Song for this chapter~ Hurricane - Halsey

Crossing the Line

2 weeks later...

~Lilly's POV~

David pulled up to the front steps of my house. "Alright babe, keep practicing. You'll get those turns down."

I rolled my eyes, "Don't call me babe." I looked up at my door steps, suddenly not wanting to go inside. "Um..."

David chuckled softly, "Are you going? Or do you not want to leave me?"

"No... It's just..." I spent at least an hour with David today and yesterday practicing on my turns for a new dance we're learning. For the past two weeks he's been teaching me how to turn and spot. I have been improving slowly but surely. And it's been helping me with the dance I'm teaching Raph. In fact, Raph is getting into it and actually wanting to continue to learn the dance. Makes me proud. He's almost done too.

"What's wrong?" He put his car in park and place a hand on my knee.

"I don't want to go in just yet. Tensions have been building up in my home and I don't want to be there when things blow." I said fumbling with my hands. "I'm sorry..." I was just about to open the door when David locked it.

"Here, I'll take you to my place. You can stay there for a while. I'll drive you back here later okay?" David insisted kindly.

I shook my head, I am so not ready to meet the family. "No no. Go ahead. I doubt anything will happen. If it does I'll use my moms phone to text you okay?"

David unlocked the doors then got out of the car. "Alright," he came over and opened my door. "If anything goes wrong, I'll come over me pick you up." He grabbed my hand and helped me out of the car.

I smiled, "Thank you."

He gave me a soft, warm kiss. My hand caressed his cheek softly, my cheeks warming when I felt his arm wrap around my waist for just a moment. "Your welcome." He said before kissing my nose. "Don't hesitate to call me for anything alright?"

I nodded, grabbing my bag. "I'll call." I gave him another kiss before finally watching him leave, I walked up the stairs to my house and pulled out my phone which has been vibrating like crazy all day. Most texts been from April... One text from Raph. And one text from Mikey just saying hi.

He's adorable.

I read Raph's first.

'Hope you don't mind me coming over?'

I texted back.

'Not at all. Just let me clean up first ;p'

I dug into my bag and pulled out my keys, but just before I could even pick which key I had to put in the door, it flung open and I was yanked inside. The door shut behind me and I was able to see John glaring down at me. I grabbing my keys and slowly began to put them between my fingers.

John growled angrily, "Where were you?"

"School." I said beginning to walk to my room when he yanked me back to him again. "Hey!" I yelped.

"You liar. Tell me the truth, where were you!" He asked again.

"Fucking school!" I yelled back, pushing his hands off me. "Don't you ever touch me like that!" I growled.

"I know you're lying. You always yell when you lie. You're just like your mother." He spat with a smirk. "You were with that boy again weren't you?"

"Not this again. Oh my god! Why do you fucking care about who I go out with? If my mom doesn't, you shouldn't." Ever since I accepted David's invitation to be his girlfriend, John has been on my ass about him. He's been freaking out to my mom about me staying in late when really, I'm either with David and we're dancing or with April and the guys. Every time I come home he yells at me, and then my mother tells him to stop and then they get into it. It's been fucking annoying. It causes me to stay out later because I don't want to deal with his stupid bullshit.

"You're living in my house. You'll follow my rules." I began to walk away from him. "Get back here or I'll drag you back here."

"The hell you will. You do not get to talk to me like that. You do not get to touch me at all." I am not scared of him. I know he can hurt me yeah, but he knows I could give two shits in where he goes and I can call the cops and press charges. But then I'll have to deal with my mom...

"Lillian!"

I grunted, "You are not my dad, John. You do not get to say anything about my life. You could care less about it. You don't get to have a say in anything that involves me. Don't get involved now, and start acting like you care now."

John walked up to me, grabbing my hands. It startled me, the look on his face scared the crap out of me- so I quickly slapped him. Hard, and fast.

John stopped, it took my a while to realize that I still had my keys in my hand. Only when he turned to glare at me did I realize just how bad I injured him. Little droplets of blood were already dripping from the small holes in his cheek.

I looked at my hand with my mouth wide open. Oh shit... I did not mean to do that but I'm glad I did.

Before I could say anything John's arm came hard at my head, his fist punching my temple, sending me falling to the floor of my room. "You dumb bitch. You're going to end up like your mother. Pregnant! With a fucking boy that could care less about you! Ha! Do you honestly think that I don't care?! He's never going to love you and you think I don't care." He stepped over me. "I'm telling you the truth. It's showing that I care."

I wiped the tears from eyes, I grabbed my keys and threw the at his face. "Fuck you, John!"

He growled, "I hope you end up like your mother. A worthless piece of shit that has to depend on a man for everything because she's too useless."

"Fuck you!" I yelled, kicking his leg. "Get out!"

He swung his leg, kicking me in the stomach. "You sit there and you think about how much I care. Fucking bitch." He then spat on me and walked out the door, slamming it so hard that it shook the whole room. I wiped my face with my sleeve and attempt to get up, my lungs burning without the sensation of air in them. I gasped and hacked and coughed...and cried.

I wiped my face again then took off my jacket. I took a deep breath, my elbows giving out on me. I fell back to the floor and let out a sob. "Fuck..." I cursed.

Get up. Get up. You can get up and go away. You already have a bag packed, just go.

Where?

Anyways but here. He's going to keep doing this. Get up and go! You've had worse than a kick in the stomach! Get up, Lillian!

"Oh shit..." I groaned as brought my knees up, my vision blurred. I took a deep breath and I suddenly heard my name.

"Lilly?"

I looked up and saw Raph coming through the window. He smiled at me and chuckled softly, "What are you doing on the floor?"

Tell him... He can help you.

"Um... I... I tripped and got the wind knocked out of me." I chocked out, finally standing up. I noticed my hands had little cuts on them, I squeezed my hand and hissed. My keys. "W-What's up?" I said, my lip trembling. I looked down at my shoes, picking my bag up and my keys.

"Nothing, just came to say that April's dad is back." He said softly.

"He is!" I coughed. "That's amazing. How'd he take you guys?"

"Surprisingly well. Donnie saved him." He said, coming over and sitting on my bed. "April wants you to come and say hi." He laid back, arms above his head. "Came to pick you up."

I nodded, then turned my back to him. "Sure. Let me just..." My voice crackled.

"Hey, you sure you okay? I mean, I did hear yelling. Something else happen." Raph asked sincerely.

I wiped my eyes... Tell him you dumb bitch

I shook my head, "Shit..."

"Does it have to do with David?" He asked.

I guess. John wants me to leave him. "Kind of, I guess..." I whined.

"Are you guys...over?"

"No..."

"Oh... Then what's up, bro? You sound like you're crying." I heard him stand up from my bed. "If you guys had a fight and you need to cry I ain't judging." He laughed softly.

"Don't talk so loud. John will hear you." I whispered.

"Oh he's here?" He scoffed. "Was he the one yelling?"

I nodded, turning around. I saw Raphael's expression change, his eyes suddenly became worried when he saw my wet cheeks and red eyes. His eyes widened a bit, "Lil', what's wrong?"

I was silent, looking down at my hands. Only about three our four little cuts. Nothing deep, not even blood to be seen. "John he..."

Raphael walked slowly over to me, "What happened? What did he do?"

No need to make a big deal now... "Nothing, I'm just..." I shook my head.

"Did he touch you again?" He asked sternly, causing me to wince at the tone. I watched as his hands clenched when I didn't answer. "That little-" he walked passed me, my eyes widening in horror.

I turned to grab his hand, pulling him back before he could open the door. "Are you crazy?!"

"No. I'm sane. Enough to know this guy needs a beat down." He growled.

"No Raph." I pulled him back then pushed him toward the window. "You're fucking insane if you think you're going to show yourself to him. To anyone!" I whispered harshly.

"So what? You want this to go unpunished? This isn't the first time but I can make it the last." He threatened.

In all honesty, his anger made my heart warm. It made me feel reassured, like I could depend on him if someone hurts me. But I was freaking out at the same time because he's fucking crazy. What's going through his mind? Showing himself to John?! Out of all the people he could show himself to, he picks John. "No. I don't. But you can't do anything. I don't want you to."

"What?" He breathed.

"Yes. I don't want anyone to do anything. Especially you. You're putting yourself in danger. Don't-"

He sighed, walking past me once more, "He needs to pick on someone his own size." He pulled out his sai. "He'll never touch you again. I'll make sure of it. You don't have to worry about me."

I ran to the door blocking him from going out in utter fear. What was he going to do, stab him? Raphael wasn't just putting himself in danger he was putting his entire family in danger. I couldn't let him do that for me. Not for me. I knew he was a hot head but this much? Jesus... "Not for me please! Raph, calm down..."

"Calm down? Calm down!?" He yelled. My hands flung to his mouth quickly shushing him.

"Shut up!" I whispered harshly. "He'll hear you."

He pushed my hands away, "No. I will not."

I shook my head, throwing my arms around his neck and holding him in desperation. "Please Raph. Please don't do this. Not for me. Don't do this for me." I cried.

I felt him tense up at my desperation, then with a sigh he relaxed against me. I felt him put his sai back then he pulled me off of him. "Lilly, you're not safe here."

I wiped underneath my eyes, cursing when I saw black tear drops. I went over to my mirror and began to wipe all the make up I had dripping down my face. I can't believe I just bawled my eyes out in front of Raphael. The last person I would ever show my vulnerable side to. "I know. Okay? I know I'm not safe here. But where am I going to go?"

He stayed silent. I knew what he was going to say next. "You can-"

"I will not go with you to intrude on you and your family. I refuse to be someone else's burden." I wiped underneath my eyes once again, finally getting the last bit of make up. "I can take care of myself. I just don't want you to...do anything."

Raph scoffed, "Burden?"

"Yes, Raph... You and your family don't deserve-"

"Don't talk about us like we don't care about what you're going through. You know, just as well as April, that we are willing to through hell and back just to make sure you're safe." He growled angrily. I knew he wasn't angry at me, maybe a little, but he was more angry at the fact that he couldn't do anything to John. "I don't like anyone touching you like that."

"Raph, you barely even know me. Why do you care?" I asked, sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Because you're our friend. What do you mean why do I care? We all care. From the moment you set foot into our lives till the moment you want us out of it- and probably beyond." Raphael said, kneeling in front of me. "I'm not..." He sighed. "I'm not going to do anything to him. Okay? I won't... But. But but but... If he tries anything again, anything! Even if it's on accident... I'm getting my brothers and we're jumping his ass."

I snorted, wiping the last tear from my eye. "Thank you." Raph is starting to mean more to me than I ever thought he would. Him and all of his brothers. I gave him a reassuring smile to let him know that I was okay. And I was... "Thank you so much."

"Don't doubt our loyalty. I'll kick your ass." He threatened playfully.

I rolled my eyes, "I'm sorry you had to see me like that."

"I've seen April at her worst. It's only fair I see you too." He shrugged, standing up. "You going to come with me to see April's dad or what?"

I looked at my puffy smudged eyes in the mirror and gagged at my reflection. "Let me take off and put back on my make up."

Raph rolled his eyes, sighing heavily, "Oh come on... You look..."

"Like a raccoon?"

"Actually..."

"You douchebag." I chuckled.

~Raph's POV~

I was ready to kill him. I swear, I've never wanted to kill anybody so much in my entire life but in that moment I was seeing red and the only thing that stopped me from kicking through that door was Lillian's body hanging off of my neck while she sobbed into her arm, begging me to not do anything. I'm still in shock that she would do anything like that, especially towards me. She's never hugged me before.

I was pissed that she didn't want anything to happen to that guy. Almost like she cared about what happened to him. I knew she didn't but that's how she was coming off. I knew why she didn't want me to do anything- in my opinion she was acting like Leo. Putting my family in danger? We punch guys all the time so if I kick the shit out of this one guy nothing bad will happen from it right? Pretty sure I'm in the gold to kick his ass...

Later... I swear I'll get my part in beating the shit out of him. No mercy.

But there was one thing that pissed me off more than anything. How Lillian thought that I don't care, after we established that very clearly that I do. Even if I didn't know Lil' like I do, I would have reacted the same way. A man should never hit a woman. Ever! And it's even worse because one- she's a teen- and two- I know her and care. We all do. Especially Mikey! I mean, come on... She honestly thinks Mikey doesn't care. Wait till she sees how he's going to react when he finds out about this.

I'm going to tell him. I like angry Mikey. I don't know why but I find him less annoying and more relatable when he's angry.

Lillian was getting ready by her mirror, sitting on the floor while she...I have no idea. It looked like she was stabbing her eye or something. I was just watching how precise she was with her movements. She wanted to look perfect. Every detail. Like she was painting.

"You're pretty good at that." I said, after like five minutes of just staring at her like a fucking idiot.

She blinked for a moment, then looked at me through the mirror and smiled. "Thanks. Years of YouTube videos and practice. And money. This shit is expensive."

"Why waist your money on that then?"

"Waist? This stuff makes me look good."

"You look fine. With or without it."

She pouted, "Awe, Raph... I'm still gonna use it." She continued to draw on her face. After a while longer she stopped and looked at herself in the mirror. "Alright, now I let the liner dry so I can put on mascara." She began to put away whatever she was using. Then she grabbed her phone, "Ugh, the quiet is making me think. I hate thinking."

I chuckled amusingly, "Think? About what?"

"Everything. I think, then I overthink, then I become in this quiet sad state. So I play music to...escape, I guess." She said as she looked through her phone. "Sorry if any dirty songs come on. Most of the songs I have in there is my dances."

"You have our song on there?" I asked.

She nodded, "Why? Wanna practice?" She smirked playfully.

I scoffed, "No." At least not now.

She put on some rock song like I thought she would, then closed her eyes and sighed.

I could help but think to myself... I bet her boyfriend has never seen her like I've seen her. And it made me kind of happy to know that she trusted me and that she's willing to show this side of herself to me. I like hearing her talk. Since I'm not that interesting, and her life is filled with events, I like it when she talks about herself. She's interesting.

"Can I ask you a question?" I asked nervously.

She opened her golden eyes... Wow, that makeup really does make her eyes pop. "Besides the one you just asked, yeah..." She smiled.

I chuckled softly, fumbling with her bed covers. "Do you find me..." I shrugged, "...intelligent?"

She blinked, "What do you mean? If I think you're smart? Like math equations and shit...?"

I shrugged again.

"Hmm..." She hummed to herself. "Yes. Especially on the street. You know your way around and stuff."

"Do you find me interesting?"

She turned around, "Raphael, you're one of the most interesting people I know." She then dug into her bag and pulled out some weird looking thing- like a torture device. She placed it on her eye lid and pressed down.

"What's that?"

"Eye lash curler." She said, blinking her eyes then moving on to the other eye. "Alright, now mascara and we can go."

"About time. That only took two hours." I spat laying back on her bed and staring at the ceiling.

I heard her zipping up the bags then saw her get up and place it next to her school bag. "Alright..." She sighed, rubbing her black fingers on her pants. "You should let me do your make up."

I laughed, "Only if you let me cut your hair."

"Ha! Okay, touché." She grabbed her jacket then touched her temple. "Shit..." She turned around and inspected her head. "Hey, can you see a giant bump here?"

I looked at her head and shook mine. "No... Why?"

"No reason..."

That's were he hit her... I knew. Lilly never wants to make a big deal out of big things. She thinks her step dad beating her isn't a big deal. It's a huge fucking deal. And I'm settling it. I have a plan and it's going to happen whether she likes it or not.

She grabbed my hand before we walked up the fire escape to the roof. "Raph... Promise me you won't tell anyone about me. About this."

I crossed my arms over my plastron. "Can you give me a good reason as to why you would want that?"

She sighed, "I... It's just..."

I placed my hands on her shoulders, "You're fine. I'll handle any questions that comes up. No one will have to know."

She seemed to relax, her hands grabbed mine and she nodded, "Thank you."

Yeah, no problem...

Please ignore the mistakes ;)