Third Person:

Allison releases a sigh of relief after she shoves the last piece of furniture to its spot.

It might not be the best circle in the world, but it will do, she tells herself.

Bending backwards, she cracks her back, groaning.

It's going to be a busy evening. She has a meeting with her favorite Church group tonight, and she is ecstatic about it, as always. They meet up once a week on Thursdays, sometimes even twice a week, depending on how the group is doing. Occasionally, she'll even do a one-on-one with them, which usually happens in the middle of the night when they call her out of the blue. She always knows it's them because the first thing she hears is their hysterical tears on the other end. It's really heartbreaking to hear, especially since she's really well-connected with some of them.

This particular Church group involves people who are..."different" from others. They really challenge her brain, making her struggle to find a solution to their problems. All she really does is talk to them; asking them about their feelings, seeing how they're doing, trying to know if there is anything new going on in their lives, etcetera. Sadly, whenever something new does comes up, it's not good. Allison also does her best to mention God at some point during their lesson. She tries to give them faith, to make them believe that He does love them, despite their differences toward other people. But it's hard for them to understand why He did this to them. Most of them think He did this to punish them, for whatever reason. That thinking process makes it hard for them to believe in Him.

And I can't really blame them, Allison thinks. They've all had harsh lives.

Even though they have gotten really close to one another personally, there is still a lot of trust issues that need to be solved. Especially with this one guy. Out of the whole group, which is only five people total, he's probably the one who's had it the worse.

He's really protective with himself and with the others (not to mention protective of the others-he almost treats them as a parent would treat a child). Everyone else has already given some hint of their past to Allison, it's only his that remains a secret.

You must have patience, she tells herself. Allison walks into the kitchen, which isn't very big, thanks to her small apartment.

She reaches for the phone. Better dial up dinner.

They have this small tradition where Allison buys dinner (almost always pizza) and they eat-kind of-and talk. Not everyone eats because then they'd have to "expose" their hidden nature.

After ordering the pizza, Allison sits back down on the couch. She glances at the clock on top of the TV.

Six o'clock. In half an hour they will be coming.

Meanwhile, Allison takes a rest and thinks about her poor friend Amy.

Poor, Amy...

Allison was not expecting her day to turn out like this at all when she came into work this morning. She wasn't expecting the urgent text Amy sent her or the positive pregnancy test or Amy's horrifying story.

A strong surge of anger pulses through her veins.

"That jackass!" she snarls, punching a pillow. Something satisfying shoots through her. Allison punches it again. She gets that same satisfying feeling. She punches it one last time, the feeling returns.

She becomes a full on maniac. Allison punches the pillow, imagining Jack's face each time she does. "Take that! And that! Come on, you stupid jerk! Fight back you dumb, stupid, two-faced, four-eyed, hairy-ass-butthole!" The punches become harder and harder with each insult. "You stupid sex-o-HOLIC!" Panting, Allison gives the pillow one last punch. She sits there, trying to regain her breath.

The doorbell rings, intervening her little tantrum.

Allison groans, her body aching.

The doorbell rings again.

She glances at the clock. It's only six-oh-seven. They aren't due for a good forty-five minutes.

A fast, insistent knock.

"Okay, okay. I'm coming," Allison grunts as she picks herself off the couch. Her feet drag themselves across the wooden floor as she opens the door. She gasps. "Amy! Oh my God! What happened? Are you okay?"

There, at the door, was her friend Amy. Duffel bag in hand, eyes red and full of tears, and a bruise forming on her left cheek.

One hour ago...

I stand there, shocked and heartbroken at what I am seeing.

I am also quite disgusted.

I think I'm going to puke. I'm going to puke. To puke... However, nothing comes out of my mouth-no vomit, no words, nothing.

It all makes sense now: the bra, Jack's urgent search for it, the late nights, the alcohol and the smell of woman's perfume. I gag at the memories and the sickening thoughts running through my head.

This can't be happening. This can't be happening...

Ohh, it's happening.

My body feels numb; my breath comes out in short gasps.

There, in the bed, is Jack, my boyfriend-MY boyfriend-on top of another girl. A girl who is not me.

My eyes close, tears spilling out.

When you are together with someone, you are suppose to respect one another and desire the other...not others. I respected him and I desired him-this just proves that he's never truly respected or desired me.

Wake up, Ames. This was his true personality all along. The rest was a facade. You landed yourself in the hands of a beautiful monster: alluring on the outside, a demon on the inside.

Jack and his...female companion (I wanted to use a more colorful, inappropriate term, but I need to keep some dignity) are kissing. They might've already done the deed, I don't know; all I know is that they are both nude and I'm seeing things I don't want to see.

Nausea makes my stomach lurch. I bring a hand to my tummy, hoping that will somehow soothe it, however, it only makes matters worse as I'm reminded of something: our baby.

My baby.

This baby might not have a father for a while, depending on what's going to happen with Jack and I. This baby will need a father figure in its life eventually, whether Jack is willing participate in it or not.

However, because of this, I'm not sure if I'll be able to look at another man again.

This is a huge eye opener for me. From this, I've learned that outward appearances aren't always what they seem to be. If you want the real person, you need to look deep inside.

Gasps from the bed make me look up in that direction. Maybe they've spotted me… Nope. Instead, Jack and the woman are kissing with fervent emotion. I can see their tongues thrust in and out of their mouthes, their hands grasping things that they shouldn't have even touched to begin with.

You'd think I'd be angry but I'm not. I guess in some way, deep down, I always expected this. I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive him now. I'm done being treated as garbage. I'm done being a puppet for him. All pity and love for him is gone...

...no, that's a lie; there is still some love for him, even now. A part of me wants to leave him, to break-up with him, but another part of me wants to try to forgive him-to forgive and forget. After all, I do need to do what's best for me.

No...I need to do what's best for the baby. And what is that? Staying with Jack-which is partially selfish because I'm not strong enough to break the strings on my body from his controlling hands-or leaving him for good?

I hear a loud gasp from the bed. "Oh my!" I refocus on Jack and his companion. She is staring at me with wide, fearful eyes. Jack hasn't even noticed me, he's too busy kissing her neck. Even from here, I can see she's a beautiful woman-long, curly hair, trim body, clean complexion; flawless.

"Jack," she whispers. "Jack!"

"What?" His voice is muffled.

"There is a girl in here, watching us!"

I straighten myself with sudden indignation. What a bitc-

"Amy!" Jack's head pops up, his eyes wide. With shaking limbs, he throws himself off the bed, grabbing some pants that are crumpled on the floor. "What are you doing here?"

"I got off work early," I mumble.

Jack looks at the woman. "Josephine-get out!"

The girl scrambles off the bed, grabbing her sprawled clothes from the floor, and runs out of the room, giving me one last look before disappearing from sight.

She better remember to put on her clothes before she leaves. We have little kids in the neighborhood.

I turn my attention back to Jack. He's staring at me, breathing hard. I wish I can read his stare, but I can't.

I'm the first one to speak. "So...how long has this-" I acknowledge the bedroom "-been going on?"

He shrugs, forcing a calm demeanor. "Does it matter?"

"Yeah," I say sharply. "It does."

He takes a moment to answer. "A few months."

I look down, nodding my head. "Is she the one who's been missing that bra?"

Jack looks up in surprise. "You found Anna's bra? When did you..." He trails off when he sees my face.

Josephine? Anna? Two of them?!

"There's more than one…" My voice states in a hoarse whisper. I stand there, letting pathetic whimpers escape my mouth.

"Oh, shush!" Jack snaps.

"You shush!" I snap back with all the venom my voice could muster. "You cheater! You liar! You...you...bastard!" I give him a hard shove.

Jack's eyes grow wide. "Amy!"

"Shut up!" I yell. "Was our relationship some sort of a game to you? Did you do all this just to have a one night stand with me?" Jack's body tenses. He's getting angry, but I don't let that stop me. "You made me believe you cared for me, that you loved me! I respected and loved you with all my heart! You have no respect for me!" I let out a soft sob. "You told me you could wait, that I was your one and only! You don't love me..." My voice dwindles off to a soft whisper. "And yet, I still have feelings for you."

Jack snarls, pushing me away from him. "God dammit, Amy! Don't be a drama queen!"

"Don't-don't be a drama queen? Ha! At least I'm not a cheating bastard!" I slump down on the bed then snap back up again. I don't ever want to lay in that bed again. If we are going to remain together we are changing the sheets-no, the whole mattress!

Jack turns to me, standing right above me. "This is your fault, Amy!" I back away. "Why didn't you tell me you were getting off early?!"

"I-I didn't know!"

Is this my fault?

"You weren't ever suppose to see this!"

"You weren't ever suppose to do this!"

My head gets thrown to the right. A sharp sting occupies the left side of my cheek. I can't believe it: he hit me. Jack straight-up hit me.

Jack is breathing harshly. "You don't tell me what I can and cannot do-I can do whatever I want!" Jack stomps to the closet, slamming it open. I hear him shoving objects around. "You need to leave, Amy." His words are blunt and stern.

I fall limply to the floor, holding my cheek. My mind can't process what's happening. Jack throws a duffel bag at me. "You're right," he growls, moving his hand to cup my chin, forcing me to look at him. "You were just a one night stand. I only wanted you for one thing and you gave it to me." Jack smirks, pushing my face aside. "Should've kept to your morals. Now, I want you to pack up and get out." He walks to the closet, grabbing a shirt and a jacket. He puts them on. "I'm leaving and when I get back, I want you out of this house."

"W-wait," I look at him dazedly. "A-are you kicking me out?" I small hiccup escapes my lips.

Jack gives a forceful nod. "Yep." Then he leaves. I hear the front door slam shut.

My whole body is dead; I feel nothing, see nothing, and I can't think properly. In a daze, I stand up.

What do I do now? I ask myself. It's probably best if you do what Jack told you to do. He'll calm down later, he'll come back to you...

I begin to pack my things: my clothes, my bathroom essentials and some money. Trying not to cry, or freak-out, I pick up my purse from the couch and walk out the door. Jack's words continue to repeat themselves in my head: I only wanted you for one thing. One thing, one thing, one thing...one...thing...

My body.

I place a hand against my stomach.

My poor baby. Fatherless at this point in time. Daughter or son to a total jackass. In the parking lot, I turn left, heading toward the bus stop. I know where I need to go, who I need to see, who will lend me a bed, comfort, and a warm shower.

I sit on the bus bench, waiting, thinking. Silent tears pour down my face. People walk past me, some give me pitiful stares, others ignore me.

Am I ready to be without a boyfriend? Without Jack?

Will he ever change? Will he ever take me back?

Will I always be this weak and pathetic? He cheated on you, Amy! He abused you...and you still want him back?

Some part of me always will. Some part of me will always need him.

My eyes close and stay closed. They snap back open when I hear the bus in front of me, the breaks hissing loudly once coming to a full stop. I get on the bus, leaving the life I knew, the life I was comfortable with, and head to a whole new world.

Now...

Allison hands me my one hundredth tissue as I finish telling her the story. Snot covers most of my face, my cheeks tear-streaked.

Allison's hand rubs up and down my back. "I am so sorry, Amy." She leans towards the coffee table, grabbing the ice pack she retrieved for me, the one I refused. This time I won't. I finish wiping my nose and take the pack from her. I place it gently on my cheek, hissing at the sudden sting of cold.

"Me too," I reply.

Allison sighs, rubbing her eyes. "Well, you can stay here as long as you need. It'll be like a sleepover."

I let out a small snort. "If that's what we're going to turn this into, we're going to need to buy lots of ice cream and cookies and chips. Ben & Jerry's is my preference."

Allison smiles. "At least you haven't lost your sense of humor."

I don't say anything.

"Well," Allison gets up. "I am going to put your bag in the spare room, there you can put your clothes away and make yourself at home."

"Thank you, Allison."

Allison picks up the duffel bag. "What are friends for?" She walks down the hall. With a sigh, I get up from my spot. I haven't been here for a couple of weeks and nothing has changed...except...I walk to a beautiful piano that sits in the corner of the room. It's small, but very fancy. I press a key, releasing beautiful sound. I close my eyes, listening to the serene note.

Allison walks back into the room. "Oh! There you are. Beautiful, isn't it?"

I nod. I've always had a thing for music. Actually, I've always had a thing for anything that deals with creativity. I enjoy acting, singing, writing, but I've never really done anything to improve myself in those subjects. I am taking acting classes, but only because they're fun, not because I want a serious acting career. I've never taking singing lesson before either, nor am I taking any creative writing classes. In fact, I have no clue what I want to do for my future. I may daydream often and sing when I'm alone, but I don't think I could ever go to the next level. Right now, I'm mostly experimenting with my classes, seeing which one calls out to me.

So far, there is nothing.

"When did you get it?" I ask. "This wasn't here the last time I visited."

"It's not technically mine."

"Huh?" I play a few more keys, enjoying the soothing notes.

"It's one of my Church members'. He asked if he could bring it here. Sometimes he plays for us, which is, by the way, amazing. He's an incredible musician."

I nod, acknowledging all that she said. "Why would he bring his piano in here to play with?"

Allison winces in hesitation. "It's hard to explain..." Her eyes pop wide open. "Oh my gosh, what time is it?" She glances at the clock. "Six-thirty." Allison looks at me with wide eyes. "Amy you have to go into your room for an hour and stay there."

I blink; the only response I have toward her sudden command. "What? Why?"

Without answering my question, Allison grabs my hand and tugs me into the hallway. "Because."

"'Because' is not an answer," I grunt, yanking my hand from her grasp. "Tell me why, then maybe I'll do what you want me to do."

"Amy..." Allison whines, her feet jogging in place at an anxious pace. The doorbell rings. Allison gasps. "Ugh, okay, fine. I have a Church group meeting tonight. These people are very suspicious of others they don't know. I've come a long way with them and don't want to ruin that by having them see you. Got it?"

"No."

Allison groans, rolling her eyes. She grabs my arm again. The doorbell rings a second time, with a knock placed after it.

"Coming!" Allison shouts. She turns back to me. "Look, these people are...different, special."

"How?" I ask, walking into "my" room.

"They...they..." Allison struggles with her words.

"They..." I push, trying to help her.

"I guess you can say they have special needs."

"Like...they are mentally challenged?"

"No...more like...physical deformities," Allison says in a light whisper. She begins to nibble on her thumb.

"Oh." I'm still a little confused by the whole thing, but at least she told me. "I appreciate you telling me. I-I'll stay here, like you want me to."

Allison sighs. "Thank you, Ames." She walks over to me and gives me a kiss on the forehead. "Don't come out of this room."

I nod.

Allison runs to the door, then stops. "Oh, I ordered some pizza a while ago, it should be here in a few minutes, would you like some?"

I shake my head. I can't even think about eating at the moment. "Not now. Maybe later."

Allison nods. "Call me when you want some. I'll send some in here."

The doorbell rings again, then again.

"Got to go," she whispers. The bedroom door closes.

I look around the room, observing my new surroundings: there is a bed over in the far left corner, a desk at the adjoining wall, with a small window above it. To my right, there is a closet and a full-body-length mirror. My suitcase is on the floor next to the bed.

With the ice pack still pressed against my cheek, I let out a sigh and collapse down on the bed. For the tenth time today, I cry for a jerk of a boyfriend.

Ex-boyfriend...