Disclaimer: Ha! I'm a thief! (Just kidding!)

THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO "CAREBEAR STARE" WHO THINKS THAT SUMMER HAS CHANGED TOO MUCH, BUT I'LL EXPLAIN.

Carebear Stare, Summer is a normal girl in Newport, right? She doesn't have a very, very cold heart, or no pity for other's, right? Child abuse is really stressing. I didn't know and didn't care about abuse until I read a book – My Story by Dave Pelzer who personally got child abused every minute by his mother. Thrown over a gas stove, forced to drink ammonia, stabbed in his stomach, hit from one side of the house to another, Dave has survived and was lucky enough to escape his mother – who called him 'It' – to foster care, growing up and managing to write 3 books about his life. The depressing thing is, millions of people are abused like Dave, but only about a handful escape. So it's not weird if Summer's really, really worried about Kaela, right? Maybe people think that it's a big change, but when it comes to child abuse...anyone can feel emotionally stressed and worried.

A/N: Hey guys, it's The O.C.-oholic 'ere. Thanks for the reviews, and SO SORRY for the very late update. This chapter is long since the last one was short – Bec and I found that people like chapters to be long, right? Anyway, here goes.

Thank you to Monica, kiss (sorry i couldn't do the stupid dollar sign, it won't work)and Leentje who have reviewed, and sorry if I have missed anyone else, thanks to them too.

Kaela fell back onto the bed and looked at the photo of her and her mom, then at the picture of her older brother tickling her. She missed them so much, it was very depressing for her. But now, she had to overcome her abusive parents. Kaela remembered the time when she was 4, how her family was perfect, mom and brother still living with her and her dad. Everyday was a happy day, until her father found a new love interest who killed her mom and her brother. Kaela began to feel angry. Why didn't she try and kill me? She thought. Kaela took a look at her waist, which was covered in blood. She sighed through her nose. She was so stressed. Abused nearly everyday, nothing in her room except her bed and mirror and bathroom, and nothing to do. At least school wasn't as bad as home, Ryan's been really kind to me, and I'm adjusting to Newport. Kaela thought to herself. Suddenly, there was a knock on the window. Then another one. Kaela looked outside, and saw Summer waving excitedly. Kaela was realieved she was wearing a top over the wound.

'Hey Summer.' Kaela whispered loudly, opening the window.

'Hey Strach,' Summer whispered back, poking her head inside her room. 'Your room has like, nothing. A bed and mirror. Interesting.'

'It's not my fault.'

'I know.'

Kaela looked at her skeptically.

'Eh, what the hell are you doing here Summer?'

'I just wanted to tell you that it's school tomorrow.'

'Summer, I'm not stupid!'

'I was kidding. I wanted to ask you if you wanna stay at my house for a night tomorrow?'

'Oh, I dunno. I mean, I got in huge trouble when I came back tonight, so I better not.'

'Oh.'

'Yeah.'

'Okay, tell me when you can, which might be never, but.'

'Summer, it's 11:30! We have school tomorrow.' Kaela said sarcastically.

'I know, I'm not stupid!' Summre mimicked cheekily.

'Okay, so my point is, we have school so, good night.'

'Good night Strachan.'

Kaela waved. 'See ya tomoz.'

Summer waved back while running over to her house.

'Bye!' She shouted.

Kaela shut the window and lay on her bed, again. She sighed, again. Why did Summer come her anyway? Life was full of questions.

Trying hard to ignore the sharp pain below, Kaela closed her eyes.


'Hey Strachan,' Summer said. 'am I allowed to tell anyone about your abuse?' Summer asked as she ate her lunch.

'No!' Kaela hissed. 'No one in this bloody world must know!'

'Hey Summer.' Marissa sat next to them. 'Hey Kaela.'

'Hi.'

'Hey Coop.'

'Summer, can you go eat with Seth? I need to talk to Kaela.'

Summer shrugged and left to sit with Seth.

'Hey Kaela, are you interested in Ryan?'

'Uh, what?'

'Look, I have a plan. A while ago I was with him, but then we broke up. I really want him back, but he's been giving the attention to you these days. So if you don't mind, I want to ask him out.'

'Yeah, I don't mind.' Kaela lied. 'Why are you asking me?'

'Because I think Ryan likes you.' Marissa said. 'So if I don't hurry and ask him out and everything, I won't be able to get him.'

Kaela shrugged carelessly. 'You do whatever you want to do. Nothing got to do with me Marissa.'

Marissa smiled. 'Thanks.' For once in my life, Marissa thought. I might not have anyone standing in the way between Ryan and I.

'Pleasure.' Kaela said without enthusiasm.

Marissa held out her hand.

'We're friends, right?'

'Right.' Kaela reached out to shake her hand.

Kaela finished eating and was walking back to class when someone pushed her from behind. Kaela fell onto the floor, landing and slightly scraping on her stomach on the floor.

'Ow!' She said, and held her bleeding waist.

'Far out, the wound opened.' She muttered, and Summer and Seth ran over to her.

'What happened?' Summer asked.

'It's nothing. Nothing. Just food poisoning.' She murmured.

'Strachan, you're bleeding! Look at your waist!'

I know I'm bleeding! Kaela thought.

'It's just a little bit, it's nothing.'

Summer squatted down next to her and lifted Kaela's top a little bit.

'It's infected.'

Kaela tried to stand up, but the pain was just too unbearable.

'Don't stand up Kaela, it'll bleed more.' Seth said.


Okay, cliffhanger. Will Kaela admit to all that she's an sbused teenager? Or not? Okay, review, I kept getting writer's block for this one. Cya till chapter 7! Luv The O.C.-oholic