Sephanie was shaken up that night. Thoughts flooded her mind. Her family...friends. But, most importantly, Mike. How could he? She knew though. She knew the real reason why he turned into this...monster. It was because of her. Stephanie thought the worst of herself and had been putting herself down ever since he began to hit her. Something in the back of her mind was telling her it wasn't her fault. That she did nothing wrong. But thoughts didn't matter. Words mattered. Thoughts were just some useless pieces of someone's imagination laid in the back of her mind. That's where Stephanie would hide. In the back of her mind. And she denied what happened. She wanted someone...anyone to tell her it wasn't her fault.

Stephanie wrapped her jacket around her tightly for warmth and comfort. Her head and arms were hurting and she knew soon that she would develope bruises. But, the question was...how was she going to hide this from her family? She wiped away some fresh tears and saw her warm breath mixing with the cold air in front of her. Slowly she made her way to the back yard of her house. She feel down, crying and finally calmed herself down...hoping her family wasn't inside. They would bombard her with more questions like "How come you're home so early?" "What happened?" Blah, blah, blah.

Stephanie opened the door, slowly, making sure no one was in the kitchen and ran quickly upstairs. She stoped at the top of the hall and slowed down her breathing. She walked into the bathroom and locked the door. Joey heard this and knocked on the door.

"Uh...yeah." Stephanie answered.

"Steph, what are you doing home so early?"

"It's a school night." She told him, remembering what her dad said. She turned on the shower and pealed off her clothes. She let the warm water run down her painful body. Letting it rinse away the night. Another form of denial. She pretented it never happened. Yet, she thought about it all the time.

The next morning she decided to sit down and it breakfast with her family. She was suppose to meet Mike. But, she was hoping she could avoid him. She ate all of the food on her plate since she hadn't eaten in two days. Stephanie hadn't spoken yet, and thought she wouldn't have to. Until her father spoke.

"So, Steph. How did your date go last night?"

"...It went fine, dad."

"What did you do?"

"We watched a movie at his house..and before you even say anything, nothing happened."

"You told me last night you were going out to eat."

Shit. "Well, we did that first, then went back to his house. His parents were home so don't worry. I have to go, I don't want to be late."

Stephanie left the house with Michelle, walked her to her bus stop then went to hers. While she was walking she took out the picture of her, her mom and DJ. She carried it everywhere with her. When she got to her bus stop she shoved the picture in her pocket and boarded the bus, taking a seat in the front.

"Stephanie!" Stephanie spun around when she heard Gia calling her name. "Hey."

"Hi." Was all she managed to get out.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong! Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

"Stephanie calm down."

"No! Now leave me the hell alone." Stephanie then spotted Mike coming her way. She started to walk faster turning into hallways and passing by lockers.

"Hey! Wait up!" He called after her. She stoped in her tracks and turned around when the bell rang. "Dont even move." He whispered to her. When everyone had gone to their classes he pushed her up against the locker.

"Mike stop!" She cried silently.

"You didnt meet me today. You had me worried." He griped her arm tighter and she yelped in pain. He put his hand over her mouth. "Shut the hell up, bitch. You trying to get me in trouble?"

She shook her head.

"Now come on. Tell me you love me." Mike said.

"I...I love you." She lied. Once again Mike left her there alone to cry. As if she were a piece of trash thrown on the street. To Mike, Stephanie was his clay. He could mold her into anything. Make her do anything. It must have made him feel powerful...and made Stephanie feel small and hopless. She didn't know how much longer she could keep this a secret.

Stephanie walke down the hall, trying to keep her balance by holding on to the lockers. She went into the nurse's office and stood at the front desk.

Stephanie had dark circles under her eyes and they were red and puffy from crying.

"Miss, is something the matter?" The nurse asked.

"Um...I'm not feeling well. Can I just lay down for a while?"

"Sure back this way." The nurse led her in the back where she could lay down where it was quiet. "What class do you have now?"

"Mr. Marzzacco."

"Okay. And your name?"

"Stephanie Tanner."

"I'll call down and let him know why your not in."

The nuse let Stephanie rest for two whole periods then sent her back to class. The rest of the day went by slowly and painfully.

When Stephanie got home she walked through the door to find her dad in the kitchen.

"Hey, Steph. How was school?" He asked.

"Dad..." Was all Stephanie managed to get out. She felt like everything around her was spinning. And then all of sudden everything went dark and she feel to the ground.