"Hey, it's alright. You don't have to. I'll get your bagel," Jake said, standing.

I sniffed and looked up at him. What made him stop asking me questions? I didn't care. For once I wasn't pushed to answer.

Oh no, I told myself as a cop entered the shop. He turned to look at me before ordering.

Then Jake returned. He took his coat off and handed me the bagel. "People scare you? Is that it?" Jake asked. How could he have possibly known? I nodded. "I saw you trembling when the cop came in. Seen him before?"

"No. It's just, people assume the worst when they see me. Like I'm scum or something," I replied before biting into the bagel.

"Hey, it's okay. You don't have to be afraid."

I winced as he placed his hand on my arm. "I gotta go," I said. "It's almost dark."

"Let me walk you home. You'll be safer," Jake said, standing.

I didn't argue, so we walled outside.

—| )Jacob( |—

I was furious. What had happened to Bailey that made her so scared? I would come see her tomorrow; she needed a friend. I walked Bailey up her steps and said bye. A hint of a smile flashed across her face.

After hoping down from the porch, I stood, not sure what to do.

Sudden yelling caused me to turn around. It was Bailey's dad. I saw her through the window she was trying to explain something to him. He shook his head.

Bailey darted from the room.

A sick feeling settled in my stomach. She wasn't okay.

"Maybe I should call the police," I muttered to myself as I strode toward the road.

I got into my car and drove home.

- { [Bailey] } -

He'd been so angry at me. I hoped Jake hadn't seen it.

I'd told him I was sorry for being late. He just yelled at me and threatened to beat the life out of me.

After I slipped into my pj's, I plopped onto my bed.

Here was the only place I could be myself. Reveal the scars, no hoodie, no hiding.

I shivered from the cold that seeped through my window every night. Dad never turned on the heater. Even if it was –15˚.

An extra blanket was stuffed in my closet. I'd use it tonight for sure.

I walked to the bathroom and grabbed my toothbrush. The empty toothpaste tube lay near the sink. I picked it up and tried to get the last drop out.

No such luck.

After I brushed, I stuck my head in the sink. I used the bar of soap to wash it the best I could. I dried my hair with my only towel. Dad wouldn't get any shampoo for me so each morning at school I'd fill an empty container with soap from the bathroom. I would buy my own supplies but he takes away any money I get.

My stomach growled. I fought the pain and tried to think of something else.

Aaron.

The name brought both joy and pain to me.

He'd been my first boyfriend. It happened two years ago, my sophomore year. We fell in love. Three months into the school year, we had an affair. When I was starting to show, Father found out. He beat me worse than ever. I lost the baby. I'd cried for several months. Wondering what would've happened if I had a normal father.

But the past doesn't count.

No, the past is what makes people who they are, right?

I grabbed the blanket and scooted under the covers. A dark shadow appeared in my window. My heart beat more quickly.

I opened my mouth the yell for help. Something hard whacked me in the head.

I blacked out.