Ash's POV

I woke up this morning with the worst headache and stomach ache. I hope I'm not getting sick. I really don't want to stay home, but I think I'm gonna have to. I ran to the bathroom and threw up, which confirms I'm not going to school.

Dawn's POV

This makeup will not cover the bruise and I'm getting mad. I'm wearing a yellow long sleeve shirt and a necklace with jeans and moccasins. My hair is it's natural straight today.

I power walked my way out the door and started walking to school.

I made it to homeroom just fine.

"Oh my god Dawn what happened to you?!" May asked

"Well, uh, Paulkindaslappedmeyesterday."

"WHAT?! What a jerk! When I get my hands on him-"

"May slow down. Ash already took care of it."

She winked at me. "Ash, huh?"

"May stop it he just defended me was all."

"Mhmm sure Dawn."

Everyone was in homeroom but Ash. Paul was here so they didn't fight. Oh no, what if Paul showed the video? Calm down Dawn, he could just be sick.

Roll was taken and soon the bell rang. I went to 1st period which was English.

We were reading silently when all of a sudden…

"Hey Dawn what's with your cheek?" Zoey yelled across the room. Everyone's eyes turned to me.

"It doesn't matter." I said quietly.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you."

"I said it doesn't matter now shut your big, annoying mouth!"

"Aww, is it someone's time of the month?" She asked

"No, it's not! Now shut up!" Did she really just ask that in front of everyone?

"Girls! Get back to your reading and stop arguing!" The teacher cut in. Thanks for the help

Everyone did just that and I heard some snickering. I ignored it.

I was walking to the cafeteria and a lot of people were pointing and snickering.

"What's so funny?!" I asked annoyed.

"Nothing Dawn!"

"Just the big handprint on your cheek!"

"Did someone have a rough night?"

Those were the replies I got while walking down the hall.

"Stop being so immature!" I yelled then ran to get another to-go lunch…

May's POV

Me and Drew were standing in the crowd that was making fun of Dawn. I don't know why I didn't stick up for her; I guess I was scared to.

"Stop being so immature!" She yelled and ran into the cafeteria.

Everyone kept talking so poorly about her.

"Come on Drew." I pulled him through the crowd to the cafeteria.

I scanned the whole place and Dawn was nowhere to be found. *Sigh*

"Let's just get lunch."

"Okay May."

Dawn's POV

I hate to admit it, but I was crying again. Ash wouldn't be here this time to come find me and comfort me. All I want is him to hug me and tell everything will be okay. How can people be so mean? I don't even know them and they're judging me. I guess that's what high school is. I looked down at my bracelet and sure enough, the bruise was still there too. It's like Paul did this on purpose to torture me. But I didn't do anything to him! Speaking of the Devil…

"Dawn stop hiding and get over here."

I got up.

"What Paul?"

"Have you told anyone I did it?"

"No Paul, I didn't."

"Stop lying to me." He raised his hand.

"I'm not lying!" I yelled and braced myself. "Please don't hit me!"

He slapped me again, but not as hard as he did yesterday.

"Don't tell anyone." With that, he left.

Ash's POV

I wonder how Dawn was today…

School will be out in 20 minutes. I feel better than I did this morning. Maybe it was something I ate, school food probably. I haven't thrown up in 3 hours so I think I'm clear.

I got a shower and put on a blue hoodie and sweats again. I threw on some tennis shoes and was almost out the door when…

"Ash, where do you think you're going?" My mom asked.

"I'm going to Dawn's house." She seemed to lighten up.

"Okay honey, just try not to puke on her." She joked

"I'll try my best."

I knocked on Dawn's door. Her mom answered.

"Oh hi Ash."

I could hear Dawn crying in the background.

"Hi Johanna, is Dawn here?" I played dumb, but I just wanted to see Dawn right now.

"Yeah, but she can't see anyone right now." I wonder what happened.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, no. We're just talking about something."

"Oh okay. Well another time then. Bye."

Dawn's POV

I came home and my mom walked in the living room as soon as I walked in the door. She saw my cheek, I know she did.

"DAWN, WHAT HAPPENED?!"

"Nothing mom, I fell last night."

"On a hand?! Dawn who did this to you?"

"Nothing mom, don't worry."

"That's not working this time Dawn."

"Mom just let me go sleep. I'm tired."

"No Dawn, we're talking about this and I'll get the truth out of you."

"Mom. I'm fine. Can I just go sleep?"

"YOU'RE NOT FINE. THERE'S A CLEAR AS DAY HANDPRINT ON YOUR FACE." She started yelling.

"Mom, it's fine!" I started crying/yelling back

"DAWN, TELL ME THE TRUTH. WHO DID THIS?!"

"NO ONE MOM, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT."

Just then, there was a knock.

"I'll get it, you stay put."

I tried to listen and I think it was Ash.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, no. We're just talking about something." Mom no.

"Oh okay. Well another time then. Bye." No don't go, I need to be saved from this…

She slammed the door.

"I'm calling Delia."

Ash's POV

-"Yes this is Delia. Oh hi Johanna!"

-"What?!"

-"Someone did what!?"

"Mom what's going on?" I cut in.

"Ash, do you know about Dawn having a bruise on her cheek?" Ohh, so her mom found out.

"Umm. Yeah?" I answered sorta in a question.

-"He said he knows about it."

"Ash, do you know who did it?" I thought about this, wondering if Dawn would want me to tell.

"No, she didn't tell me."

-"Okay bye Johanna."

Dawn's POV

"Dawn, we aren't done this conversation. Now you can go to bed."

I sighed and went to my room without saying anything.

I checked my phone and I had a message from an unknown number.

Hey, It's Ash. Meet me at the park at midnight.

How did he get my number? Oh well that's not a concern.

It's 11:45. I made it look like I was in my bed with pillows.

I grabbed my phone and snuck out the window. I guess I forgot a jacket because I was feeling a little cold.

He didn't say where to meet him crap. I guess I'll find him.