AN: I haven't updated this in a while. To tell you the truth I kind of forgot about it, but I got a review telling me I "have no choice" that I must update. lol. So I spent my weekend trying to type this up. Thank you so much for all the reviews. They make me smile.

DISCLAIMER: Again, I own nothing but the story, and Thomas. xP I just play with them.

"It-It all started when Thomas- my brother- and I were about four. Dad couldn't hold down a job, and started to drink. He-He started hitting my mom, Thomas and me. My mom left, and he threatened to kil her if she came back for us. He-He's been hurting us for so long and she didn't care. He's the reason my twin isn't alive anymore. Just since school started it's been getting worse. I-I can't even begin to tell how bad it was. My-my brother's gone, and I'm forced to endure this abuse." I tried fighting the tears away, but was unsuccessful. Zane put an arm around my shoulders. "It's okay, Eli. We won't let him hurt you again." He murmured. I looked up at the guys. "L-Last night was the worst it-it's ever been. It-It hurt so fucking bad." I sobbed, "I-I didn't want it! He-He made me! He fucking made me!" The realization dawned on them one by one. Riley, Zane, Peter, then Fitz, Sav, KC, and Drew. They got pissed. They're probably mad at me because I'm weak. I let him rape me. "No, Eli. We're not mad because of that. We're pissed because that asshole did that to you." Sav murmured gently, I guess reading my thoughts through my eyes or something. "Mind reader now, Sav?" I tried to joke. Just then, Craig walked in. "D-Don't let him near me!" I begged, staying behind Sav. I'm a fucking coward. "Dude, you better have a damn good explanation for hitting my friend." Zane exclaimed angrily. I was suprised. Riley was the one with the violent, angry reputation. According to Drew. They sort of reminded me of Clare and myself. Zane was usually against violence, just like Clare. And Riley liked getting even, like me. I guess I should know that reputations and stereotypes aren't always necessarily true. "I-I didn't-" Fitz looked up. "What! You didn't remember how it felt to be hit by your old man, then be scared shitless someone else was going to hit you! Then, you just start trusting someone, only to have them hit you!" He yelled. Hmmm, maybe Fitzy boy does care. "You have no fucking idea what happened, Mark! So stop sticking your nose in someone else's buisness! The freaking emo asked for it!" I looked up, shocked. "What the hell are you talking about!" I screamed. "Oh, you know you asked for it, emo." Craig screamed back. Did I really ask for it? "Really? What did he say? 'Oh please, Craig! Smack me hard enough to leave another bruise?' You obviously don't remember how it felt to be beaten." KC yelled. Hmmm, seems KC cares too. Weird day. "Hey, he's emo! He probably LIKES the pain!" Craig laughed. "Oh no! It just PAINS me to know you think that." I muttered sarcastically. Some of the guys chuckled at that. "Oh yeah? I'll show you pain." Craig said, as he drew his fist back. I cringed, readying myself for the blow. What I didn't see, was Fitz run between us and grab his fist. Much like I had done to him, when he tried to punch Adam. Hmm, maybe Fitzy boy really is a quick learner. Fitz lifted Craig up by his shirt. "Do it again, see what happens." Fitz threatened. I raised an eyebrow and backed away. Craig was fucking crazy. Where was Spinner? I trusted Spinner but he hadn't said or done a damn thing. I looked around. Spinner was behind the counter, on the phone. His friend almost punched me, and he's ON THE PHONE. Now, Normally I could fight, but between last night, and just being beaten by my father, I was in extreme pain. "Fine. You know what? Come on. Hit me." I gave him my death glare. Let him hit me. I have witnesses. "Oh, big man, now that you have your protectors?" Craig taunted. I raised my eyebrow. Time to pull the cops on Craig. Just like I did to Fitz a few months ago. I looked at Sav, who had his phone out. He nodded, slightly. Craig pulled his fist back and punched me in my already bruised jaw. Pain exploded in my mouth. Zane and Riley went to attack him, while Drew came towards me. "Don't bother, guys. I'm just gonna go catch up with Clare and Adam. Meet me at my house at 3:45." I said, shooting Sav a look, and left without waiting for an answer. Drew and Peter came running out. "Mind if we tag along?" Peter asked. I nodded and got in Morty. Peter got in the passenger side, while Drew climbed in the back. Haha, Sucker. I turned my car on, put my music up, and drove towards Degrassi. It was just about time for them to come out, so Peter and I waited by the front. Drew didn't really want to run into Alli just yet. Soon, I spotted Adam, and Clare walking together. The second they saw me, Clare ran and hugged me tightly. I cringed away from the contact as pain radiated through my body. Their eyes widened. "Get in. We're meeting some of the guys at my house." I muttered. Clare looked towards Peter, and smiled politely. "Hey, Peter." He smiled. "Hey, Baby Edwards." We all walked to Morty and got in. Clare climbed in the passenger seat, as Drew, Adam, and Peter sat in the back. The drive to my now empty house was quiet, besides my Dead Hand CD. I parked, and before she could, I opened Clare's door for her. We all went into my house. After only a couple minutes, the silence was freaking me out. I felt like my dad could pop up at any second, yet I don't want to let them in my room. There was still some blood in the corner. My blood. "What's this about, Eli?" Clare asked, breaking through my thoughts, while looking around. My house wasn't exactly homey. You could still smell the alcohol. "Well, you deserve to know the truth. Drew, Peter, Sav, KC, Fitz, Riley, Zane, and Spinner know. All of them, except Spinner found out today." I muttered. Peter put a hand on my shoulder for support. Drew did the same. "Since I was little, my parents had been fighting alot. My dad couldn't hold down a job, so he turned to drinking. He became...violent. Towards my family. Mom couldn't handle it and left. She said he threatened to kill her if she ever came back. I was left with my dad. Sooner or later, he was just drunk and abusive all the time. Just recently the abuse started to get worse. He-He...I didn't want it. I didn't want any of it. Please believe me." I cried, holding back the part about my twin for now. Clare's eyes widened. Forever the smart one. Even if it's not for her benefit. She gave me a gentle hug. "Eli, why didn't you tell us?" She begged, with tears running down her face. "I was ashamed. I didn't want you guys to know. Spinner found out by accident. I was feeling vulnerable that night. Today, I couldn't really keep Drew, Peter, and the others from knowing since they saw him beating me outside of the school." I muttered, "Even Fitz and KC know." Adam looked shocked. "E-Eli, he-you...I want to kill him." Adam exclaimed. "Adam, please. I just need you guys now. I can't deal with this alone." I whispered to my best friend. "You aren't alone, Eli. We're here with you. We're not letting you go through this alone." Clare whispered. How lucky did I get when I met Clare and Adam. Maybe meeting them, was Julia and Tommy's way of telling me to be happy. Who knows? I should take Adam and Clare to meet them. "Eli?" Adam's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Huh?" I asked. "We've been trying to reach you for like 5 minutes. What were you thinking about?" Clare asked. I took a deep breath. "How would you guys like to go see Julia?" I asked, quietly. "Only if you're sure, ELi. We don't want to intrude." Clare murmured. I smirked. Clare already intrudes my thoughts half the time without realizing it. "You know what? I'm gonna stay here with my brother and Peter. They don't know where anything is, and I've been here countless times." Adam murmured. Then under his breath, murmured something that sounded like "and I didn't freaking notice it. Some best friend I am." I immediately felt guilty. "Adam, guys night Friday?" I asked. He smiled a little bit and nodded. I looked down. Time for my next secret. "I didn't tell you guys. I had a brother named Thomas. He was my twin brother. Complete opposite of me. Except he was pretty much as overprotective of people he cared about as me. That's what got him killed. He died to protect me. My father was so drunk he couldn't tell the difference between us. Even though he couldn't really tell the difference otherwise. Well, Thomas would always wear colors. The only colors I would ever wear were black, red, and gray. Sometimes blue. My father was screaming, 'Eli, I'm going to kill you.' And things like that. He kept calling me. My brother stood up and told my dad that he was me, so I wouldn't die. My brother saved my life." I cried. I miss my brother so damn much. Suddenly my cell started ringing. I looked at everyone in my livingroom and walked up to my room. Maybe I can clean it by the time this phone call's over. I shut my door.

(Italics- Eli / Underline- Mystery Person)
-Hello?
-E-Eli? Oh my God, it's been so long.
-Uh, sorry. Who is this?
-Come on, Elijah. You don't remember me, little brother? It's only been a year. I survived. I wasn't killed. Just stabbed. Dad knew that. I've been trying to get in touch with you for months.
-T-Tommy?

AN: Well, it's pretty short, but it's an updatee. lols. You see that little button? Yeah, the more you click it, the faster I update. Any suggestions? lol. I have up to chapter 10 or so written, but I can fix it up to add some ideas. Thanks.
~Carly