Chapter 2:

Cornelia's POV

At first things seemed to be going pretty well. Leon made sure that me and Lillian were up and ready to go to school on time. Heck! Billy even drove us to school. And man could she cook! Even Lillian took a liking to her. She went shopping with me. And she has a good eye for fashion. Even the girls took a liking to her when I introduced her to them. She even knew martial arts! She was a second degree black belt. She seemed like a pretty great person.

But that was just it.

She SEEMED like a great person.

But sometimes, you can't judge a book by it's covers. It all started two weeks after my folks left. It was Friday, and Angelo had taken me out to dinner and a movie. I had a great time. But when I got home, that great time was ruined.

By Billy and her backhand.

Flashback

Normal POV

"So, I take it that you had a great time.", Angelo said as they were standing at the door to Cornelia's apartment home.

"Of course I did.", Cornelia said with a smile as she wrapped her arms around Angelo's neck. "Even though it's a bit late because we went for a walk through the park."

"What can I say?", Angelo said as she wrapped his arms around Cornelia's waist. "I like spending time with you."

"And I feel the same way about you.", Cornelia said with a smile.

"Good.", Angelo said before they shared a kiss goodnight.

Once they ended their kiss. They pulled away from each other smiling knowing that it was getting late.

"Goodnight.", Angelo said.

"Goodnight.", Cornelia said as they smiled at each other.

Angelo then turned and walked away as Cornelia unlocked the door to her place and opened the door. With a happy sigh, she headed up to her bedroom to change her clothes and go to bed.

'Nothing could ruin this night.', she thought to herself as she walked into her bedroom and closed the door.

Suddenly, she felt the back of someone's hand strike her down to the floor. Shocked and confused, Cornelia looked up to see a figure standing there looking down at here. It was dark so she didn't know who it was at first. Was it a burgular trying to rob them? Or was it an enemy trying to take down the Guardians? Either way, she knew that not only was she in danger, but Lillian, Leon, and Billy as well.

"And where have you been?"

"What the...? Billy?", Cornelia questioned.

Billy then turned the lights to the room on surprising Cornelia. But what really surprised Cornelia the most was the look in Billy's eyes. It was a cold look that sent a chill down her spine. If looks could kill, then Cornelia would be taking the big dirt nap right now.

"I asked you a question.", Billy said in a cold tone of voice as she grabbed Cornelia and yanked her up into a standing position glaring at her. "Where have you been?"

"I... I... was out on a date, with Angelo.", Cornelia said.

"You do realiese that it's almost midnight!", Billy said as she push Cornelia against the door making her hit the back of her head hard. "You think you can just walk in and out of here when you please?"

"N-N-No.", Cornelia said. "It's just that me and Angelo took a walk through the park."

"Well, good for you.", Billy said. "I'm glad that you had a good time with your boyfriend.", she said before giving Cornelia another backhand to the face. "You pampered little brat!"

Cornelia didn't know what to think at the moment. Here she was face to face with her cousin's girlfriend who she thought was a good person! But right now, she was a totally different person!

"You walk around here thinking you're something speacial.", Billy said. "Like the world revolves around you."

"No I don't!", Cornelia said.

"Did I say you could talk?", Billy questioned as she grabbed Cornelia's shoulder and squeezed hard making Cornelia wince in pain as she felt the pain shot through her. "You're just like those spoiled little rich girls I went to school with. Always with a cute guy and looking down at me like I was nothing!"

"You're hurting me!", Cornelia said as she tried to get free of Billy's grip. "Let me go!"

"Make me, rich girl!", Billy said as he tightened the grip.

'Boy would I like to.', Cornelia thought to herself wishing she could use her powers on Billy, but couldn't for she knew that if she did, she'd be exposing her and her friends.

Taking a chance, Cornelia tried to hit Billy only for her to catch her fist with her free hand.

"Well, well, well.", Billy said with a smirk. "Looks like rich girl has some fight in her.", she said before he punched Cornelia in the stomach.

Cornelia then dropped to her knees coughing while holding her stomach. Seeing this put a smile on Billy's face as she stood above Cornelia.

"Let this be a lesson, Cornelia.", Billy said with a smirk. "Don't cross me. You'll be sorry the next time you do."

Billy was about to leave the room when she stopped and turned back to Cornelia.

"And by the way, in case if you were wondering why Leon hasn't come running, you should know that he's a heavy sleeper.", Billy said with a smirk. "And if you even think about telling him or anybody about what happened, I'll just simply one up you and say that it was Leon who beat you. And trust me when I say that I can be very, very convincing.", she said scaring Cornelia. "Goodnight, rich girl."

Billy then left the room and closed the door, leaving Cornelia alone in her room. Gathering her strenght, Cornelia got to her feet and changed into her night gown and got into bed. Her shoulder hurt. Her face hurt. And her stomach hurt. But what could she do? If she went to her friends about this, Billy would just lie and say that it was Leon who did it. And that was a risk she couldn't take.

'This can't be happening.', Cornelia thought to herself as she began to cry. 'It just can't!'

End Flashback

Cornelia's POV

But it was. I tried to avoid Billy as best I could, but let's be honest. It's hard to do that when she's living in the same place as you. Every other night, for the next three weeks she'd attack me. Sometimes, if no one else was home, she come at me during the day! So when Spring Break rolled around, in April, I wasn't safe during the day or night! I wanted to use my powers on her so badly, but I knew that even if I had Irma wipe her memory clean of me using my powers, it wouldn't stop Billy from attacking my the next day or night. So, I was stuck. And she was no fool! She knew where to hit me so no one would see the bruises cause they were under my clothes. That and most of the bruises were hardly visable. I don't know who taught her martial arts, but she knew how to hurt someone without leaving hardly a mark! I wanted to fight back with what fighting skills I had. And I did! But she was just to good of a fighter. I wanted to tell someone. Anyone! But the fear of Billy lying and saying that it was Leon doing the beatings scared me big time. Cause all she had to do was find a way to give herself some bruises on herself to make it look like she was beaten by Leon. And then there were the girls. They knew something was up by the way I was actting. But what could I do? And then there was Angelo.

Flashback

Normal POV

"Hey, Baby.", Angelo says to Cornelia as he walked up to her from behind and hugs her from behind.

"Hey.", Cornelia said with a smile before she winces in pain a bit from the pain in her arms as Angelo hugs her.

Angelo notices this and pulls away from her wondering what was wrong with her.

"You okay, Cornelia?", Angelo asked.

"Yeah.", Cornelia said as she put some of her books in her locker. "I just fell hard a few times doing some ice skating at the rink."

"Is there something wrong, Cornelia?", Angelo asked.

"N-No.", Cornelia said. "Why do you ask?"

"Cause you've been actting real funny for the past few weeks.", Will said walking up to them with the other girls and Matt. "We hardly see you after school. You either head straight home or to your job at the clothing store."

"Is something wrong at home?", Hay Lin asked as she gently placed a hand on Cornelia's shoulder.

"Everythinng is fine.", Cornelia said as she closed her locker door and turned to her friends. "I'm just a little stressed. That's all."

Suddenly, the school bell rang signaling the end of school.

"I have to get to work.", Cornelia said. "Leon's giving me a ride to work. I'll see you guys later.", she said before she gave Angelo a kiss that he returned. "See you later."

"See ya.", Angelo said as he watched Cornelia walk off.

"Is it me or is she hiding something?", Irma questioned.

"Oh, she's hiding something.", Will said. "What it is, I don't know."

'And somehow, she's able to block me from trying to read her thoughts.', Taranee said to the girls telepathiclly.

'Now I know something is up.', Will said.

"I think I may have something.", Hay Lin said.

"What is it, Hay Lin?", Angelo asked.

"Well, at first I thought I was seeing things, but I think I saw a bruise on Cornelia's arm when the sleeve of her shirt went up a bit.", Hay Lin said getting a gasp from the girls.

"You don't think her cousin is beating on her?", Taranee questioned.

"I don't know.", Will said. "For all we know that bruise could of came from something else."

"Maybe.", Angelo said.

"I say we go tell my dad.", Irma said.

"But, we can't do anything unless Cornelia comes to us about it, or we catch Leon hitting her or Lillian.", Angelo said. "That's how the law works."

"Then I say we confront Corny about it.", Matt said.

"Good luck with that.", Will said as they walked out of the school. "We all know how stubborn she can be."

"Well, let's hope that if there is something going on, she'll come to us or go to the police.", Angelo said before checking his watch. "I have to go to work. See ya'll later.", he said as he headed for his car to go to his job.

"Later.", Will said as she, Matt and the other girls headed for the Silver Dragon.

"Here's some food for thought.", Irma said as the five of them were walking down the sidewalk. "If Leon is beating on Cornelia, why doesn't she just use her powers and send him flying?"

"Cause if she did, then she'd be exposing her powers to him.", Taranee said.

"All she'd have to do is call us and I'd just use my powers and make him forget about what happened.", Irma replied.

"And what about the next time he beats on her?", Matt questioned. "You can't be there everytime to wipe his memory clean of Cornelia using her powers on him."

"And you're not strong enough to make him stop beating on Cornelia all together.", Hay Lin said.

"So, we just wait until he puts her in the hospital?", Irma questioned.

"No we don't.", Will said. "We can't keep an eye on Cornelia, but we know someone that can."

"Who?", Hay Lin questioned as they neared the Silver Dragon.

"Our favorite little dormouse.", Will said with a smirk.

"Huggles?", Matt questioned.

"Yeah.", Will said. "With his Regent powers, we can have Huggles sneak up the side of the apartment building, Cornelia lives in, and keep an eye on things for us."

"And if he sees anything, he can come tell us.", Taranee figured. "Well, he can tell Napoleon telepathiclly who can then tell Matt telepathiclly seeing as he's staying over Angelo's place."

"Then we'll confront Cornelia about it?", Matt said.

"That's the idea.", Will said. "So, can you get Huggles to do it?", sha asked her boyfriend.

"Sure.", Matt said. "I mean, he'll also be watching out for Lillian as well. And as her Regent, he'll be doing his duty at watching out for her."

"Then it's settled.", Will said as they entered the Silver Dragon. "Huggles spies on Cornelia for us and if there is something going on there, we'll help Cornelia the best we can."

With that plan in motion, the girls and Matt sat at a booth and order something to eat. Each hoping that Cornelia would be okay. As for Angelo, he to was worrying about Cornelia as he was driving to his job.

Angelo POV

I don't know what's going on, but I wish Cornelia would come to me about it. Or at least one of the girls. I know there's something going on at her home. I just don't know what. If Leon is beating on her, then she has to come forward about it. He could be beating on Billy, too. Or even Lillian! But I can't just go and accuse Leon of beating on any of them without proof. Dear Lord, please watch over them and help Cornelia see that she can turn to any of us for help if she needs it.

Normal POV

As for Cornelia, she was lost in her own thoguhts as well.

Cornelia POV

I knew that sooner or later the others would catch on and think something was up! But if I say anything, Billy will just go and say that Leon was the one beating on me. And seeing as she's an adult, it'll be her word agaisnt mine! I wish there was some way out of this!

Normal POV

"You okay, Cornelia?", Leon asked his cousin as he was driving her to work.

"Y-Y-Yeah.", Cornelia said with a smile. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, you've been actting real strange these last few weeks.", Leon said as he turned a corner. "I know you miss your parents. If it were me, I'd be feeling the same way too. So, if you need to talk about anything, me and Billy are here for you.", he said as he pulled up to the mall.

"Thanks, Leon.", Cornelia said as she kissed Leon on the cheek. "That means a lot."

"Not problem, Cornelia.", Leon said with a warm smile.

'But I can't take the chance of Billy setting you up.', Cornelia thought to herself as she got out of the car.

"Don't worry about picking me up.", Cornelia said. "Angelo said that he'll pick me up and bring me home.", she said giving her cousin a smile.

"Okay.", Leon said. "See you tonight."

"See ya.", Cornelia said before she headed inside the mall to her job.

'I don't know how long I can take having Billy around.', Cornelia thought to herself as she walked through the mall to her job. 'Well at least my parent will be back in two weeks. Things will be back to normal then.', she thought as she entered her job.

End Flashback

Cornelia's POV

To bad things didn't work out that way.

A/N: Well, Cornelia's friends have a plan to find out what's going on with Cornelia. To bad they, like Angelo, have to wrong idea about who's doing what. Let's hope they find out the true before it's to late.

Please review.