AUTHOR'S NOTE: Going to keep this A/n nice and short... firstly, Hi all! Hope all is well :) Secondly, Yay update, Sorry for the late updates. Thirdly, Thank you so fucking much for reviewing and to the silent readers for reading! Seriously THANK YOU!

Reviews:
btrfanfiction1526 – You know how to make me smile! Thank you so much. Hope you enjoy this chapter :) xoxo
ducky –
sorry for the long chapters, I just have to fit a lot into one chapter... I'll try to make them shorter if you and other readers wish :) Thank you for reviewing.
SchmidtHappens –
Hope this chapter answers you question :) Haha I did enjoy writing the James/Ken/Cass scenes. And I thought Logan needed some girl action haha Thank you so much! Xoxo
btrfan112 –
Thank you So MUCHH! Hope you enjoy this chapter :)
BTREdition –
I honestly love your in-depth analysis of the chapters! They're all going to have their storyline. Obviously Kendall's being prominent :) Thank youu! Xoxo
PAfan143 -
:P Read this chapter to find out. Hope you enjoy it :) xoxo
c5minor –
Updatedddd! :P
Camiphernelia –
Haha! There's more Joanna and Steve drama coming :P And I've been good babe, busy with Uni and Work, Annoying -_- How've you been?! Glad you enjoyed this chapter and Thank you! You're Amazinggg!
annabellex2 –
Logan needed some girl action haha And hope you enjoy this chapter :)
lovinkendork –
lol cute name, and Updateddd!

You guys are too amazing. This chapter has a little surprise or shocker well I don't know what you can call it lol

DISCLAIMER: Sadly, do not own BTR, But do own my OC's

Anywho...On to the chapter


CHAPTER 11: NOT AN OPTION


Two steps at a time, Kendall climbed the stairs, which at that point felt like climbing a mountain trying to get to the top. It was as if Cassidy was taking a leap off the mountain and Kendall had to save her. But in reality Cassidy had agreed to go back with Joanna despite what Kendall and she had discussed over the past week.

Once Kendall saw Cassidy's eye that split second before she decided to surrender, he could see how much fear and helplessness was piling up inside of her. She didn't know how to fight off her parents. She didn't know to stand up to them without breaking to pieces. Cassidy knew if she didn't go back with Joanna at that instant, things were going to get out of control and to protect Kendall and his family, she had to sacrifice herself.

With shaky hands, Cassidy was gathering her stuff in her bag and zipping it up, reluctantly. For the first time in the years her mother had laid a hand on her, Cassidy couldn't read Joanna's face. She didn't know what Joanna was thinking or what she had in store for her. But all she knew was that Joanna wasn't here to apologize.

Kendall furiously entered the room, not bothering to close the door behind him. He grabbed a hold of Cassidy's bag and pulled it away from her. Yet Cassidy still continued to pull open the draws and get her clothing out. Kendall pushed the draws closed and stood in front of her, watching her move around the room from one end to another collecting her things. Not once did she even acknowledge him in the room.

"Cassidy, look at me..." Kendall was trying to be strong. If he broke down, so would she. He had to keep his composure. She didn't respond. He held Cassidy by the wrist to stop her from moving, but her eyes were focused too closely on the carpet, "Do you remember what we talked about the other day? I promised you I wouldn't let you go back! She's messing with you."

"I have to go." She simply stated as she pushed Kendall's hand off her wrist.

"You can't fucking go back! She's putting on an act!"

"Don't you think I know that? She's my mom, Kendall. Of course I know that." She anxiously chuckled which were only making her form tears. There was no way to make a situation like that light.

"Then why the hell are you going? I'm not letting you leave." Kendall grabbed Cassidy's jacket from her hand and threw it on the bed.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes tight, trying to keep her tears in..."Because I have to. If I don't go know, things aren't going to get any better." She walked over to the bed to get her jacket and put it on.

"Don't put the fucking jacket on! I said you're not going back there!" He yelled between his clenched teeth. Cassidy silently shook hearing Kendall raise his voice. Kendall never really got angry towards Cassidy. He only got angry because of the situations, never at the person. He loved Cassidy too much to get angry at her.

Just seeing Cassidy prepare to leave to what Kendall refers to as hell, was making him feel aggravated and hopeless. It's like everything the two had talked about was fading out of Cassidy's mind.

"I'll see you in school tomorrow, so it's going to be okay." She exhaled slowly and grabbed her purse and her bag. She wanted to believe it so bad but nothing was certain when it came to her parents.

"That's not the point! That house is a torture cell for you! It's fucking hell. I am not letting you walk back in there as if they haven't done anything to you! Do you know how much it fucking hurts seeing you go back?" Kendall's eyes were stinging. They were red and threatening with tears but he was too furious to focus on controlling those tears. He'd spent nearly a month waking up to Cassidy and he had never felt so happy waking up to the girl he loved. He loved the fact that Cassidy got on so well with his mom and sister and to see that get taken away from him was causing, not only mental, but physical pain too.

"And do you know what will happen to your family if I don't go back?! She knows who your mom is, and if she knows then so does he! Kendall, I am doing this for your safety. Jennifer's safety... Katie's safety." Cassidy wasn't going to take the risk to even argue back with Joanna. She was frightened to go back but if it meant keeping Kendall and his family safe she'd do it. She knew how much family meant to Kendall.

All that filled the room was silence.

"Please don't do this." His voice was shaky. He held Cassidy by her hands. His hands were trembling and he breathed in and out heavily. Kendall looked into Cassidy's eye with sorrow and love. He felt like he was losing the battle letting Cassidy leave but she was just as stubborn as him.

"Don't make this harder than it already is..." Cassidy bit her trembling lips and a small tear escaped the corner of her eyes. Kendall put his arms around her and she huddled into his chest. She was going to miss waking up to him every morning and getting to hug him every night. She thought she could go back to her house without breaking down but it was almost becoming impossible.

"I will never be okay with this." Kendall stuttered quietly as a small tear escaped the inner corner of his eyes.

They broke off their hug, but both of them wanted it to last forever. Cassidy leaned in, giving Kendall a small soft kiss before grabbing her things, "I love you." She faintly whispered and tried to smile but all Kendall could focus on were the tears streaming down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away, so it wasn't obvious to her mother that she was crying.

"I love you." He softly said as he watched his girlfriend walk down the steps, from the top of the staircase. He followed her down a couple of steps and stopped three quarters down.

The sight of Joanna and Jennifer talking made Kendall feel sick. He didn't want his mom to be associating with such a woman. As soon as Joanna saw Cassidy come down, she smiled an unusual smile.

"Once again Jennifer, thank you for your hospitality and thanks for looking after Cassidy for us." She tilted her head to the side as she smiled. Jennifer awkwardly grinned back. She opened her arms up for Cassidy who gave her a nice warm hug.

"Thanks for everything Jennifer." Cassidy said confidently but inside she wanted to thank her for actually looking after her as if she was her own daughter. She was so grateful to Jennifer and leaving her made Cassidy realize how her mother would never reach Jennifer's standard.

"You're welcome sweetie; you're welcome back here anytime."

"I don't think that will... happen again." Joanna forcefully laughed, but there was a hint of anger behind what she had just said and both Cassidy and Kendall had spotted it.

Jennifer observed Cassidy and Kendall. She had been very observant when it came to the two ever since the first night she stayed. She saw her son's eyes stinging red and Cassidy wasn't smiling like how she had been in the house. She felt an awkward vibe coming from Cassidy and Joanna and it was making her very skeptic.

As Joanna began to leave the house she saw Kendall standing at the end of the stair case with pure anger towards her. She was finding it rather amusing instead of threatening.

"Kendall, it was good seeing you again. I know that Cassidy's father is very keen on seeing you again too." Joanna chuckled to herself and rolled her eyes before she left. Kendall's eyes widened in disgust and he had the urge to pull Cassidy back into the house and slam the door on Joanna's face. "Oh and, be careful." With a straight face she left the house.

"I'd say that to yourself if I were you." Kendall hissed out. As soon as he saw Cassidy leave the house, Kendall's eyes started welling up. He knew they'd see each other in school but he was petrified for her safety. She turned back to look at Kendall before she left and smiled half heartedly. She entered the car and they drove off into the midst.

Jennifer closed the door and stood in front of the door for a few seconds, trying to process what had just happened. She slowly turned around and notices Kendall's hands were clenched, tears slowly streaming down his cheeks. She wasn't expecting that reaction.

"Kendall, sweetie?" Jennifer rushed to her son and walked him over to the living room.

"She's gone back there mom, and I don't know what to do." He shakily responded. It just wasn't sinking in that Cassidy had actually gone back willingly. He was worried they'd take her away and he'd never see her again.

"She's gone to her home, honey. It's fine. Plus you'll still be able to see her." Jennifer tried to reassure him, but it only made matters worse.

"No! No it's not fine! How could you let her leave!?" Kendall suddenly became furious. It was only confusing Jennifer more.

"Her mom had come to pick her up, I can't say no to that." She worriedly replied. Jennifer had no idea what was going on but now it was only making her worry.

"And now she's gone back there... with... them." Kendall murmured to himself not even wanting to think about the fact that Joanna and Steve were related to Cassidy.

"Her parents."

"No mom! You don't get it! They're monsters! They've never been parents!" He stood up and it was obvious that he was slowly losing it. Jennifer didn't know how to respond. She had no idea what was going on.

"Kendall, calm down. What are you on about?"

"They're so messed up, mom." He slowly settled down next his mom again. Jennifer hugged him and stroked his hair trying to calm him down. She knew to let him let it all out. The tears were endlessly flowing through his eyes and Jennifer wanted to know what was going on. But all she knew at this stage was Cassidy's parent were not who she thought they were.


They sat in silence. All that could be heard was the humming of the engine and Cassidy breathing restlessly. The only thing that was in Cassidy's mind was the look on Kendall's face before she left. Although they get to see each other tomorrow, they weren't going to wake up next to each other, or spend the day after school with each other. Most importantly, Cassidy wasn't going to have Kendall's arm around her before she fell asleep. His touch was what made her feel safe and comfortable, comfortable enough to fall asleep.

"How was your little vacation then?" Joanna sniggered. It was almost as if they had made sure the weeks she stayed at Kendall's was Cassidy's little 'treat'.

Cassidy didn't respond. Not that she wanted to but she wasn't hearing what Joanna was saying.

"That was a very appalling thing you did, Cassidy. You should've not ran out of the house like that." Joanna pulled up to the house. Cassidy had a shiver go down her spine as soon as she looked at the house. It hadn't changed. A small shadow had formed over the house, which just showed how much of a bad aura the house had. Joanna didn't step out the car just yet. She softly started chuckling and adjusted herself to look at Cassidy.

Cassidy stared a head trying to ignore the fact that Joanna was looking at her. With extreme enthusiasm Joanna opened her mouth, "Did you receive my letter then?" She smirked disgustingly.

Cassidy once again didn't respond.

"You remember what your father and I said? Speak, when you're spoken to by us." She sternly looked at Cassidy and held onto her wrist way too tightly. Cassidy flinched at the pain but refused to speak.

"I said, did you receive my letter?" Once again, the grip around Cassidy's wrist tightened. Joanna's stare was burning a hole into Cassidy face and reluctantly Cassidy nodded slowly.

"Ah, okay. Good, good. I meant every word I said in that letter, sweetheart." She spat out with mockery and released Cassidy's wrist. She laughed and got out of the car, slamming the door shut. That little hope Cassidy had about the letter being sincere had been ripped and shredded to pieces. The guys were all right about it. Cassidy just wanted to believe in the impossible.

"And make sure you don't run away when you're getting out of the car. We don't want that to happen again." Joanna smiled with disgust and walked inside the house.

Cassidy didn't know what to expect when she went inside. She didn't know if Steve was home or not since she couldn't see his car.

She entered the house with cautiousness. The same creak remained when she entered the house. The gloomy atmosphere seemed to have gotten worse and the homeliness wasn't there like how it was at Kendall's house. It seemed as if Steve wasn't home making it a little easier for her to breath.

"I want you to put your bags upstairs and come to the living room after." Joanna spoke sternly and hovered off to the kitchen. Cassidy didn't say anything or even make eye contact. She simply walked upstairs into her dingy, dull room and placed her bag on the floor. It was just as how she left it that night. The piece of glass, that Steve had cut her with, was still on the floor beside her bed with her blood stained along the tip. The broken alcohol bottle was beside her desk and her bed hadn't been touched. The room just gave off a terrible vibe but it was her only place of 'comfort'.

With a trembling hand she lifted the piece of glass of her floor. She looked at it longer than she needed to. Her hands clenched around it tight and that night Steve had cut her was flashing back. The fear she felt that night was crawling back into her and it felt as if it had gotten worse.

Instantaneously, Cassidy threw the glass in the trash trying to erase the memory as fast as she could. The glass had mildly cut her palms but she didn't care. She felt no pain as the fear inside of her was worse than the cut. Quickly, she made her bed and as Joanna ordered went downstairs carefully and sat in the living room.

Her heart was pounding. The TV wasn't switched on and Joanna sat on the arm chair, one leg over the other. Cassidy pulled her sleeve over her knuckles and watched her fingers as a distraction.

"We've got a lot to discuss." All of a sudden a voice echoed in through the hallway and Cassidy's heart pounded louder and faster. "That was quite a stupid move you and you're little boyfriend pulled that day." Steve revealed himself, step by step. He didn't look pleased.

Cassidy gulped in fear and was scared to even look at him.

"We've let you have your fun... and now it's time to follow my fucking rules. You understand?" Steve furiously walked to Cassidy and pulled her up by the arm. And just like before, Joanna observed Steve's abusiveness continue.

Cassidy was too scared to even make a movement. She was scared to say anything. She knew this wasn't going to go well. Her one month of living that normal life had been torn to pieces.

"I'm fucking talking to you." Steve came closer to her. His breath reeked of alcohol and cigarettes ..."This little bitch has become a little gutsy, hasn't she?" Steve looked to Joanna and smirked angrily. He pulled Cassidy to the hallway and pushed her against the wall hard, "don't think you're going to get away with what you and that little boyfriend of yours did. You're both going to get it..." He held Cassidy's arm so tight that she was sure he had left a bruise.

"Alright, Steve. I think she gets it." Joanna watched Steve from the living room and got up to see what chaos he was creating.

"Don't fucking tell me what to do..." He darted his eyes towards Joanna and then looked back at Cassidy. "Now, tell me... what does little Kendall have to say about me?" He held onto Cassidy's jaw so she wouldn't move. Cassidy was trying to release from his grasp but was too frightened.

"N-nothing." With every courage she said quietly. But everyone knew that was a whole load of bull. Suddenly, Steve's eyes wondered done to her neck. Just below her ear lobes, on her neck he noticed a small red/purple bruise. His eyes widened in fury.

"What's this I see?" With his fingers he traced down her neck along the mark and pinched it so hard causing a small tear to escape her eyes. She had then remembered what it was. Earlier that day Cassidy and Kendall were fooling around on their way back from school and he had given her a little hickey. It started bruising but that was the only good bruise Cassidy was happy to have.

However, Steve wasn't too thrilled.

"Ha, Jo, Come and have a look at this." He sniggered with anger and malice...

"So this is what the two get up to..." With disgust she looked at Cassidy and stormed off with anger.

"So if your fucking boyfriend can leave a bruise, then so can your fucking father..." Steve chuckled as he clenched his fist and raised it just above her chest...

Cassidy knew that the pain was only going to get worst. The endearment Joanna had portrayed in the letter was a painful lie...


Kendall had no sleep last night. Once Katie got home, she hadn't even seen Kendall come out of his room that evening. Jennifer explained to her that Cassidy had gone back home and Katie thought that he was probably spending his time talking to her on the phone. But he was in his room, lying on the bed staring at the ceiling. There was no way of contacting Cassidy. Knowing her parents they would've taken her cell phone privileges away from her. He was forming the worst case scenarios in his head.

He couldn't even call one of the other guys to tell them what had happened without getting angry at himself. He was infuriatingly blaming himself for letting it all happen.

Kendall got ready for school, almost excitingly. He didn't even have breakfast and rushed out the house. Jennifer was worried about her son and his recent behavior She couldn't even get two words in before she witnessed Kendall rush by like a flash of lightning. As for Katie, she was slowly starting to speculate what was going on, like she had been for the past month.

This was the first time Kendall had ever rushed and was looking forward to go to school - just so he could see Cassidy and make sure everything was okay, but with her luck, he was doubtful.

He went straight to his locker. Carlos and Logan were already getting things ready for their first period: Chemistry.

"Where's Cassidy?" Logan asked genuinely as he zipped up his bag. The couple always came into school together and for her to not be there was strange.

"She's coming." With false optimism Kendall replied. He feared the same thing would happen as last time when she never showed up to school, "She promised. She's coming." He murmured to himself.

"Dude, you don't look too well." Carlos stated as he watched Kendall stare back and forth the hallway.

Logan knew something was wrong straight away. Kendall's anxious behavior gave it all away, "Kendall? What happened to Cassidy?" He lowered his voice in concern.

"Nothing. Nothing has happened to her." Kendall kept repeating to himself. He was so keen on believing it. Logan could tell that Kendall hadn't slept all night, which told him that something bad must've happened.

"Kendall, Where's Cassidy?" Logan calmly spoke trying not to alarm Kendall any further. Kendall looked at the hallway and watched every person walk pass waiting for that one particular person to brighten up his already dull day.

Just as Kendall was going to answer, a small buzz came from his phone. He rushed to open the message:

From James: With Cassidy, Will b in lesson soon.

He had to read the message at least four times till he leaned back onto the lockers and sighed in relief. He thought she must've bumped into him on her way to school. Kendall could breathe a little, as long as Cassidy was with one of the guys. He knew she was safe.

"Kendall?" Carlos called out quietly trying to get his attention, without jolting him. Logan and Carlos were at ease a little when Kendall released his tension. But still Logan knew something had happened.

Kendall almost forgot he wasn't at school for a split second. Once Carlos had got his attention he stood up straight and opened his locker to get his text book. The two shorter boys watched Kendall in confusion and waited for a response.

He closed his locker and started off with a sigh, "Joanna came yesterday."

"WHAT?!" Carlos yelled causing the whole hallway to look at him, "false alarm. Look away people." He chuckled nervously and looked to Kendall, "What?!" He tried again with a whisper.

Logan gripped onto his books tightly, "Don't tell me she did?" With wide eyes he looked at Kendall, "Why didn't you call us?!"

They slowly began to make their way to Chemistry Class. Kendall still looked back to see if he could spot James and Cassidy but he had no luck.

"I didn't know how to fucking process yesterday!"

"She told us she wouldn't go back! How could she!?" Carlos sat down at his desk and couldn't believe the fact that Cassidy had actually gone back, despite what they had said to her.

"She's just as stubborn a-"

"As you... We noticed." Logan and Carlos said in unison making Kendall crack a small smile.

As Kendall sat down he waited anxiously for a tall brunette and his girlfriend to appear. The class was getting filled quickly and Kendall impatiently waited. He started tapping his pencil uncontrollable on the table.

Carlos turned around to look at the restless blonde. He put his hand over the pencil for Kendall to stop tapping, "Dude, you have got to chill. Cas is with James. It's okay."

"I'm going to feel like this every day Cassidy lives in that house." Kendall replied back solemnly. Carlos had nothing else to say. If he had put himself in Kendall's position, he would probably be feeling the same.

Once Kendall turned to the door again, he heard James' laugh and Cassidy's little chuckle. A small smile appeared as he heard their steps getting closer. James walked through the door and went to sit with Carlos and then his beautiful girlfriend walked in.

Kendall's eyes instantly lit up.

She walked to him with a smirk but inside she wanted to run into his embrace and never let go. Kendall couldn't see any bruises or marks on her face and she was walking properly, putting him at ease a little.

"Hey you," Her smile got wider as she walked closer to Kendall. He wrapped her arms around her instantly and gently kissed her.

"It's crazy how much I missed you." He whispered into her ear quietly and his hands tangled in her hair.

"I missed you too." She looked up at him, tiptoeing a little to meet her lips with his, eagerly, yet slowly.

The teacher – Mr Richmond - had come in causing them to break off their intimate moment. Everyone scattered to their seats as the lesson began.

Throughout the lesson, Kendall and Cassidy barely listened to what the teacher was saying. Kendall kept staring down at Cassidy with a small smile. It was crazy how being away from her for less than 24 hours made him feel things he'd never felt before. He'd been so use to having her around every day and every night, that when she wasn't there he felt like he couldn't function.

"I don't think I can let you go back." Kendall whispered into Cassidy's ear as his eyes were on the teacher. They didn't have a practical lesson today. Cassidy was leaning against Kendall, jotting down notes but also listening to Kendall.

"Well you don't have a choice." Cassidy whispered back as she quickly wrote something down at the same time.

"Have you always been this stubborn? Or is that something you just save for me?" Kendall quietly chuckled.

"Well, I should say I've always been this stubborn, but I kinda wanna say I save it for you too." Cassidy looked at Kendall with a smirk, causing Kendall to roll his eyes. As she was writing, Kendall noticed Cassidy's hand shake a few times. He then watched her place her left hand on her right forearm. Kendall noticed that she had been doing that a lot in the lesson. She barely moved her arm and she didn't even take her jacket off.

Oblivious was what Kendall was in the first month of his relationship. But now he knew Cassidy's every weakness. He knew when she was hurt and at the very moment Kendall knew Steve and Joanna hadn't left her in peace yesterday.

"What's wrong with your arm?" Kendall whispered. Cassidy straightened up. She looked down at her forearm and then back up at Kendall with awareness. Cassidy knew Kendall knew what was up and so lying wasn't going to do her any good.

"I think it's bruised." She replied back cautiously fearing Kendall would react in front of the class.

Kendall gripped tightly onto his pencil. He was too scared to see the bruise. All Cassidy's previous bruises had healed and Kendall wasn't ready to see another bruise.

"Steve?" Kendall growled. The things that were going through his head could put him to prison. They weren't what a 17 year old should be thinking.

Cassidy flinched hearing his name. She simply nodded and Kendall's grip around his pencil got tighter, causing it to snap in half. The whole class turned to look at him.

"Is everything okay back there?" Sternly, Mr Richmond questioned with his arms folded.

"Yes, sir." Kendall simply replied back. He looked to Cassidy and they both exchanged a look. Everything was far from okay.

As soon as the bell rang everyone ran out the class. James, Carlos and Logan packed their things slowly and began to walk out the class. Kendall and Cassidy were last to leave. Kendall kept staring at Cassidy to see if she flinched every time she touched her forearm, which she did. As much as she tried to hide her pain, it was so prominent to Kendall.

As soon as they got out the class, Logan and Carlos stood beside the door not looking pleasingly at Cassidy.

"You completely ignored what we said to you!" Carlos sternly looked at Cassidy. Everyone was shocked to see Carlos not sulking like a little kid. But this wasn't a 'little kid' matter which made sense why Carlos was actually acting... mature about it.

"I'm with Carlos on this one... which rarely ever happens." Logan folded his arm over another and waited for Cassidy's response.

"I know, and I'm so sorry about that. But if I hadn't gone... she'd just do something out of the ordinary. Couldn't put anyone in danger."

Kendall stood behind Cassidy staring at the ground, letting what Cassidy had just said sink in. He knew Steve and Joanna weren't just going to let her off without doing what they do best.

"I told James I went back and he accepted it quietly... well after saying pretty much similar things."

"We're just looking out for you Cass." Logan said worriedly.

"I know. And really, thank you." Cassidy looked back at Kendall, half smiled and looked away. She knew that's exactly what they were all doing.

"What was the whole pencil snapping business about?" Logan curiously asked as he walked to the side of Kendall, whose hand carefully slid into Cassidy's.

"Guess I held onto it too tight." Logan accepted it with no further questions, knowing he wasn't going to get much out of him.

Logan and Carlos disappeared to their next lesson. Kendall and Cassidy had maths together next. Luckily for them they had a substitute.

Kendall had noticed Cassidy not take off her Jacket at all. Instead she clenched it closer to her and kept adjusting her scarf. He already knew her arm wasn't doing too well, but he now had a hunch that there was more where that came from.

The lesson wasn't going too well... in the teacher's perspective. Most of the students were busy doing their own thing and Cassidy managed to get Kendall to do some work. Kendall could hardly focus. He kept staring at her forearm fearing whatever was hidden beneath.

"Why is it that we're the only ones actually working when we could be doing...hmm I don't know... nothing?" Kendall moaned as he pushed the text book back as a sign of giving up.

"Because you're flunking in maths and you need to graduate. Come on, the last one." She pushed the text book in front of Kendall again, putting the pen in his hand. She hissed when she let go of the pen and Kendall spotted it straight away.

"Are you not going to do anything about it?" After a few second of silence, Kendall asked lowly. He lifted her right arm and settled it on the table with his hand in her hand.

"There's nothing to do..."

"Polic-"

"You know that's not an option." She instantly interrupted not wanting him to go any further.

"Why not?"

"You know why." Cassidy wanted to drop the conversation and leave it at that.

"Let's leave." Kendall suggested once he realized the substitute had given up on the class. He packed his books away and stood up ready to leave the class.

Cassidy looked back and forth the teacher and Kendall waiting to get yelled at, "What? Without telling her? I don't think so?"

"Come on. She won't notice." He let out a hand, waiting for Cassidy to give in so they could leave.

"She will."

"She's on the phone right now. Of course she won't notice. Now let's go." He waited a few more seconds. Pleadingly, he looked at Kendall and Cassidy caved in. She got up and grabbed his hand.

Cassidy reluctantly followed. She had no idea where he was taking her and he had no idea where he was going; until they found a mysterious door unlocked.

"We can't go up there." Cassidy whispered. She feared they'd both get in trouble and that was the last thing on her list.

"Why's it unlocked then?" With a smirk on his face and an eyebrow raised, Kendall pulled open the door wide leading to a flight of stairs. Cassidy rolled her eyes and smirked back. She had a feeling they were going to get caught but went for it any way.

They climbed the stairs and pushed open another door.

"It's a panorama room?" Cassidy curiously observed the glass windowed room. The windows were tinted so no one could see from the outside. There was only a big meeting table and a couple of chairs in the room.

"Didn't know the school could afford to make a room like this... huh, well would you look at that."

It had the view of the entire school: The track field, entrance of the school and even the car park.

Kendall sat down on one of the office chairs and carefully pulled Cassidy over placing her on his lap. She put her left arm around his neck while her right arm hopelessly rested on her lap.

"Is it that bad?" He knew the answer to that, but he felt the need to ask. Steve would always make sure she had got it bad.

Cassidy sighed in pain and took off her jacket very carefully. "What do you think?" She rolled up her sleeve and hissed when the material slightly touched the bruise, "I'd say not that bad..."

Kendall's eye widened in disbelief. He'd seen the marks on her body before but he would never get use to seeing them. The hand print on her arm was prominent. Her arm was a different shade of purple and green blended together. It was swollen and Kendall was finding it hard to process what he had just seen. It was like something off of a gory movie; you'd never think a human was possible to leave a mark on someone like that. Then again, was Steve considered a human?

"You and I are clearly seeing completely different things here." He lifted her arm up carefully and observed it, "I want to kill him..." He angrily muffled under his breath.

For 11 years of Cassidy life she's endured the pain and she was so use to it. To see someone else actually care that she was getting hurt made her feel happy inside and as if there was a little bit of hope. Kendall looked at her with his eyes threatening with tears but the anger had taken over.

"You have to go to the school nurse to check this out." Kendall didn't suggest it, it was more like a command and he refused to take no as an answer.

"I've had worse and it's useless. They'll just tell me to go to the emergency room." She rolled down her sleeve and tried to avoid eye contact with Kendall.

"What's wrong with that? We'll just go there then... now."

"I can't. If he finds out... if they both find out..." Cassidy got off of Kendall's lap and put on her jacket. She tightened her scarf so it wouldn't come off and turned her back to Kendall.

"They can't do anything with me around." He stood up and walked closer to Cassidy. He knew she hated hospitals but the bruise on her arm looked like it was throbbing. He worried that Steve must've broken a bone.

"No Kendall you don't understand... I can't go." She whispered in a stern, soft voice.

"Cassidy, it's going to get worse, you have to..." Kendall put a hand on her waist to turn her around, to get a better look at her. She was hesitating and avoided his stare...

"Kendall! I can't okay. How am I supposed to explain how that happened or how... this happened?" She suddenly yelled, and pulled open her scarf. Kendall was baffled.

Her whole neck was swollen. The mark around her neck was a very dark purple. Just under her ear lobe the mark was dark and it looked like it was externally and internally bleeding. Kendall pushed Cassidy's hair back with trembling fingers. The area looked like it was pounding. The other half of her neck was a light shade of green and purple. Not even foundation covered up the marks. He had no idea how Cassidy came into school with a smile on her face.

"I'm going to single-handedly kill that son of a bitch. What the fuck am I meant to say to make this all better?" Kendall didn't – couldn't pretend as if everything was okay.

"You don't have say anything." No matter how much she tried to keep it in, she let out a small sob. Kendall pulled her in for a hug and she knew he was the only thing that was going to get her through it all; As long as she had Kendall by her side she was going to be okay.

"I'm going to get you out of this... I promise."


"Carlos, are you sure about this?" James pulled the chair in the middle of the hallway and quickly retrieved back.

"Are you sure you want to see this amazing-ness, James?" Carlos twirled his helmet between both his index fingers and placed it on his head.

"So if you mess this up you owe me 10 bucks." James smirked as if he already won the bet. Carlos placed the skateboard on the floor and placed a foot on it.

"You're on!" Carlos slid his hand through James' hand and both of them fisted their hand and fist pumped sealing the bet.

The school hallways were empty as everyone had gone home or were in their afterschool clubs. Carlos and James were messing around in the hallway. Carlos was trying to jump over a chair while on the skateboard. James betted he'd fall and mess up but Carlos was certain he'd do it.

"On the count of three... one...two...th-" Carlos pushed his leg on the floor while the other balanced on the skateboard. "I'm going to do this Jamessss!" He screamed...

"What the hell are you boneheads doing?" All of a sudden Logan appeared from the corner and Kendall and Cassidy followed behind, interestingly watching the two.

"What? Woahhh!" Carlos lost his focus and ended up swerving around the chair, tripping and falling onto the ground causing everyone to burst in laughter.

"I bet Carlos he couldn't jump over that chair without messing up." James chuckled, "That's 10 bucks, dude!"

"Fuck you, I was distracted!" Carlos yelled out and jumped up, brushing himself off.

"Carlos, are you okay?" Cassidy went over to Carlos to help him up. He picked up the skateboard and pierced his lips at the state of it...

"My helmet did its Job." He cutely smiled as he patted his helmet.

"You're crazy." Cassidy chuckled and helped him up with her working arm.

"Wait... Is that my Skateboard!?" Logan furiously stomped over to his broken skateboard and snatched it from him.

"It says your name on it..." Kendall pointed out the obvious and took the skateboard to see if it could be mended. But there was no hope.

"I left mine at home. And yours was in your locker." Carlos sheepishly grinned and grabbed his back pack.

"Hold up, how the hell do you know my combination?"

"Lucky guess...?" Carlos shrugged as he prepared to make a runner.

"Yeah you better run." Logan said under his breath as he watched the crazy Latino run.

"I still want my 10 bucks CARLOS!" James yelled out before Carlos disappeared completely.

"How is he energetic all the time?" Cassidy laughed and prepared to make her way home. Kendall walked up beside her and she slipped her hand into his.

"I'm beginning to wonder the same thing." Logan sadly looked at his skateboard and threw it in the trash can, "There goes my skateboard."

"Don't worry, I'm sure someone'll get you a skateboard for your birthday next week." James assured him as he texted someone on his phone.

"Oh right... birthday next week." Unenthusiastically, Logan reminded himself.

"I just want to let you know that everything is ready for next week. The strippers howev-"

"STRIPPERS?" Logan looked at James with wide eyes and shock.

"I'm kidding. Now I feel like getting them just to see how you'd react with them in front of you." He lowly chuckled to himself and shook his head.

"So, Logan, how are things going with Maya?" Cassidy asked interestingly. She wanted Logan to ask Maya out. It was obvious how much he liked her and she hoped he had at least made a move on her.

"Things aren't going anywhere with her. We're just friends." With an emotionless face he continued walking.

"Do you laugh like I do when you say that to yourself?" Kendall chuckled to himself causing Logan to give a deadly glare back.

"Shut up. I'm serious; I don't think she even likes me in that way."

"She gave you her number... how more obvious do you want her to be?" James pointed out. Logan was terrible when it came to girls or dates. He liked to have them as friends and nothing more only because he was a dummy when it came to asking them out. Then again he hasn't had a crush on any one like he did with Maya.

"Girls can give guys numbers just for the sake of being friends you know?" Logan innocently replied, then realised how stupid it actually sounded.

"Logan stop being so negative. She likes you. You should ask her to be your date at your party next week." Cassidy suggested neutrally.

"Oh yeah, cause that's a good idea." He sarcastically commented. He didn't like the idea of asking a girl on a date because knowing Logan, he'd mess up.

"Come on man, Or I'll do it for you." James looked to Logan with what he thought was a comforting smile.

"No. Knowing you, you'd end up sleeping with her."

James mockingly gasped, "Is that how low you think of me?"

Cassidy, Kendall and Logan stopped walking and stared at James with a brow raised.

"Okay, fine I probably would. But not the point." He smirked that disappeared when he continued talking, "if you don't ask her out, someone else will and then we're going to have to deal with your regretful ass."

"Nicely put James." Cassidy sarcastically replied back causing James to smile proudly.

"It's too soon." Logan complained and stopped at the end of the road ready to cross.

"I'll make sure he does it tomorrow. See you guys later." James and Logan crossed the road making their way home leaving Kendall to drop off Cassidy. He had a feeling he was going to see Steve and he was looking forward to their meeting.

"Logan and Maya, who would've thought?" Cassidy stated.

"Logan and a girl... Who would've thought?" Kendall shockingly added, "So you're coming to Logan's party."

"Is that a statement?" Cassidy questioned.

"Yes. I will pick you up at 6..." Kendall completely blocked Cassidy's parents out of his mind. He refused to let them ruin Cassidy's life and he was ready to take action.

"Babe, my parents..." She lowly reminded him and even she didn't want to be reminded.

"I'll tell them I'm taking you out." He thoughtlessly recommended. Kendall knew that wasn't going to do shit and he had to think of something better.

"I don't think I'll be able to come."

"You will... I'm going to make sure of it."

"Just don't get your hopes up."

They approached Cassidy's house. They stopped and looked ahead and then at each other in shock. In front of them was a parked police car. Kendall thought something must've happened or someone must've ticked off the police about what was going on in the house. Cassidy just looked blankly at the vehicle.

"Baby, this is probably your chance to tell them everything. Someone has probably told them about everything. Or Officer Jeremy has probably found something against them." Kendall had a huge smile on his face, as if this was Cassidy's chance to escape.

"Kend-"

"Something must've happened. Maybe Joann-" Kendall stopped talking when the door opened to the house. Steve had his arm around the unknown officer and was walking down the porch with him towards the couple.

Steve's eyes set on Kendall and he smirked with malice. He looked to Cassidy, who quickly looked down and hid behind Kendall. He rolled his eyes with a low chuckle and watch the officer walk towards Cassidy.

"And there's little Cassidy..." The officer patted Cassidy on the head. Kendall looked at her confusingly then back at the officer, "How've you been?" He grinned at her mischievously. It was unknown whether the smile had something to do with him knowing what was going on within the walls of their home, or if it was a misled mischievous smile. Steve angrily looked at Cassidy hoping she would respond.

"I've been good, Uncle Leroy." She whispered making it hard for Steve to hear her. Kendall, with shock, looked to Cassidy. Uncle Leroy?

"She's been up to a lot of crap... haven't you, sweetie?" Steve chuckled maliciously and Uncle Leroy thought he knew exactly what he was on about.

"This must be the trouble maker of a boyfriend," Uncle Leroy stood in front of Kendall with wide eyes. He smirked just like Steve - with disgust and interrogation. "Officer Leroy Hart." He let out a hand and Kendall reluctantly shook it. The grip was tight and unwelcoming.

"Leroy just joined the Sherburne Police force from Florida. Isn't that great?" Steve laughed at Cassidy and Kendall's stunned faces, "And yes, Leroy, That's Kendall Knight. The boy I've been telling you about."

"You're the boy that's been troubling my niece then." Leroy thought he knew the truth, heck the way he was acting sure seemed like it... Cassidy frighteningly looked to Leroy and Steve knowing they were up to something.

"Is that what he's been telling you? I bet you don't even know half the truth!" Kendall spat out and stepped closer to the officer.

"I know all I need to know, son."

"You're going to take his fucking side, aren't you?"

"I'd watch yourself if I were you, Knight. You don't want to mess with a police officer now do you? I'm sure little Cassi over there told you how that all ends." Leroy leaned to the side to see Cassidy looking down at the ground trying to not look at him or Steve. She stood behind Kendall, scared out of her life.

"You don't even know, do you?" Kendall had a hunch he didn't know the whole truth because no sane human would ever tolerate anything Steve had done unless he was just as bad. But by the look of Steve's face whenever Kendall tried to reveal a little more, Steve eyed Kendall maliciously. He knew Leroy didn't know the whole truth.

"Don't mess with the Hart's Knight... You're right Stevie; this one does have a mouth." Leroy looked down at Kendall with disgust.

"Didn't I tell you? God knows what she sees in that petty excuse for a boy." Steve put a hand into the pocket of his Jeans and watched Kendall look at him with pure hatred and anger, which he was finding fascinating.

"Let's not go too far Stevie. I'll see you later little bro. Call me if there's any trouble." Leroy didn't take his eyes off of Kendall as he walked to his police car. Kendall knew all hope in telling the police had been thrown out the window. He wondered why Cassidy hadn't told him sooner about her Uncle.

"See you later, Officer Leroy." Steve half heartedly waved but kept his eye on Kendall. He said it loud and clear 'Officer Leroy'. As Leroy drove off, Steve stood with his arms folded and smugly smiled at the couple. "It's great having a brother work for the police force."

"You're so fucking messed up." Kendall laughed pitifully.

He sniggered, "You say that like it's a bad thing, son."

"You're not going to get away with this." He laughed in pity. In fact, Kendall almost felt sorry for Steve. Steve was so fucked up in the head that he didn't even realise. Delusional, he'd say.

"She's my fucking daughter, so she's my fucking property. Cassidy go inside!" He yelled with anger and looked behind Kendall to see a shivering Cassidy.

"She's not going anywhere next to you!"

"Cassidy, go inside. NOW!" Once again, with sternness he warned his daughter. Cassidy knew if she didn't go inside now then she was done for. Steve was going to get his 'revenge' for 'disobeying' him.

Kendall held onto Cassidy's hand a squeezed in as a gesture of reassurance. She slowly looked up and her eyes were stinging red. She couldn't even smile and so left without any further comments, "What the fuck is wrong you!? Leave her alone or so help me god I will ruin you!"

"Don't you dare tell me how to raise my daughter! And I'd watch it if I was you, with those petty threats of yours." He stepped forward almost as if it was a threat to Kendall.

"You're not going to get away with it."

"Kendall, let me put it this way, mess with me or my family, I'll mess with yours... I know where you live. Don't tempt me." Every word was covered in filth and threat.

"You wouldn't dare..." Jennifer and Katie meant everything to Kendall and he would do whatever to protect them. The threats Steve was giving to him felt empty but he remembered Cassidy constantly saying he is capable of anything.

Steve just laughed it off..."You're welcome to come inside if you wish."

"I'll pass. You can't keep her a prisoner forever."

"I know I can't. And I'm not. With Leroy in town, I'm going to have to loosen up a bit... we don't want him to find out the whole truth now do we." Once again the malicious smirk was plastered on his face like he was proud of what he was doing.

"You're a sick man." Kendall spat out as he turned around to walk away. He knew he wouldn't be able to speak to Cassidy.

"And you need to find someone else's daughter to mess with." Steve yelled out as he made his way inside. Kendall turned around with pure hatred oozing out of his eyes. He looked up to see Cassidy staring out the window, deprived of her freewill.

"You wish," were Kendall's final words to Steve. He walked off, looking back at Cassidy one last time who smiled a small smile. Once again the worry sunk into the pit of his stomach.

Steve watched Kendall walk away with vengeance. Kendall was ruining the way Steve had planned to raise the family, raise Cassidy. He had to have the upper hand no matter what. Steve stepped inside the house and closed the door behind him. He went to sit on the couch and flicked through the TV.

A subtle smirk approached his lips. Steve would say he was fortunate to have a brother that was a part of the police force. He could get away with a lot of things. But he had to be careful with what he tried to get away with. Leroy may be his brother, but there were still other officers to take into consideration.

Joanna walked inside the living room and sat down on the arm chair. She didn't utter a word, mostly because she didn't know what to say.

"Told Leroy to keep a good eye on the Knight boy." Steve took a sip of his beer and breathed out satisfied with his drink and his little idea.

"Why do you hate the boy so much?" Joanna immediately regretted asking the question. It's not that she has a soft spot for him, it's just she was curious to why Steve had that pure hatred for him.

"I don't like him messing with your daughter. He's ruining this family." Steve looked at Joanna compellingly and threateningly.

"She's your daughter too." Joanna hesitantly replied back hoping he wouldn't react.

"On good days." He lowly chuckled and harshly threw the beer bottle at Joanna. It missed her by an inch and instead hit the corner of the armchair. Joanna shook in fright, "That's for questioning my fucking loyalty to this family!"

Steve got up and went to his office room opposite the staircase. He slammed the door shut and pulled out a lighter. In all honestly, Steve thought there was nothing wrong with what he was doing. He refused to acknowledge himself in the wrong and constantly made others feel like shit. That's what he was best at doing. He pulled out a cigarette and poured himself some liquor. In front of him were some papers and pictures from Florida he made sure no one would ever get a hold of. Steve was in full motion... he was feeling vengeful... ready to hurt someone.


Friday had approached. Kendall got ready for school quicker than usual, as did Cassidy. Last night was a slow night for her. Steve came to visit her once, leaving his mark a lot leniently, but the same couldn't be said for Joanna. Steve was getting more dangerous by the day.

Kendall waited at the curb for Cassidy to arrive. Once he saw her, Kendall breathed a little. Although he did recognise a faint mark on her cheek. She tried to cover it with foundation but it didn't work too well.

"Another mark..." He subtly observed and sympathetically looked at Cassidy.

"It wasn't so bad last night." She shrugged. She'd accepted the beatings a long time ago. She just hadn't gotten use to Kendall's reaction each time.

"He seems to be getting worse by the day." His arms snaked his way around Cassidy and side by side they began their journey to school.

"I know... anyway how'd you sleep?"

"Barely slept. Kept thinking about what you were doing." He kissed the side of her head, thankful that she was still holding up.

"You haven't slept properly in two days. That will ruin your day you know?" She looked at Kendall, concerned. She hated the idea that she was the reason for Kendall's sleep deprivation.

"I highly doubt it... I can't believe your uncle is the fucking cop, how come you never told me that?" No matter how much he tired, Kendall just couldn't believe Leroy was Cassidy's uncle. There was no way of revealing Steve if he had a family member in the force.

"Didn't seem relevant." More like she didn't know how to tell Kendall. Every hope of ever getting justice was torn away from Cassidy.

"All the time I've been saying go to the cops, you could've maybe... I don't know mentioned your uncle is a cop, then it would've made sense." Kendall was annoyed and Cassidy could sense it. Cassidy understood that he had every right to be annoyed. She should've told him earlier but she never knew he'd actually join the Sherburne police force.

Their journey to school continued and Cassidy decided to tell Kendall about Leroy, "In Florida he was a cop for a different town, but he always came to our town to do jobs and to visit us. Uncle Leroy doesn't know what's going on, only the fact that D-dad's been trying to control the family." Her life was completely different yet somewhat the same, or even worse since she moved to Minnesota.

"So he doesn't know about you being practically tortured under that man's roof?" Kendall piteously laughed, and softly tightened his grip around Cassidy's waist.

"No. He's always seen me as some sort of a rebel because dad told him about my 'drug use' and 'attempted suicide'. He told Uncle Leroy how I was some kind of trouble maker and he's had an eye on me since. He can't stand me and his niceness you saw was a load of crap."

"Even the cop's like Steve." He rolled his eyes and scoffed.

"To them, family is the number one thing; keeping it united and having each other's back. That's what I always here them talk about. So that time I attempted to tell the police, it all backfired because Uncle Leroy was a 'witness' and said dad did no such thing. He wasn't even in town that night." She sighed and shivered at the memory. There was no escape for her and she didn't know what the future held.

"So much for going to the cops then. We'll find another way out though. How about your mom and him?"

"I guess when I was a kid something happened between them. They can't really stand each other and I don't really know why. Uncle Leroy has to be nice to me 'cause he's a cop, but that's the last thing he wants to do."

No matter how many shocking stories he heard, Kendall would never get use to it or want to believe it most of the time, "that's just fucked up."

"I know. This is why I can't go to the police because no one will ever believe me. Now that Leroy's in town... I'm probably going to get the trouble maker label in this town again." That's what she feared the most. In Sherburne the only reason people looked at her was because she was either known as the 'new girl', 'Kendall's girlfriend' or simply 'Cassidy Hart'. No negative label like she had in Florida. Cassidy feared everyone would turn against her.

"I think he's already labelled me that. Your boyfriend's a trouble maker." Kendall smirked and looked to Cassidy.

"He thinks he is." Cassidy shook her head and chuckled.

"I totally am. Steve's empty threats are going to get him a fuck load of trouble. I'm not going to let him get away with all this." Kendall didn't want to admit that he was out of ideas of how to get back at Steve. All he wanted was for Cassidy to be safe and to be free. On top of that he wanted to keep his family safe.

"We have to think this through realistically..." She knew how dangerous Steve was and with Leroy in town, the Hart brothers were going to be indestructible.

"I know..."

"On the bright side, now that Leroy's in town, I can go to Logan's party without a problem." She snuggled her head into Kendall embracing his warmth touch and sense.

"Huh, that is a bright side." He looked down and kissed her softly.

"mmhmm, So enough of this, I have Art and Design first thing so Maya's in my lesson. Let's go get Logan his girl." Cassidy giggled ready to get some gossip from Maya.

"This will be fun."


A/N: Chapter done?! Well? Verdict? Good? Bad? Sucks? Could've been better? WOW? Ooooh? Anything? Lol well it's really just an oh shit kinda moment . I hope this explains why Cassidy is so against going to the police... UNCLE LEROY is in town... Muahaha let the fun begin.

Next chapter it going to have a bit of Knight Family/Cassidy interaction and Logan's Birthday party. Was a fun chapter to write. What do you think of Leroy? And him and Steve? Let me just say that Steve has only just began :/ Uh-oh.

Update news: Whenever I'm free I'll update. Work it piling on as well as Uni work, thus explaining lack of update. Really sorry but don't worry I will try my utmost best to update!

Anyway, Thank you to all those that had continued to read and reviewed. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and please do review as it's motivation and really does get me smiling! Love hearing all your views! Love you all, hope the weather is being good to you all.

Avery xoxo

P.S. 24/SEVEN BABY! MAKE SURE YOU PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY! I can't yet... only in the US. Lovely -_-