A/N: sorry, my computer had no internet connection for about, I don't know I think a few days after I last updated. Only sometimes it worked, that's why I only updated my other story. So hope you enjoy this chapter and I'll try not to take long again with the next update. Oh if I put anything about evanescence in here it because I'm listening to them, so just ignore it I doubt I will though

Chapter 2 secrets are reveled

It has been a few weeks and Jeff, Matt, and I became really good, if not best friends. I go over their house every time wrestling is on, and I even got into wrestling with them. I can only do front flips and hot flips on the trampoline, but it helps me. Jeff is teaching me how to do back flips, I can't wait! School is starting soon, and Jeff and I are in the same grade, same school, so I'll at least know someone. Another awesome thing was that Jeff's birthday was yesterday, he turned fifteen. Matt got him a championship replica belt, it looks pretty cool around his waist. His dad got him face paint since he was running out, and I got him, since I can't afford much, a CD of all the bands he likes, which I seem to like too. So far though the best thing that has happened in the last few weeks is that my dad has been drinking less! I guess moving to North Carolina he has moved on with his life. Matt and Jeff still don't know about him and me, and I plan on keeping it that way. I was at their house out in the back woods watching them wrestle.

"Come on Jeff, Matt isn't that much bigger than you" I yelled encouraging Jeff who was being held in a head lock.

"Hey I thought you were my Fan" Matt yelled letting go of Jeff. I shrugged my shoulders laughing as Jeff approached Matt and turned him around punching him. Matt got up and put Jeff back in a head lock.

"Ok so maybe Matt is bigger than you" I said with a giggle. After the match, that Matt won, I decided to go home, since it was late. I went inside getting a glass of water and went over to my room. I put my water on the desk next to my bed and got my book, Bridge to Terbithia and saton the edge of my bed reading the next chapter. I got to the part where Jess went to the museum with his teacher and my door opened. I looked up and saw my dad, a half empty bottle in his hand and a beer stain on his shirt. He walked over to me and pulled me off the bed making me fall to the floor.

"Where the fuck have you been?"

"I told you, Matt and Jeff's"

"Like hell you did" he said slapping me. "Then when did you get back" I turned back to him and replied

"You saw me come in your just too drunk to remember" I spoke so clear that even he could understand it. I didn't care what he did to me, I don't like him, and never will so I might as well make sure he knows that.

"Bitch you're fucking thirteen you can't speak to me like that"



"For one I'm fourteen and second I just did, what you are going to do about it, hit me?" he didn't reply he just grabbed my arms throwing me against the wall. I just watched him as he hit me once. When he let me go I just stood there breathing heavy as if I just ran a mile. He walked out of the room and I just walked over to my bed. I love him but hate him, especially when he's drunk. I mean yea he's my father and the only parent I have, but that doesn't give him the right to hit me, right? I picked up my book as I saw I drop of blood drip from my lip. Great I'm bleeding from that bastard. I whipped away the blood and looked out the window. I looked up and saw a VERY shocked Jeff looking at me. His mouth was wide open and his hand was shaking. I shook my head and sighed and thought to myself oh great he saw, well that ruins keeping this from them. I know I said he was a good if not best friend but I still wish he didn't see. He finally blinked and looked at me. That's when the tears came. I tried my hardest to stop them from showing.

"Oh my god, Niki, are yo-you okay?" he asked still shocked

"I'm fine" I answered still hiding the tears

"Are you sure, I mean I saw what he did and you your bleeding?" he said with a concerned south accent. After that I just let them fall from my eyes. I don't think he noticed, or if he did he was too shocked to say anything.

"Yes Jeff I'm fine"

"What happened? Why did he hit you?"

"He was drunk, but Jeff just please don't tell anyone"

"What why?"

"Because I don't want him to go to Jail"

"But Niki, he just hit you"

"Jeff, you should understand, you only have your father, if he hit you, you wouldn't want him going to Jail, would you?"

"Well-"

"Exactly, he may hit me but he's the only parent I have"

"But Niki-"

"Jeff please don't tell anyone"

"But Niki-"

"Jeff please just promise you won't"

"Fine"



"Thank you"

"But I don't like it"

"It doesn't matter if you like it or not, just please don't tell"

"I won't and promise me that you will not make him mad, I know how you can be sarcastic and mean"

"Oh Jeff, stop being so nice, I know I can be a bitch at times, it's one of my specialties" we both let out a quiet laugh

"Do you promise though?"

"Yes"

"Good and remember I'll be here for you if you need me"

"Thanks, well I'm going to bed now, so night"

"Night" I closed my window and laid down and fell asleep.