleading anymore. His father's hands tightened until dark spots began to cloud Robert's eye sight.

"I'll only let go when you admit you were being an idiot and agree to apologize to Rachel for being a smart mouth little brat this morning!"

Robert coughed and gasped for air managing to say a small "Yes sir."

Finally father let go of him and Robert slid down to the floor, still fighting to breathe. His father knelt down and grabbed his chin forcing Robert to look straight up at him.

"Now you listen to me Robert," father growled. "I don't know if this is some kind of phase you're going through but lately you been talking back, disrespecting me and Rachel and it's time you snap out of It!"

Robert glared at his father and was about to give out an angry retort but his father tightened his hold on him.

"And it's time you get your act together and stop daydreaming about your little slut mother coming back one day for you because she is Not. Coming. Back! You have to start accepting that she left you Robert. If she really did love you then she wouldn't have left. It's obvious she didn't love a little shit like you."

Robert met his father's eyes for a second before looking away.

He's right...

"This time I'm letting you off easy but if you can't control that mouth of yours, next time it'll be my belt whipping sense into that dumb head of yours!"

Father let go of Robert's chin and stood up and pulled out his wallet and tossed Robert a couple of twenties.

"Go out with your friends tonight," he said as he left, closing the door softly behind him.

Robert picked up the twenties and looked at them in confusion. His father hated when he went out and now after a punishment he gave him money so he can? Robert quickly pocketed the money and stood up.

His whole body was shaking and his neck was aching from the pressure of father's hands. Trying to ignore the uncomfortable pain in his stomach, ribs, and neck; Robert quickly opened his dresser grabbed his knife and left the house.

The sun was going down as Robert walked slowly back to the skate park. There was really no other place to go anyways.

He clenched the knife in his pocket; Anxiety filled him up as the silver blade cut into the palm of his hand barley suppressed the urge to give in.

Oh ...how badly Robert needed to cut…

His body was shaking so hard It was all he could do keep himself from pulling out the knife and cut in the middle of the street.

It was a relief to Robert to finally reach the park; the loom of the ramps standing out, big and gleaming under the moonlight casting dark shadows around them. Robert climbed onto the ramp and sat down, his legs swinging of the edge as he held the knife to his wrist and cut a thin line into the delicate skin.

Pain immediately flared up and Robert welcomed the pain as he cut another line next to it along with the others he did the other night.

His father's words rang in his ears as he cut another straight line in his skin.

Father couldn't have been right. Mom loved him, she always protected him. Father was wrong, he was wrong but Robert couldn't convince himself.

The truths in his father's words were seeping into his heart and mind, seeping in as fast as his blood was seeping out of the cuts he had made.

Father's right... Mom never loved me...

There was a snap of a twig. A bush rustled behind him causing Robert to jump and he stood up quickly his hand closed tightly around his knife.

"Who's there?" he shouted out.

His voice rang out in the warm night air. "Show yourself!"

There was silence only the steady drip of Robert's blood falling onto the wooden ramp. Robert stared hard into the trees trying to catch any sign of movement when finally a voice cautiously said

"Put the knife away Chase. It's only me."

Thanks for the Reviews I hope I get more lol

Chase's Girl19