It's been too long, I hate it! But Happy New Years! Thank God 2016 is gone. Let's hope that I finish this Fic this year. Move on to the sequel.

Nekura Ookami: I'm really happy I get to write fluff! In the next chapters it's just fluff. ^.^

S/O to those who favorited/followed -sandereck96, KyubiMaster9, Tera101, HeartLuvAnimeGirl

Enjoy!

Song for this chapter - human ~ Christina Perri

Concern

~Lilly's POV~

"Why?" He asked angrily.

"Because," She growled back at him. "I'm sick of everything. You're lazy, you're pathetic, you don't have a job and you haven't for so long. God knows where you get your money! You treat me and Lilly like complete shit, so you know what?" She grabbed an arm full of his clothes and threw them at him, picking the ones that fell up off the ground and throwing them with force at his face. "Get the fuck out."

"When have I ever done anything to Lilly?" He yelled, pointing at me as I sat on the couch just enjoying the show.

I laughed, "You're joking, right?"

"When have you ever treated her with respect?" Christine said from the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of whatever. She's here as my moms back up. Just in case...

He shot her a glare, if looks could kill. "You're letting people influence you, Aniya. They've never wanted us together."

"I see why." My mother spat. She moved around him and opened the door. "Leave..."

"Aniya," he said sounding so pathetic, as if almost begging. "Please, I've changed. I can change even more."

My mother's eyes flickered in hesitation before she shook her head. "No... You haven't. And you won't. I see that now."

John turned around, his eyes glaring daggers at me before they turned to his clothes that were scattered onto the floor. He suddenly became enraged, I could tell by his breathing- almost as if he were an animal that had enough with being poked at. He picked up a shirt and threw it at my mother. Then he charged toward me, his hands grabbing onto my wrists and yanking me up to stand. "What did you say?"

"Get off me!" I yelled in fear, attempting to pull him off of me but his grip was painful.

"You were always against us! You were always trying to get her to leave me! You!" He growled almost demonically, teeth baring wildly. "You! I'm going to make sure both of you pay! If I sleep on the streets so will you!" He yelled.

I immediately began to go into panic mode, my eyes looking at Christine and my mom to see if they were just as startled as I was... They weren't.

"M-Mom!?" I yelled, feeling tears spill from my eyes. "Chris?!" I said desperately, begging for someone to stop him from doing anything.

"You're going to pay!" He repeated, his voice almost like a high pitched whistle. Pain began to course throughout my head the more he talked. I saw his face shift into something that wasn't human like. "You're going to pay!" His voice suddenly sounded choked and diabolic. I saw his skin beginning to tear away revealing another face that I knew.

"No..." I muttered as pure fear began to pulse through my body. My blood ran cold as I saw just exactly who it was. "Get off me... Get off me. Get off me!" I screamed as he smiled.

"What's the matter? Scared yet?" This man that I hoped to never see again said.

"Get away!" I looked for my mother or Christine but they were gone now. It was just me and him in this black abyss that felt like it was latching onto me, keeping me there, unable to fight back, unable to move. "Get away from me!"

"It'll be over soon if you just-"

"GET AWAY FROM ME!"

I open my eyes and sat up in my bed, my breath heavy as if I'd been running for my life, my heart pounding almost painfully in my chest while tears mixed with sweat fell from my chin down to my pajama shorts. My door suddenly flew open, my mother ran in with what seemed to be a kitchen knife in her hand. "Lilly, what happened?!" She yelped, in a protective tone. "Who do I have to kill?"

I swallowed hard, wiping the sweat from my brow and the tears from my eyes. I got up from my bed and opened the window, sighing when the breeze hit me.

"Oh, you're fine..." My mother said relieved. "Thank god... Why were you screaming?"

I pressed my back up against my wall and gathered my thoughts. "Screaming?"

"Yeah, I thought someone was here. I always keep a knife by my bed so I grabbed it and ran." She explained, walking up to me. "You scared the shit out of me." She said with a comforting smile, placing a hand on my wet forehead. "You okay?"

I took a deep breath, "Just a nightmare..." A horrible one...

My mother cupped my cheek fondly, "About this afternoon?"

I nodded slowly.

She pulled me close to her chest, "I'm sorry." She kissed the top of my head and held on tight. "I didn't think he would flip out on you like he did." She grabbed my hands, a tear hitting my skin.

My eyes went wide when I saw purple bruises in the shape of fingers on both my wrists. They weren't there before, where did they come from? I knew they weren't there because if they were they would have made Raphael pissed beyond belief. Did they just form? How?

"I'm so sorry." My mother cried softly. "You had to put up with him for so long. You deserve so much more than this..."

My eyes began to water once again, my throat suddenly becoming very tight as I attempted to swallow the tears. "M-Mom..." I said softly.

"You inspired me."

I gasped softly, my fingers slowly began to wrap around my mother's hand. I felt her walls come completely undone as she stood there, utterly vulnerable.

"You're just like your father. He never needed anybody. He loved everyone, even himself." My mother looked up at me, I saw tears flowing from her golden eyes. "But I don't. I need someone to love me. I always have. I can't be like you. And to hear that you can get over someone with the help of even just one person...yourself... It made me believe that I could do it too."

My tears fell from my eyes, my arms shakily wrapped around my mother's trembling frame. I felt her clutch onto me as if I were leaving her side for good. I buried my wet face into her pajama shirt and sobbed softly with her. All my fear, panic... All seemed to drain immediately from my body as I heard her sobs of pain, or joy...or sorrow. My soft sobs soon grew louder as more and more pain began to pour out from both of us. Regret, fear, all these emotions were finally being poured after so long of living with them. Was this it? That bitter sweet moment of starting over from nothing?

"Mom... I love you."

The walk to school was a quiet one, even if I was listening to music, even if I was being pushed and made fun of by Lindsay as she walked past me like she always did, it was all silent. I couldn't think of last night because then I would just burst into tears. I don't need that right now. I just needed to take a deep breath before walking into the school. My hands tightened around the straps of my bag. You got this, Lillian...

"You can stay home if you want." My mother's soft voice rang in my head from earlier this morning.

"I have a schedule change so I have to go." I made up an excuse on the spot that sounded convincing enough. I needed to be distracted anyways.

I walked into school, my mind focused on the lyrics of the song that rang in my ears. Kids and kids past me but I didn't notice.

I made it to my locker, opening it slowly. I don't know why, I don't have to take anything out and I have everything I need. I'm just tired, maybe I should have stayed home. I yawned, I could just leave now before the bell rings and I actually have to stay.

I felt a light tap on my shoulder and looked to find April smiling nervously. I took out both earphones, and just stood there. "H-Hey..." She started, I stayed silent. "How have you been?"

I took a while for me to answer, but I eventually sighed, "I've been great."

She tucked a hair behind her ear, "I'm glad to hear that." There was an awkward silence between us, I wanted to run away from her. I meant what I said to her. I'm not going to say I said it because I was angry or whatever. No. I meant it. "I...talked to Donnie recently. He kind of saved me..."

I felt my phone vibrate in my back pocket, I took it out and saw that Raphael had just texted me.

'Don't bite her head off :)'

I sighed, placing the phone back in my pocket. "I know." I mumbled.

"And I get it... Somethings are just beyond people's control." She said softly, scratching the back of her head. Her eyes were soft and apologetic. "I guess I should say, I'm really sorry, Lillian."

"Why?"

She sighed softly, "I shouldn't have said the things that I told you. I shouldn't have told you-"

"You only wanted a new life. A normal life. And I was in the way of that. I won't be anymore." I closed my locker door softly, my hands going back to the strap on my bag. "I have to go to class now." I said softly before walking past her.

"Wait-" April called, grabbing onto my wrist. "Lillian..." She began almost desperately. "I know I was horrible to push you away. The guys told me how upset you were, they told me how everything you told me was the truth. But, I'm calling your bluff." She squeezed my wrist and I felt my arm jolt, pulling away from her. I winced in mild pain. "I'm sorry for everything I put you through. I really want to be your best friend again because you're still mine. As much as I tried to I couldn't forget you. And as much as I denied it, you were the closest thing to a normal life that I've ever had. And you're..."

I turned in anticipation, stunned to find tears in her eyes.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me..." She said with a weak smile.

I didn't want to cry anymore, so I just smiled. "Cheesy." I said breathlessly. The hand that was caught in her painful grip, grabbed onto her sleeve and pulled her into me. My hands wrapped around her waist, "Don't cry, please." I chuckled. "Not in front of me. Ever."

"O-Okay..." She whined against my jacket.

"Don't do that to me. Let's move on." Just then the bell rang. "We gotta go to class now." Now I really have to go to class, too late to skip.

She nodded and pulled away from me. "I'll see you at lunch."

"Of course..."

Later...

I was going to walk home and try to get some rest after a long day of nothing. My schedule changed like I knew it would. Almost everyone was extremely happy to see me, except David and Jackie because they're pathetic. Beside that nothing really happened.

April told me about... Casey. He even came to interrupt our conversation, didn't introduce himself, just reminded April about a study date and then left. Charming young man... I could already sense he and I were going to get along amazingly. April also told me about what's she's been up to. Nothing really, her grades have improved. It took me a while for me to convince her not to actually walk me home.

I was just going to drop my bag off at my place then go to my mother's work. Which is what I did.

My phone began to ring as soon as I walked out of my home, I locked the door before I picked it up. "What?"

"How was school?" Raph asked softly.

I felt my cheeks warm up when I heard his voice, "F-Fine... Did you call just to check?"

"Yeah...? Are you busy?" He asked.

"No. I was actually going to go to my moms work for a while. I need a break from school to be honest." I said exhaustedly. "I'm tired."

"Take a break. You deserve it. How was the thing with April? Did you forgive her?"

I groaned softly to myself, he knew I was going to forgive her from the beginning. "She apologized and almost cried. I had to. But if she mentions me, you tell never to do that to me again. Even though I told her. But only if she mentions me, I don't want her to forget."

"You got it, boss." He chuckled. "So, did you start dancing again?"

"I got bumped up officially today. Boy, David was not happy. He's with Lindsay, you know? I wonder what happened to her other boyfriend..." I didn't really care if I'm being honest.

"You told me. I don't really care about her. And him... Just let me know if you want him to stop bothering you. I'll take care of him." He said slyly, almost as if he weren't lying.

"Yeah, okay..." I scoffed. I suddenly stopped in my tracks when I realized that Raph could actually beat people up... I mean he stopped an invasion for Christ sake! I wonder if he's ever killed... Nah, he's like Batman. He doesn't kill. Wait, does he? "Wait... You don't mean..."

"Hey you!" I heard from behind me. I froze wanting to turn around but then not wanting to because then there's a chance that whoever's behind me right now is not talking to me and if I turn around then I'm looking like a complete idiot. I checked to see if there was anyone in front of me- no. "Lillian right?"

I turned, finding a couple guys standing there with a slip of paper in their hands. "Hey, I'm-"

"The ex?" I whispered. Lindsay's ex was standing right in front of me. Very pretty guy.

"-Jake. This is Roger, the quarterback." Don't care. "And this is Dash, graduate a couple years ago." Also don't care. "We were throwing a big party soon and inviting everyone we know. And I heard you go out with David so we invited him and we just thought why not invite you." Jake handed me the piece of paper. "That's the address."

I'm getting invited to a High School party? They actually do those? I thought those were just made up! "Um... Hold on." I say to Raph before lowering the phone. "I'm not dating David anymore, so..." I said with a shrug, starting to walk away from him.

"You're not?" That Dash guy said rather concerned. "He didn't tell me that."

"He has a big mouth, I'm surprised he didn't." I don't know who you are.

"He doesn't really tell me anything anymore." He chuckled, the more I look at him the more he looks familiar.

Jake chuckled, "Dash is his brother."

Shit...

"David told me about you. I knew you looked familiar." I eyed the paper almost suspiciously. I'm not cool anymore so why am I getting invited.

"Oh, I have to hear this!" He said before grabbing the paper out of Jake's hand and walked over to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Let me walk you where ever you're going, babe. Let's walk and talk." He laughed cockily.

Jake rolled his eyes, "Don't try it. From what I heard she's smart. She won't get with you." He pointed at me, "You're still invited, you're allowed to bring a guest. I'll see you there!" He smiled before grabbing his friend that never said one word and began walking the other way. Did they follow me all the way to my house? Fucking weirdos...

I shrugged this very rude guy's arm off my shoulders, "This is rude and I'm on the phone so-" I was about to put the phone to my ear when he snatched it out of my hands.

"Hello?"

"Hey, asshole!" I shouted, attempting to grab my phone back.

"Hi, um Lillian, is it? Yeah, she's unavailable at the moment so she will have to call you back." He then paused and smiled. "Well, that's not very nice."

I snatched it back, "Raph, I'm so sorry. This guy just-"

"Where are you? I'll kick his ass!" He growled into the phone.

"What? No, I'm fine. You don't-"

"I'm kicking his ass."

"Raph, I'm fine."

"She's fine buddy, we're just talking." This guy laughed loudly. Very obnoxiously...

"I'll call you back." I said as quickly as I could before this guy could say anything. "And I promise you I will." This is going to give off absolutely the wrong message.

"Fuck... Lillian, if you-"

"Raph... I swear to you."

He sighed after a while, "Fine." He said before hanging up.

I tucked my phone in my pocket and began to hit this guy as hard as I could, "You fucking dickhead. Go away. He's pissed now. Happy?" I said as I began to walk away from him.

"Oh come on! I was joking."

I narrowed my eyes, "Joke? That's a joke?"

I heard him walking right behind me so I sped up. But he just stayed on my heels. "So, what'd little brother say about me? I need a new reason to actually kick his ass."

I turned, accidentally hitting his chest with my elbow. Or so he thought. "That you're a no good druggie that's been in and out of rehab and only comes home when he needs money from mommy and daddy. Just another example on why kids should stay away from bad choices." I spat angrily.

He jumped backwards a bit, then smirked playfully. "I can see why you two dated. He's always liked the ones with a little fire in them. That and the slutty ones..." He raised an eyebrow playfully. "Are you both?"

The nerve of this guy! "Sorry, ship has sailed, sunk and ain't coming back. Not for you at least."

"Another? Already?" He said innocently. "Was it that guy on the phone? He sounded tough. Bet he's a great lover..."

God, did I want to hit him right then and there. Again. Repeatedly. Until he stopped moving... "Pig."

"The tough ones are always good at it. Especially with a girl they actually like. I would know. I'm a tough guy."

"You're pathetic is what you are. Now leave!" I yelled, continuing to walk down the street. I didn't know if he was behind me. I didn't hear him talk or anything. I was alone. Finally. Now I have to explain to Raph what just happened before he thinks I'm a cheater or anything... A call won't do anything. I'm probably gonna have to make out with him for him to forgive me. Maybe I'll let him touch my boon- Lillian! Raphael is not like that!

Maybe he's not angry. Maybe he's just...slightly upset.

It's Raphael, his good mood is 'slightly upset' his bad mood is... Well, I haven't seen that part but I had a feeling I was going to very soon.

I came to an intersection and waited for the light to turn so that I could cross the street. Suddenly, "It's all true, you know?"

I jumped at the sound of his voice. "Fuck. You're still here?" I shouted.

"I'm a dead beat. Or at least he makes it seem that way. But aren't we all. I'm an adventurer. I'm in love with the rush of life, is that so bad?"

I don't care! Stop talking to me! "Oh god..." I moaned, rolling my eyes. "You know, when someone says 'go away' it means 'go away'. Not 'please follow me'."

"But you look like one of those girls that say one thing and mean another. I'm only pleasing your needs babe." He teased, idiot.

"Go away!" I yelled, pushing him back. "I don't care about you or your stupid brother. Who's an asshole, by the way. And just as pathetic as you are, if not more! And you can tell him I said that with love since that's what he wanted so much was for me to say that word to him. And you can get fucked." I pointed at the paper in his hand. "Take that with you. I'm afraid to be around you people. I could catch 'the stupid' from you assholes."

He pouted and batted his eyelashes, "Awe, there's no need to call me names." He crossed his arms over his chest and huffed. "I thought I'd get your sympathy. I usually do from people who have it easy."

THIS GUY! Unbelievable! "You..." I growled. "I have no sympathy for pathetic, stupid guys who do drugs and hang out with high schoolers even though they're what? 20 years old? And don't care about anybody but themselves. It's disgusting." I turned and walked across the street.

"Hey, what's your number?!" I heard him call from the sidewalk when I was about halfway across the street. I raised my hand up and gave him the finger.

I'm so glad I didn't hear anything after that.

~Raph's POV~

Mad? Was I mad? No, I wasn't. I really wasn't mad. Not at all. Not one bit.

I was fucking furious. Past the level of mad or anger. I was fucking pissed. I don't know who that guys was, but I don't like him, I don't want to know him I want to punch him. Really...really... Hard.

Arrogant prick just decided to talk to me like he's Lillian's consultant. Then Lillian says "I'll call you back." Call me back?! No. Do not call me back because if you do I'm going to unload everything I'm thinking of, on you. I'm going to go off on her. I'm not going to have a filter and it's going to be bad.

Another boy. Another human boy. I knew this was going to happen. Jesus, another guy and it hasn't even been a day yet. Would she cheat on me? I don't know... I mean why wouldn't she? Why are we even together? Why am I not fucking human? Why? Fuck! Another boy!?

"Raph," I heard behind me.

I stop hitting the dummy, clinging onto it and panting as I start to feel my muscles scream. I didn't realize how hard I was going until someone stopped me. I turned to see who it was. "What Leo?"

"Take it easy." He said with a chuckle, going back to the couch. "Donnie has had to patch that thing up a lot and I don't think it will survive another beating."

"Don't care." I mumbled, continuing to punch and kick the dummy.

"You mad?" He asked before shaking his head. "Wait, better question. Who are you mad at now?"

I growled at his smart ass, "No one."

"Everyone." Mikey said with a mouthful of food.

I gritted my teeth, having to stop once again so I could use everything I had in my body to be able to ignore these two idiots. I needed quiet in fact, I needed everyone to just go two seconds without pissing me off.

"Hey guys," April said, as she walked in looking really bothered.

"Hey April," Leo said with a wave. April went to sit by him, placing her bag right next to her. "Something wrong?"

April blinked, "Um... I don't know. Just something I've been thinking about all day."

Mikey finally swallowed his mouthful, "What?" He asked her.

Donnie soon came out of the lab, coming over to sit right next to April like always. "Hey,"

April smiled at him, "Hi..." Her looked changed back to a worried one. "Okay... So I talked to Lilly like I said I would."

"And...?" Donnie asked expectantly.

"Well, she forgave me. It seemed like she wasn't going to at first but she said we were cool. But..." She paused for a moment, then suddenly raised her head to look at me. "Did she mention anything to you that we should be worried about?"

I nearly jumped at why she would be asking me. I mean...I had to pretend like I didn't know why. "Me?" She nodded. I shrugged, "Her mother kicked her boyfriend out."

"Wow, really? And David?"

"They broke up, remember?"

"She didn't tell me... I didn't ask her. Did they fight?"

I rolled my eyes, "He left her because of some stupid rumor or something. Ask her."

She smiled, "I only ask you because you guys are closest."

"That's because Raph loves her." Mikey teased annoyingly.

"Shut up, you-" I charged for him but left him be when he tucked himself into his shell.

"Throughout lunch, Lilly barely talked. I asked her what was wrong and she just told me she was tired. But she did something where she reached out to grab something and her sleeve went up a bit and I could have sworn I saw bruises on her arms. I would have asked her where she got them from but-"

"Bruises? Are you sure?" I asked maybe a little too quickly. But, she had to be mistaken because when I talked to her last night I checked to see if she had anything on her and she was clean. Unless they were just starting to form.

"No I'm not. But I know there were marks on her arms." She shifted in her seat, sighing heavily, "I'm worried. But, now that you told me that John is out of the house I shouldn't be right?"

Leo shot me a glare, "When did she tell you this?"

"Yesterday, why?"

Mikey came out of his shell, "What? She told you something and not me? I'm her best friend!" He whined like a child.

Leo stood up, "What did you do?"

"What do you mean?" I asked confused, my chest becoming very tight at his suspicious tone.

"Did she give you a reason as to why her mother would just throw him out all of a sudden?" He asked, "Did you do something to him again?"

"What? No. I wouldn't unless Lilly tells me to." Except that one time.

"You actually beat up John?" April asked stunned. "When?"

"A while ago..." I said with a shrug. "But I haven't told Lillian about it and I don't plan on doing it anytime soon."

"You mean she doesn't know?" She barked, standing up suddenly.

"No. And don't go telling her. If you knew what he did to her you'd be on my side. We were all there anyways so..." I shrugged carelessly. I wasn't sorry.

"What did he do?" April asked before blinking again in confusion. "Wait, all of you were in on it? So what? You jumped him?"

"No, I beat the crap outta him while they made sure he didn't go anywhere. That's not the point though, the point is Lillian's safety right?"

"Well, yeah, but now I'm wondering was he kicked out or just threatened by you. And you beat him up, does that mean you showed yourselves?" April shouted. She would have known if she didn't run off.

"April, what we did was just a warning." Donnie said, attempting to calm her down.

"No, what you did was careless and stupid. Lilly would kill you guys if she found out."

"Which is why we keep it quiet." I sneered. "So shush."

April scoffed, "Why should I?"

"Well, there's technically no point."

"That's right!" Donnie said pointing at me. "He's gone. So she's not in danger anymore. There's no need to tell her now." He's helping me out, if Lilly finds out she'll be pissed that I showed myself to someone else, but I say it was worth it.

April growled, "Fine." She sat back down, obviously upset over this dispute. "But something happened if her arms are bruised."

I shrugged, "Fine, I'll ask, if that's what you're asking." I could tell she wasn't trying to be 'nosey' now that they were friends again, that's why she was trying to get me to do something about it. "She probably fell." I'm so gonna have to kick someone's ass.

~Lilly's POV~

I walked into my home and took a deep breath, "Smells fresher in here." I sighed peacefully.

My mother shut the door behind her, "Kind of does, huh?" She went to drop the bags of groceries in the kitchen. "Shit..." She cursed softly. "I forgot something at my job."

"What?" I asked, picking up my bag that I just threw on the floor when I came here earlier.

"I forgot a package that I ordered that came there instead of here." She said before stopping. "Should I get it now?" I shrugged. "Nah, I'll just get it now. Lord knows if Christine finds it she'll open it even if it has my name on it." She grabbed her keys and walked out the door. "Do me a favor, put the things away and heat up some food if you're hungry. I'll be back in five."

"Kay..." I say, suddenly feeling very tired, more than usual. I went over to the bags of groceries and begin to put them away. "Fuck...we forgot toilet paper." Should I go after my mom and tell her? "We have enough for one more day." I mumble, too lazy to actually do something that benefits myself.

Once the groceries were put it their place, I walked slowly to my room, throwing my bag aside them throwing myself on to my bed. Why was I so tired? Probably because of the nightmares... They'll go away, they always do. I've always had nightmares about my dad, my ex and John. It's just last night was one that really shook me, afterwards I wasn't able to get some sleep so now I'm paying for it.

I went over to my mom's work just to chill there and get a manicure which left my nails very shiny, and to see if that guy that's been stalking my mom would show up so that I could accidentally drop a curling iron on his lap and tell him to fuck off. He never came. Good thing too... My mother would have killed me. But honestly, if I scare him then he's not worth it.

Today was annoying, tiring, just a regular stupid day. April and I are back to being friends I guess, but I could tell that it's not going to be the same as before. And if she ever does that stupid shit to me again I will block her from my entire life. No contact what so ever. But, I'm pretty sure she's cool.

My eyes suddenly shot open, "Oh shit." I cursed. I never called Raph back!

Not because I didn't want to but because I just completely forgot. I mean, I was so tired!

"I'll call you back, Raph. I swear!" I heard a voice attempt to mock my voice say which cause me to jump off my bed. "It's almost 6 and still haven't heard from Lillian. Hmm... I wonder where she is. She must be busy." He growled. Wow, someone's petty.

"I don't sound like that." I groaned, rolling my eyes as he came out from behind my open door. "I'm sorry... I'm just so tired. I just forgot. I'm sorry."

"But if I forget to text you, you show up in my room ready to rip my head off." He shut my door, taking a deep breath to what I'm assuming is to calm himself down. "Who was that guy?"

I sat back down on my bed, "Literally, nobody. He's David's brother."

"Then he isn't nobody. He's..." He stopped, I could see him clench his fists tight.

"No one. He's not even cute. He's a guy who's going nowhere in his life. Trust me, Raph. I'm dryer than the Mojave Desert when I'm around him." I say, shaking the sleep from my head.

"What!" Raph yelled. "That wasn't- what does that even- why does everything have to be like that with you?" He walked over to me, kneeling down in front of me. "Can you take off your jacket?"

I stared at him oddly, too drowsy to think about- OH! "No."

"Why not?"

"Why do you want me to?"

"Because..."

"Because what?"

"I want to see something." He mutter almost too softly.

"There's nothing to see." I moved my hands away from him when he attempted to grab them. "Stop." I moved away from him, scooting back onto my bed so I could fully lay down.

Raphael sighed, almost as if he were disappointed. "What happened? I know about the bruises, so there's point in lying to me."

"Nothing." Please can we not argue, I'm tired. Make him go away...

"Lillian, I swear..." He growled, almost menacingly. I could tell the more I stayed silent the more aggravated he would get. I wasn't even looking at him but the atmosphere in the room always changes when he gets angry. "Lilly."

"Why do you need me to answer if you already know?" I muttered too sleepily to even sound like words.

"What?" He snapped.

Sudden rage grew inside of me that came out of nowhere. Maybe because I was tired, maybe because I was hungry, maybe because I'm so annoyed at this whole thing 'if someone hurts my girlfriend, I'm going to hurt them' as if I can't fight for myself. Granted I'm not a martial artist or whatever, but I've fought men before, so I can fend for myself.

In a quick motion, I sat up and pulled back my sleeves, revealing the ugly green and purple bruises on my wrists that seemed to have gotten uglier throughout the day. "There! See?! You happy? Now, go throw a fit at home. I'm tired, I don't want to argue." I laid back down, hoping that he'd actually just leave.

"How are you okay with this?" He scoffed.

"I'm not. I just don't see a point in crying, or making a big deal about something that can't be helped." I pull one of my sleeves down and hugged myself. "He's gone. I'm fine."

"No you're not! You have bruises-"

"And what are you going to do?" I yelled, getting back up from the bed. "Are you gonna make them go away? Is getting angry at me for keeping this from you for one day going to do anything productive for me or my mother who's been through years of hell with that guy?" I held a hand to my forehead when it began to pound. "Jesus, you can't get mad whenever something bad happens."

"Really?" He grunted, crossing his hands over his chest. "How am I supposed to react when you're keeping shit like this-"

"Once, this is the first time. And you know why I keep it from you, because you go bat shit whenever-"

"Because I care about-"

"Don't interrupt me!"

"You just interrupted me!"

I groaned, running my hand through my hair. "I'm not going to tell you everything, Raphael. Somethings I keep are to protect you."

"From what!?"

"From yourself, you idiot!" I walked up to him and gave him a slight push. "To keep you from doing something stupid, or something that you'll regret later. And I do that because I care."

"If you care so much you wouldn't hide things from me just because you think I'm going to react a certain way." He grumbled angrily, stepping forward as if he were challenging me. "I knew you hid things away and when we were friends, I didn't care. But now that we're together, I do care. You know everything about me and it's not fair for you to just shut me out like that. And why? Because you think you can handle everything by yourself. You're not invincible."

I sighed, "So what? You want more communication?" Jesus Christ...

Raph straightened, looking very uncomfortable. "Well, yeah but I just want you to stop hiding from me. Tell me the truth, call me back."

I laughed, "I can already tell who's going to wear the pants in this relationship."

Raph growled, "I'm being serious! Why does everything have to be a joke with you?! Jesus, can't you be serious for just one second!?"

I shook my head and took a deep breath, my headache becoming stronger the more he yelled at me. I hope our relationship doesn't end up being one of those where they always fight and apologize and fuck and fight and apologize and fuck... I mean, I'm not apologizing for anything because I'm always right.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head lazily on his shoulder. He finally stopped screaming and sighed, "Jeez..." He huffed.

"Be quiet and hug me." I chuckled, kissing his cheek when I felt his arms wrap around my waist almost like he didn't want to. Too bad, he's going to.

"I'm curious because I care." He mumbled. "Don't push me away."

"I won't." I really hate to admit it but I'm lying. I don't want to tell Raph everything about me because it's me. Everything about me is mine. And he's a guy, he wouldn't understand most of it or he wouldn't know how to process it. I'd rather not make him uncomfortable. "You done?"

"No..." He moaned like a child.

I rolled my eyes, pulling away from his hug. "Hurry up and say what you gotta say the leave because I'm really tired okay?"

He nodded, grabbing my hands before kissing each one. I felt my face become hot with embarrassment. He saw my redness and smirked playfully, leaning in to give me a small kiss. "Dryer than the Mojave, huh?" He snickered. "So, what does that mean, you're we-"

"Finish that sentence and I'll rip your tongue out." I threatened, my hands squeezing his fingers as hard as I could. "Pig."

He shook his head, "Turtle." He gave me another kiss, a soft kiss that made me lean in just a bit when he pulled away. "I'll go." Ass... Kiss me in hopes that I'll ask you to stay so you can kiss me some more, huh? Well... "I'll text you."

I sighed, "Okay..." He's not going to kiss me again, is he? "I'll see you..."

He leaned in again, but kissed my forehead instead. "Yup. Seeya, babe." He said happily before turning to leave.

"Don't call me..." You know what, on second thought... I like the way he said it. I like hearing him say it. Sounds like candy when he says it, sweet tasty candy. I laugh breathlessly, holding my hand to my forehead.

"Huh?"

I shook my head, "Nothing, just go. I'll see you later." Babe... God, what have I gotten myself into.

I need some sleep...