It was just a show. It had all been a show.

Only it fooled her – or maybe she wanted to be fooled.

Her dad duped everyone into thinking he'd turned a new leaf. He quit drinking, showed up sober to work every day, and even kept the usual scowl out of his voice. There had been no screaming matches or wild rampages at all hours of the night, and he even bought Hailey a wrist brace after she took her cast off. It was like the sharp edges that defined him had been sanded down to a point where Hailey felt hope start to rise, hope that he'd changed.

It seemed a little too good to be true.

And it was.

He once again showed his true colors tonight at the diner.

Closing her bedroom door slowly to prevent unnecessary noise, Hailey steadily walked over to stand in front of her closet mirror, briefly staring at herself. She looked like a washed-out version of herself. Taking off her sweater, her left arm came out first, followed by the right arm, grimacing with every inch exiting the sleeve until fully exposed. Dropping the sweater on the floor, she got a good, sickening look at her right arm, which was already bruising.

fuck.

The sight of it made her angry, then her anger immediately transformed into grief. The more she stared at it, at the indentation of his fingers on her skin, the more reality set in, and the last flicker of hope died inside her - her father would never change.

With that thought she looked at herself in the mirror and started to cry, a steady flow of angry tears cascaded down her face, the heaviest cry she had in a while, feeling a sense of release, having been holding back most of those tears while finishing up her shift.

God forbid she let a single tear escape.

Poking her right arm with her finger to test how tender the skin was – tender enough for her to wince in discomfort. Overcome with a burning rage and sadness, feeling like her life was once again spiraling out of control, she threw her sweater back on and sneaked out of her bedroom, heading to the one place – the one person who could ease her mind and soothe the ache in her chest.

Climbing up to his window with the throbbing in her right arm was a challenge, but she pushed through the pain using anger as fuel. Once at his window, she applied her fingertips to the bottom of the sash and lifted it with a sharp tug, letting herself in and closing the window behind her.

Jay stirred, then realizing what was happening, he swung his feet off the bed, rubbing the sleep of his eyes with the backs of his fists. He wore a pair of navy plaid flannel pants and a smile, which quickly faltered when his eyes finally clocked the emotions rippling across her face – there was no hiding it.

Hailey blinked at the sudden change in his demeanor, sending a cruel pang to her heart.

"Hailey…?" He jumped to his feet, all sleepy and disoriented. He was in front of her in two strides, grabbing her shoulders, eyes searching. "Are you okay? What happened?"

She just looked at him, her chin wobbling precariously, as she attempted not to cry.

"Hailey, are you hurt?"

She closed her eyes and nodded, letting the tears roll over her face. She knew she couldn't lie to him. Even if she tried, he would see right through her.

"Where are you hurt?" Jay asked, hands gently touching her, checking, wiping away runaway tears, offering care and concern. When he touched her injured arm and she winced, he paused, eyes lingering on her, before slowly tugging the sleeves of her sweater up. She opened her eyes when she felt him stiffen suddenly, his eyes widening.

"Jesus Christ, Hailey. What the hell happened?"

She saw his frame shake in anger, but his chest stretched with deep breaths, a visible effort to calm himself. He lifted his hand to cup her cheek and another gush of tears slid down her face.

"Hailey?"

When he whispered her name she turned her swimming eyes to him. "I-I was cleaning… and the bucket, it, uh, it spilled, and—" Angry images flashed in her mind, cutting her words short, like clips from a horror movie. The grip of panic was so powerful, she flinched.

"Hey, it's okay. Come here. You're safe now."

He reached out and took her hand and pulled her into a tight embrace. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in the hollow between his chin and shoulder, struggling to get herself under control. Time seemed to stop as she soaked up the feel of him, his scent and warmth enveloping her in a familiar, comforting hug. For several minutes she just held on to him as he ran his hand soothingly up and down her back.

After another moment, he pulled back and cupped her face again, gently nudging her to look at him.

"Aside from your injured arm, are you okay?" he asked when she finally met his eyes.

She shrugged as she tried to sort through her emotions. "I don't know."

He nodded understandingly. "How about we ice it and put some vitamin K to keep the bruising to a minimum?"

She exhaled in a wobbly, weak fashion, and blinked up at him, her eyelashes wet and sticking together. She puffed out her cheeks on the next breath and nodded. "Kay."

"It's going to be alright," he said, his voice rough. "We'll figure this out." He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Wait right here, I'll be right back."

When Jay returned, he iced and applied cream to the red welts forming on her arm. Slowly, Hailey began to feel better; her heart was calmer, and the fiery agony in her chest began to dissipate. When they climbed into bed and snuggled together, it felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

There were no words that would make either of them feel better right now, but holding each other kept it from hurting quite so badly.

Jay was silent, but Hailey could feel the blood in his veins, pumping hard with concealed anger and fear.

She could feel the beating of his heart thudding against her ear.

She put her arms around his middle, pushing her body as close to his as possible, wanting to take away the anguish she was causing. He sighed and her heart sank to her stomach. She watched him slowly rake a hand through his hair, but he remained quiet for a long time.

Eventually, she broke the silence, craning her head to look up at him, emotionally unprepared to hear the thoughts she knew were spinning a million miles a minute in his head.

"Say whatever it is you want to say," Hailey whispered.

She felt him take a deep breath then, as he let it out, he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly to him. She craned her head to look up into his face and saw the tenderness in his eyes, but there was determination there too—the kind of determination that would yield her the moon if she asked him to pluck it out of the sky.

"Hailey, I think it's time. We have to talk to someone. This situation is getting out of hand. If putting you in a hospital wasn't enough of a wake-up call for him, I don't know if anything will be."

She knew Jay didn't mean to hurt her with his words, but the truth in them cut through her like a knife, straight through her flesh, into her bones, into her heart – Her father didn't give a damn about her. She fought back the tears once again and swallowed hard on the sob rising in her throat.

"It's just going to keep happening, Hailey," he added.

"I think my mom might do something this time," she said. "She looked mad tonight, and I have never seen her mad before."

"What would she do? Kick your dad out of the house? File a report?" When Hailey shrugged he continued, "Let me play devil's advocate here..." Gently he took hold of her nervous fingers drumming against his bare chest and asked, "What if she doesn't do any of those things? What if being mad is all the reaction you'll get from her? What then?"

Hailey shook her head, feeling her heart sink again, freefalling towards her toes. Thinking about her mom succumbing to this way of life made the bit of hope she carried with her turn into something sharp and dark.

"We should have a plan, Hailey, me and you."

"W-What kind of plan?"

"A plan to put an end to this. A plan that keeps you safe You, your mom, and your brother." Jay hesitated for a moment, then said, "Maybe you could ask that detective you know. Make up a hypothetical scenario, say it's about a friend. Because I don't believe you are as stuck as you think you are. There are organizations that can—"

"Jay, why do you think we moved from Lake Forest?"'

Jay's brow furrowed. "I don't know," he said. "You've never told me."

"A teacher at my old school got nosy and started asking questions… it became a whole thing. Word got out and people started talking. Then CPS got involved…." She drew in a quivering breath. The thought of CPS and what it would mean if they were called again sent shivers down her spine. "But what I learned from that whole ordeal was that no one is out there to help us. They only pretend to care before dumping you into the system and forgetting you ever existed."

"The alternative isn't any better, Hailey. It's actually more dangerous." He gentled his voice. "I'm not here to force you to talk to anyone, that's not what I'm doing. I just want you to consider that there might be other options that you and I don't know about. Safe houses, shelters for women, legal services… You guys could keep the house, the diner…. It can't be worse than this."

Hailey sighed. Jay wasn't wrong, she needed an escape plan in case shit really hit the fan. Deep in her heart, she knew this. It was her stubborn brain that refused to accept it (holding on to that glimmer of hope her mom would do something). Maybe she could talk to detective Trudy Platt, and ask her for advice. She didn't seem like she would dismiss her and throw her into the system. She cared.

"So, what do you say? Can we come up with a plan, me and you?" Jay pressed. "And it would only be used as a last resort with your go-ahead."

"Do we have to think about it right now?"

"No," he shook his head. "It's late. We can just go to sleep if you want."

She looked up into his face, his eyes were soft, his expression softer. She still felt the butterflies in her stomach whenever he looked at her like that – like she was his entire world – the way her entire body tingled when he was near, and how her heart skipped a beat when he talked to her in that deep, smooth voice that she knew he reserved just for her.

Jay was a good guy, a decent guy, and she loved him with everything she had. Loved him so much it could physically hurt if she let it.

And there was very little she could deny him.

"Okay, we can think of a plan."

x

As much as Jay wanted to be angry over this whole situation—with her dad and her mom's impassiveness – he needed to focus on Hailey. She needed to come first. Most importantly, she needed to know that amidst all the chaos, she could depend on him. In the past, he'd let his rage get the better of him, but he could not afford to do that now. Not when Hailey's safety was at stake. She agreed to devise their own plan, so he should put some stock in that and deal with things as they came.

But it had already been a few days, and she hadn't brought up the subject again. So, he held back because, for anything to happen, it would have to come from her. He'd learn early on that pushing Hailey always backfired.

A week later, there was a fire drill while Jay and Hailey were in Biology. As the sirens rang loudly, Mrs. Garcia signaled for the class to follow her. They trailed behind her into the hallway and exited out through the side doors. It was a nice spring day, not a cloud in the sky, so the interruption was welcomed.

Minutes later, fire trucks, ambulances, and police cruises roared in with sirens blaring and emergency lights flashing. The fireman began doing their thing while administrative personnel strolled around, reminding students that a fire drill didn't require talking.

"Want to go for a walk?" Jay whispered into Hailey's ear, tugging at her hand. "We can circle the tracks and come back. It just seems a shame to be standing around squandering the nice weather."

"Do you think we can slip out unnoticed?"

"The whole school is out here; no way they can keep tabs on everyone."

Hailey tilted her head slanting a close look at him. "What if we get caught?"

"What's the worse it could happen? I am no longer on probation."

She pursed her lips, then looked up at the blue sky and said, "Okay. Doesn't seem like we're going inside anytime soon."

Jay flipped his hand over and laced their fingers together as they sneakily broke away from the crowd of students standing idly by. When they were a few yards away, he tugged her hand, pulling her into him, and eased his arm around her shoulders, sheltering her against his side.

When they reached the tracks, he said, "So, I've been thinking about re-joining the cross-country team."

"Really?" she asked. He could hear the excitement in her voice and he grinned.

"I think so. I've been running again, thanks to you," he replied, poking her gently in the side so that she giggled as she swatted at his hand. "And my foot doesn't feel so bad. Plus, it will get me out of the house and make me feel less like a prisoner. Doubt my mom will have a problem with me staying after because I re-joined the team."

"I think that's a great idea, Jay. Can't wait to see you compete."

She wrapped her arms around his middle and gave him a squeeze, making him feel both weak and strong at the same time.

"Will you sit on the stands and wear my letterman jacket?" Jay asked with a coy smile.

Hailey laughed. "Only if you ask nicely."

Jay looked around, hesitating, and before he could lean down to kiss her, Hailey closed the distance between them, standing on her tiptoes so that her lips met his first. He took it from there, dipping his head down and sliding a hand through her hair. He kissed her, sweetly and thoroughly, definitely a fine way to ask her nicely.

When he pulled back his face probably mirrored hers, only his was a little toothier and crazed than he would have liked.

"Was that nice enough?" he asked.

She looked up at him and grinned, her cheeks flushing the same sweet, pink color he'd seen all over her body before. She was so cute he wanted to stay in this moment and bask in her.

"I will proudly wear your letterman jacket and wait for you at the finish line," she answered with a smile.

Jay's cheeks were beginning to ache. Stop smiling, you fool.

"It will be all the motivation I'll need."

He leaned down to kiss her again, clearly meaning it to be quick, but Hailey gripped the front of his shirt and kissed him deeply, passionately, as if she couldn't get enough of him. It served him well because he couldn't get enough of her either.

They continued to circle the track, talking and laughing, stealing kisses here and there until they were interrupted by their vice-principle speaking into a bullhorn, telling everyone to go back inside.

Jay jutted his chin towards the school and said, "We should head back."

Hailey nodded.

On the way back to the school, Jay asked, "How's your arm?"

Hailey shrugged nonchalantly, though Jay knew she couldn't be nonchalant about this. "It's better." She tugged her sleeves up over her wrists, where the reddening was beginning to yellow. "See, not that bad. It's just sore now."

Jay tried to smile, but his features were probably molded more nearly to a grimace. "Has your dad said anything?"

Hailey shook her head. "I'm not holding my breath for an apology. Not when I know it's complete garbage."

"How about your mom? Has she made a move, or hinted that she's going to do anything?"

"She's been spending a lot of time in her room. Sometimes I hear her on the phone. She is planning something, but I think she is keeping it under wraps so dad doesn't find out."

Jay nodded, though he had his doubts. "Probably smart. We should probably come up with our own plan soon, right? he asked gently.

Her face fell, but she quickly forced a smile to hide it. "Yeah, we'll definitely make a plan. Just not now, okay?" Her voice harbored a pleading undertone that haunted him a bit.

"Okay," Jay agreed. "But soon, though."

"Yeah. Soon." She sighed, her expression turning wistful on her face. "Things might be changing soon."

"Change can be good, right?"

"I hope so."

The rest of the day flew by in a blur. Before they knew it, the last bell rang, and Hailey went to work at the diner, while Jay headed to the gym to speak to coach Olinsky about rejoining the cross-country team. As expected, he welcomed the young runner back with open arms and told him to come ready to practice the next day.

From the outside looking in, Jay's life seemed to be looking up. He was no longer on probation, he had an amazing girl he absolutely loved and was once again a member of the cross country team. It all seemed picture-perfect, except for the fact that his girlfriend's dad was an abusive prick. It was a strange dichotomy. There were times when Jay could close his eyes and be extremely happy with how things were. Then he'd open them and see the bruises littering his girlfriend's body and feel an ache deep in the pit of his stomach.

The next day in school, while heading to the bathroom during his fourth-period class, Jay saw Hailey in the principal's office. He even did a double-take to make sure it was her, but there was no place or situation where he wouldn't recognize her. He could recognize Hailey with his eyes closed. Her hair, her smell, and even the way she walked stood out from everyone.

He sneakily popped his head inside the office area and whispered softly from the doorway, "Pss-st… Hailey." She looked over her shoulder, finding his gaze. "What are you doing here? You in trouble?"

She shook her head and rolled her eyes. A lopsided smile lifted one side of her mouth. "Didn't care to adhere to the gym dress code."

Jay stared at her, confused, for a split second, before comprehension dawned on him. With the weather warming up, the gym dress code was T-shirt and shorts. Right now, Hailey couldn't risk exposing her arm.

"You think you'll get detention?"

"They'll probably just write me up, I think." She shrugged, clearly unconcerned about the repercussions. "You should probably go back to class before you—"

"Hailey?" A familiar voice called. Both turned to see Mrs. Lewis standing there. "Oh, Jay, you're here too? You guys in trouble?"

Jay frowned, his gut twisting. "No, not in trouble. I was just on my way back to class and –"

"I was sent here by Mr. Crowley," Hailey cut in. "Jay was just walking by."

Mrs. Lewis gazed between them. She narrowed her eyes, studying their faces, then pursed her lips. "Jay, let me give you a late pass, so you don't get in trouble." She pulled a little pad from her pocket and signed a white slip, before handing it to Jay. "Straight to class," she added.

Jay looked down at the slip, then between Hailey and Mrs. Lewis. He felt as if he was frozen in place, afraid to move. He'd told Mrs. Lewis about a friend being hurt. Just the other day, she saw Hailey's cast and probably clocked the healing scar above her brow and the lingering discoloration on her left cheek. And now, here was Hailey, refusing to change into a T-shirt and shorts. Anyone with half a brain could put two and two together. Mrs. Lewis was probably already making those conclusions in her head.

There was no chance but for everything to implode now.

Jay felt his heartbeat speeding up in his chest, a cold sweat clutching at his body. He looked at Hailey and she frowned. She'd gotten pretty good at reading his emotions, and whatever she was seeing rippling across his face– fear, anxiety, panic – probably didn't make any sense. He needed to get his shit together. He needed to slow down his heart rate and remain calm. So, he made himself take deep breaths and forced a smile, but only one corner of his lip turned up.

"Go on, Jay," Mrs. Lewis prompted. "Head on back to class."

"Okay." He squared his shoulders and forced his feet to get moving. He waved his hand awkwardly and added, "See you later, Hailey."

Jay walked back to class with a different kind of ache in his chest. He tried taking deep breaths, but it did little to help loosen the knot growing tighter in his stomach. He counted the minutes until he would see her again. When the last bell rang, he beelined for her locker, finding her there packing up for the day. His brain was still in a daze, and his eyes lingered on her face for a minute, trying to read her but finding nothing amiss.

He willed his heartbeat to return to normal, but it wasn't cooperating. It was tripping so fast and beating so hard she could probably hear it if he got any closer. It was a long moment before he trusted himself to approach her.

"Hey." He leaned against the locker next to hers, trying to sound casual. "Everything go okay at the principal's office?"

"Oh, yeah," she waved her hand dismissively. "Got out with a warning."

"Oh, okay." He forced a nonchalant smile on his lips. "Did, uh…did Mrs. Lewis say anything after I left?" he asked, his voice coming out half an octave higher than usual. Shit.

Hailey shook her head. "No, she was really nice and actually talked to the principal for me."

"Oh." He released a relieved breath, easing the knot in his stomach. "That's… cool. So, she didn't, like, ask you anything about—" He hesitated for a moment, trying to think of the best way to ask this question without alarming her. In the end, he chickened out. So, instead of saying what he really wanted, Jay asked, "Did she say anything about us kissing the other day?"

Hailey chuckled. "No, she just asked why I was sent to the office, but enough about that," Hailey said waving the subject away like it was a pesky insect. A slow smile spread across her face and she nudged him excitedly. "It's your first day back on the team. You ready?"

Jay smiled, this time it was genuine. "I think so. I will probably get my ass handed to me. Doubt Coach Olinsky will go easy."

Hailey looked up into his face and touched his cheek lightly. Jay saw a look in her eye he knew so well – all mischievous and shy. He felt his chest tighten and his heart pick up the pace, this time, in the best way.

She looked around, then leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Maybe I can come over and make your sore muscles feel better."

Jay smiled, trying to ignore the flush of heat climbing up his neck. "I would like that very much," he said, his voice hoarse. He cleared his throat and swallowed. "My muscles will probably be very sore."

A quiet chuckle escaped her as a warm flush spread across her cheeks, too.

"I'm really excited for you, and I want to hear all about it. I'll definitely be over tonight." She pulled him down, grasping the open ends of his sweater, for a kiss, firm but still sweet. "Go. You don't want to be late on your first day back."

"I'll be waiting for you," he said with a wink.

He walked away and his stomach knot loosened, but today was again far too close for comfort.