Chapter Eleven: Hidden Bruises

Jeremy walked into his English class and set in the back of the room. He was very antisocial, because Nick beat him if he talked to anyone.

"Hi." A little boy beside Jeremy smiled.

It was Ricky Smith. Jeremy knew that everyone disliked Ricky because he was too smart, etc. Ricky reminded Jeremy of his dad.

"Hey." Jeremy spoke, something he didn't do too often.

"What's up?" Ricky asked.

"Dunno, why are you sitting in the back?" Jeremy asked. Ricky always took a seat in the front of class.

"Kevin Bonner is throwing paper wads at me, so I'm setting back here." Ricky nodded.

"Well, I have work to do, so..." Jeremy trailed off starting the assignment.

"Right." Ricky said starting his.

Ricky looked at Jeremy's arm. His sleeve was up and a huge belt bruise was visible. He didn't know what to say.

"Jeremy?" Ricky whispered, he didn't know why, everyone was talking and working together on the assignment that was written on the board.

"Yeah." Jeremy said, slightly annoyed.

"What happened to your arm? Are you okay?"

Jeremy looked to his arm and jerked his sleeve down. He was terrified.

"I'm fine Ricky. We're guys, we'll have our bruises and scars." Jeremy tried sounding normal, but he was talking too fast to sound normal.

Ricky didn't believe him, but he stayed quiet for the rest of class.

Later that day,Jeremy came home only too see Nick waiting on him.

"How was your day?" Nick asked.

"Fine. Some kid kept bugging m-"

"WHAT?" Nick yelled. "You talked to someone?" Anger was clearly visible.

"No, wait, you-"

"Shut up! You know your not allowed to talk to anyone, and now, you'll pay for it!" Nick said.

He took his belt off.

"Don't worry. No belt today." Nick said.

He walked over to Jeremy and kissed him.

"You know I love you don't you?" Nick said smiling.

"You call this love? I wish you did love me Nick. Like you should. Not as some sex slave punching bag." Jeremy tried pulling away.

"What did you say?" Nick asked weakly. Jeremy had triggered another flashback.

Nick's Flashback

13 year old Nick saw his mom's boyfriend of the night leaving as he got ready for school. The man also saw Nick. He walked over to Nick after checking to make sure Nick's mother, Leslie was asleep.

"Hey little one." The man whispered. Nick could smell the beer on his breath. It made him sick.

"What?" Nick asked pulling his shirt sleeve's down to cover up the burns left by his mother.

"Wanna have some fun?" The man asked, his eyes hungry.

"What do you mean?" Nick asked, hoping the man meant football or something.

The man lowered his hands to Nick's pants zipper. Nick flinched back, but the man grabbed him.

"Don't fight it boy, you know this is fun, admit it." The man smiled.

Nick cried.

Nick slid his hand down to Jeremy's pants zipper.

"This is fun. Admit it." He repeated.

A tear fell down Jeremy's face.

A/N- Not a very exciting Chapter, but it will get better. I'm trying to think of a way to bring in my next big ideas, but I will soon, but until then, this was just a filler chapter. Thanks for reviewing!