Allison's POV
We had finished eating our pizza and we all threw our trash away in the trashcan inside the room. There was a large trashcan at the end of the hallway to put the pizza boxes in. Andy and I volunteered to throw the pizza boxes away. After we threw them away, I stopped him in the hallway.
"Andy, I need to talk to you,"I said.
"What's up,"He asked.
"I know what John's going through,"I said,"Well..sort of."
I looked closely at Andy. I was shaking internally a little. I grabbed his hands and held them, just in case.
"What do you mean,"He asked.
"I know what it's like to be hit,"I told him.
"Your parents,"He asked.
"No,"I said,"I had a boyfriend once. I was young, maybe 15. This guy, I won't mention his name, was maybe 18 at the time. He looked a little like John, a tough guy, but he had muscles, like you. I only dated him for a little while, about a semester, then he moved away. Anyways, he hit me sometimes. Not like John gets hit, but like slaps to the face. I'd hit him back sometimes, and it made him angrier."
I'd almost forgotten about that bastard. Andy's eyes widened.
"Why didn't you tell me before,"He asked.
"What's to tell,"I said,"It wasn't that bad. He never sent me to a hospital or anything."
He touched my face. I flinched.
"Are you scared,"He asked.
"Of what,"I demanded through clenched teeth.
"Someone hurting you again,"He said.
"I was never scared,"I lied.
"Yes you are,"He's good at knowing when people are lying,"Otherwise, you wouldn't have flinched."
"I didn't mean to,"I said,"It's just that, remembering him... He was a real f*cking jerk."
"Yeah,"He said.
I hugged him tightly.
"I haven't dated anyone since then,"I said,"I didn't get close to anyone. I was nervous about you at first, but now..now I trust you."
"Come on, don't cry,"He said,"You'll be okay."
He kissed me. I wiped off my tears.
"Let's go back in the room,"I said.
Claire's POV
I looked at John as I stood by him. He looked a lot better with a smile on his face. His father is a bastard, a no-good scumbag. Beating John like that, accusing him of attacking his sister. I knew nothing about his life. I thought I did, I knew his father hit him, but I had no idea it was this bad. I felt bad for John, not out of pity, but out of love. I love John. My parents like him too, even though he's not rich like us. I didn't know anything about him, I didn't even know he had a sister until we came here.
"Why didn't you tell me you had a sister,"I asked.
"I don't know,"John answered,"I guess I wanted to protect her reputation. If people know I'm her brother, they'd treat her differently, like a criminal. I've told a few people, though."
"Who,"I asked.
"Her cheating ex,"He said,"For one."
I was about to say something else, when Allison and Andy walked back in. They were a great couple, mismatched, like me and John, but a great couple, nonetheless.
"John,"Allison said,"I need to tell you something."
"Go ahead,"John said.
Andy held Allison's hand as she told us about her ex-boyfriend and how Andy was the first boyfriend she'd had after that.
"Don't worry about Andy,"John joked,"He may be brainless, but he doesn't hit girls."
"Not completely brainless, anyways,"I smiled and joked.
All of us laughed, except Allison, who tried to contain her laughter at the expense of her boyfriend, but could not. She burst into giggles.
I grabbed John's hand, feeling security in knowing John would never hurt me. I don't know how I knew, I just did. I knew Andy would never hurt Allison. Andy's dated plenty of girls, none of which he was violent with. Besides that, Allison was special to him. It's like they were meant to be together, like they were soul mates. I felt that way about John too. Like we were sides of a magnet, drawn together.
John would never become like his parents. The rest of us might, but he never will. He won't become a drunk who beats his wife and kids.
Brian's POV
After getting over the shock from the mini-bombshell Allison had just dropped, I continued to talk to Sammy. I looked more closely at her. Her long brown hair flowed down past her shoulders, her long bangs almost covering her dark brown eyes. Her skin was a little pale, she was probably scared or nervous, and she was thin and tall. She was beautiful. Not hot, I don't usually think of girls as hot, they're not radiators. Her beauty kind of shimmered from her, on the inside and outside. She was strong, too. Strong-willed, definitely, and maybe strong physically too. And she's smart. I know it's crazy though, I've only just met her. Besides, she'd never want to date a nerd like me. You know what, screw it, I'm gonna ask her anyways.
"You wanna hang out sometime,"I asked,"Like, outside of the hospital?"
"Sure,"Sammy said, and grabbed a paper and pen.
She wrote something down and handed it to me. It had a number and her name on it.
"It's the number for Andy's house,"She said,then whispered,"We're going to be staying there after John gets out."
What she did then, shocked me. She got up and kissed my cheek. She shaped her hand like a phone and mouthed "call me". She sat back down a couple seats from me. Andy, Claire, John,and Allison were all looking at me. I was blushing.
"Hey bri,"John said.
"Yeah,"I asked.
"Get over here,"John said.
I walked over by him.
"Hey,"I said,"She kissed me."
"I know,"He said,"Listen. My sister has been through a lot. She's been hurt, badly. I don't want her to get hurt again, got it?"
I nodded.
"Good,"He said,"Take good care of her, okay?"
I smiled.
"I will,"I said.
Andy's POV
I was talking to my parents out in the hall for privacy.
"I didn't mean to tell him,"I said,"It kind of just slipped out. Sorry."
"That's fine,"My mother said,"What did they think about it?"
"Sammy wants to stay,"I said,"But John, he's skeptical. He thinks its a trick or something."
"How come,"My father asked.
"He doesn't trust people,"I said,"Especially adults."
"That's understandable,"My mother said,"With what he's been through."
I nodded. We walked back inside the room.
"Excuse me everyone,"My mother said, and when everyone looked,said,"Claire, Brian, Allison, we would like to speak to John and Sammy. If you will excuse us.."
"Of course,"Claire said.
And with that, the three(Claire, Allison, and Brian) stepped out into the hallway.
Sammy's POV
Why did I do that? What got into me? What the hell was I thinking? Thinking a senior, a smart one like that, would like me, a freshman. No way. No way he likes me.
"Samantha, John,"Andy's mother addressed us,"Andy has already told you this, but my husband and I are willing to let you two stay at our house for a while. At least untill you and John get old enough and get enough money to move out."
"So,"Andy started,"Do you guys want to stay?"
I nodded.
"Of course,"I said.
"John...,"Andy's mother asked.
"Huh,"John asked.
"Do you want to stay John,"I asked.
"Umm..."
Brian's POV
"What do you think they're talking about,"Claire asked.
"She gave me her number,"I said.
Allison smirked.
"What for,"Claire asked.
"To hang out,"I said,"Outside of the hospital. It's Andy's number. She said they were staying at Andy's after they got out."
"So..,"Allison started.
"Maybe they're going to live there a while,"I said,"Or something. Because John isn't old enough to buy a house or rent an apartment."
"Yeah,"Claire said,"And John's not old enough to have legal custody of Sammy."
I looked at the slip of paper in her pocket and smirked. Her number. She gave me her number.
"I think someone has a crush on you Bri,"Claire said.
"Nah,"I said,"She's just messing with me. This number probably isn't real."
Allison took the number, looked at it, then handed it back.
"It's real,"She said,"That's Andy's number."
I put the paper in my pocket and smiled.
"Do you like her, Bri,"Claire asked.
"Yeah."
John's POV
"Umm...,"I said.
Was it a trap?Andy told me it wasn't a trick or a trap. Why do they want me and Sammy? Pity? To keep us as servants? We'd have to do everything they told us, or they'd kick us out. What would they want us to DO? I hope it's not anything dirty. I shivered. I closed my eyes. I could imagine Andy's parents forcing us to clean the house from top to bottom until it was sparkling clean. I could imagine them hitting us. I could imagine Andy watching as they beat me or Sammy, laughing, saying I deserved it. I didn't want to be a punching bag again, and I definitely didn't want Sammy to be one either.
I opened my eyes again. They can't be that evil! can they?
"It's okay, John,"Andy's mother said,"You need time to decide. We understand."
They turned toward the door to tell the others to come back inside. I couldn't move my mouth. I couldn't move at all for a second. Then, finally...
"Wait,"I said.
They turned around.
"Yes,"Andy's mother asked.
"I have a question,"I said.
"What is it,"Andy's father asked.
"You..you won't hurt us,"I asked nervously,"Me or Sammy, will you?"
"Of course not,"He said.
"Not all adults are bad, John,"Andy's mother said,"We're not going to hurt you. You don't have to worry."
I nodded.
"I know,"I said,"And...yes."
"Yes what,"She asked.
"Yes, I would like to stay,"I said.
"That's great,"Andy said happily.
Sammy hugged me. I yelped in pain and she let go. Each swing of the bat, each hit on my skin, flashed back to me.
"Sorry,"She said.
"It's okay,"I told her.
The three others came back in the room. Sammy and I told them about what happened. They were happy for us. Sammy was happy for us. I was happy for us.
Sammy and Brian started to talk to each other again, sitting across the room so no one heard what they were talking about. I wasn't worried. I know Brian will treat her well.
Almost everyone went home about 9 that night, leaving me, Sammy, Andy, and his parents.
I don't know what will happen when I get out of this hospital in a few days. I don't know how long they will be able to tolerate me before they kick me out or something. I'm scared. I told everyone goodnight and went to sleep.
"You deserved this,"It was Andy's voice,"You shithead!" He is laughing at me. He ties my hands and feet up, laughing evilly. What are you doing? He is kicking me. He lifts me up and ties me to a chair. Let me go!He makes me look at Sammy. "Look what you did to her,"He exclaims. Sammy walks closer to me, her body covered in blood and bleeding. She takes out a bat and begins to hit me with it. Please don't!She stops for a second. "You did this,"she exclaims. "No,"I shout. "Look at your hands,"she says. I look at them, they are covered in blood. "How could you,"She exclaims,"I thought you loved me!" She hits me with a bat again. "He loved Claire too,"Andy says,"Then he killed her." "What,"I yell. Andy points to a corner. I look and see Claire, a knife sticking out of her, a pool of blood on the floor surrounding her. No! I didn't! Why did I keep hurting people!"Why,"I ask. "I don't know,"Andy says,"You tell me." He pulls out a switchblade and stabs me. "Ahh,"I shout as I lose consciousness. All my fault..I deserve this..
I open my eyes. Andy is shaking me. My eyes widened in fear.
"I..I killed Claire,"I said,"And hurt my sister...her blood..on my hands. And you stabbed me... my fault...I deserve this.."
"John,"Andy said,"You were dreaming. There's no blood."
I looked down at my hands. Blood free.
"It was horrible,"I said,"That dream. So f*cking real."
I noticed I'd been shaking.
"I'd say so,"Andy said,"You were screaming. You kept shouting 'no' and mumbling something I couldn't understand. I'm surprised you didn't wake anyone else up. What happened, in your dream?"
I told him.
"That's f*cked up,"He said.
"I know,"I said,"Andy, I have a problem."
"What's that,"He asked.
"I keep hurting people,"I said.
"No,"He replied,"People keep hurting you."
