It was an agonizing bus ride to work I couldn't stop picturing Isaac's face. His eyes burned holes into the tiny piece of paper.

What had I uncovered? What emotions did I unleash? I couldn't sit still my guilt was consuming at me.

The bus stopped at route 13 I walked blindly to work so caught up in my emotions I was desperately trying to compose myself;.

I could see the Beacon Hill's Dry cleaners it is only a small shop, the doorbell tinged as a customer exited.

All employee's had to use the back entrance I walked past the front door and turned down the drive way to the back car parks where usually I would park

I pushed open the ugly green door that opened to a locker room.

Locker number 6 was old and crusty just like everything in this place; it creaked when I opened as I shoved away my belongings

Throwing on my uniform I stood staring into the distance a loud sigh escaped I couldn't do anything for the next few hours; I might as well accept it, a fake smile appeared on my face I would try my hardest to get through work.

It was dark when I finished counting the till, I had been left with lock up duty, which meant I would miss my bus, and the next one wouldn't be for another 30 minutes.

It had been a long enough day figuring I might as well walk home. I threw my earphones in and hit shuffle Paramore – Another day started playing

I laughed of course this song would play.

I watched my feet as I numbly headed off, I thought I was heading home until a trash can lid being lifted besides startled me out of my thoughts.

Jackson? where was I?

Jackson stood there shirtless throwing away garbage.

"Look Mia I'm not interested I don't date losers"

I scoffed that son of a …

I never got to retaliate, a door slamming to my right made me whip around I saw Isaac rushing out to the lawn and picking up his bike.

"Isa…." I started to call out

Mr. Lahey came scrambling after him slamming the door. Without looking back Isaac hurried away down the road. He screamed after Isaac

"ISAAC... ISAAC GET BACK HERE' He jumped into his car wheels spinning as he took off after Isaac

"What's going on?" I said speaking my thoughts out loud.

"Freaks" Jackson snorted

"What is wrong with you? Obviously something horrible is going on" I couldn't believe Jacksons lack of indifference I wanted to punch in the face.

"Yeah, Duh Isaac gets the crap beaten out of him every night." Jackson scratched his chest and shrugged

"What… did you tell anyone?" I was stunned how someone could watch that happening to someone else and do absolute nothing.

"Pfft, No it's not my responsibility"

I was outraged at how cruel Jackson was

I was determined to help Isaac I rummaged through my bag pulling out my cell phone.

Damn it my battery was dead, I turned to face Jackson but he was already half way though the front door. I was outraged at how cruel Jackson was.

Typical ego driven argh... I need to help Isaac

I ran home as fast as my feet could carry me I needed to call the police, they needed to find Isaac before his father did.

Puffed, my legs screamed at me to stop running I was out of shape, but I wouldn't give in I had rounded the corner to my street I could see the drive way I was going to make it,

As I got closer I could see a silhouette on the porch so I slowed down I looked around.

I was scared what if Mr. Lahey had seen me and wanted to know what I had seen. I couldn't see his car anywhere as I approached I did noticed a bike strewn across the lawn.

I breathed a sigh of relief recognizing the bike I knew it must be Isaac.

He was waiting on the porch, It was dark I couldn't see his face but I could make out his curly hair. He was leaning against the stairs railing, his legs pulled to his chest. I could make out a very soft sobbing.

"Oh, Isaac" I ran up the stairs and embraced him. He flinched expecting to be hurt again. After a minute of silence he turned into my body and hugged me back, his sobbing grew louder. We stayed like that, until our body heat couldn't compete against the chill in the air.

I cleared my throat "Come inside, I can make us something to eat"

Isaac wiped the tears away from his face and nodded. I held his hand as we stood up; I unlocked the wooden door and pulled him into the warmth of the house. We headed into the kitchen I pushed him towards the breakfast bar stools. He sat down quietly observing me as I potted around the kitchen.

I looked in the freezer; there was frozen broccoli and collie flower. Yuck. I checked the fridge some left over pizza dad must have got on the way home last night.

Sigh, I couldn't let the poor boy starve, I checked the cupboards and found some two minute noodles, and I held them up.

"Will this be ok?"

Isaac nodded, I smiled. His eyes where blood shot from crying, I put a pot of water on the stove

While waiting for it to boil I grabbed Isaac's hand and lead him towards the bath room.

I pulled out alcohol rub from under the sink and a face washer ; I poured some into the cloth and offered it to Isaac

Isaac seemed like he was in shock so I guided his hand to his face, arms and legs to clean out the small cuts he had accumulated

Following my instructions as he raised his hands to splash his face with water

He stopped what he was doing and looked at his reflection in the mirror. His face full of fear, my heart felt like it broke into pieces.

I grabbed his hand and held it tightly until he looked me in the eye I nodded and guided him back to the kitchen stool

I served us a bowel each; Isaac and I ate in silence. I was shocked when he spoke up

"Can… I stay here please" I had my mouth open fork twirled with noodles ready to pop in.

"Oh course, I don't think you would be very safe going home" He smiled and sat up a little straighter.

I cleaned up the dishes and dried them so dad wouldn't know I had company.

I showed Isaac to my room, I really needed a shower. He sat on the bed as I picked out clothes for bed and school tomorrow.

"Do you want to have a shower? You could borrow some of dad's clothes?"

"Ok, But I already have a change of clothes" I nodded in response.

Isaac tilted his head down and whispered 'it's not the first time I've had to stayed out all night'

I sat down on the bed next to him and rubbed his back, fresh tears sprung from his eyes

'Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry" I wrapped my arms awkwardly around his shoulders and moved my head into the crook of his neck.

Isaac released everything, confessed to being abused, beaten and locked away at night. I cried with him I didn't know if I could be as strong as he is.

I reassured Isaac it was over and that he was safe and I would help him in every way possible

I looked into Isaac's eyes, there was an awkward pause, He looked down at my lips I thought about his lips and what they would taste like, and how soft they would feel against mine.

"Err… I… better shower…Yup" I quickly stood up and rushed off.

I came back to find Isaac curiously looking around my room, I just stood in the door frame watching him. He looked so innocent like a child with no worries.

He picked up photos and different memorabilia I had collected over the years, running his fingers over each item gently. I could see a difference in his appearance already he stood tall and comfortable; as he turned around he smiled at me.

I offered Isaac a big red fluffy towel and shooed him away to the shower. I laid in bed listen to the running water as I started to fall asleep.

I was startled awake by Isaac plopping onto the bed next to me he had a playful smile on his face

He lay on his side facing me, arm tucked under his head. I laid on my back my head turned to face him.

He moved in slowly towards my face his arm reaching out gently touching my face I closed my eyes as our lips softly touched, the kiss started becoming intense, and there was a raw need of affection coming from Isaac. I giggled and blushed as he pulled away.

Isaac had a beautiful smile on his face, my heart fluttered. I snuggled into his side and falling asleep.

My alarm woke me, Huge smiled on my face, I turned around to find nothing, no one

"Isaac" shit

Oh no, that wasn't another dream was it? As I moved around my fingers crunched around a note.

Morning Mia, I didn't want to wake you. I heard your dad moving around. See you at school

Thank you for everything

Isaac

So it wasn't a dream, unless I could write notes in my sleep. I snorted to myself.

I raced to get ready; the sun was shining, birds chirping. I had Isaac in my bed, holding me, kissing me.

Dad had left a note on the table

Wanted to borrow your truck, I needed to pick up a new lawn mower. Replaced the battery

Love dad ;)

My day was going to be perfect, I scoffed my breakfast grabbing everything I needed for school and headed for my truck keys in hand.

Arrived to school in no time; I had this urgency to find Isaac to prove that it was real, if I was dreaming something was wrong and I would have to see a physiatrist.

I found him locking his bike up to the rack.

"Isaac" I called

Isaac's head whipped around to face mine, He waved. I breathed out, I didn't even release I had been holding my breath.

He walked towards me, as me meet he embraced me in his arms I rubbed my face against his shirt he smelled wonderful

"I'm so glad I wasn't dreaming" I spoke into Isaac's chest. He chuckled.

There was a tap on my shoulder what the?

The sheriff stood there

"sher…iff, what's… what's wrong" I stuttered, police never equaled to anything good!

"Isaac, I'm sorry to inform you but your father has been murdered" Isaac became very still.

I stepped back from our embrace

The sheriff reached out and cuffed him and put him in the back of the car.

"Isaac" I tried reaching out, but a pair of hands grabbed me holding me back from moving

"It's ok Mia, I'll call you tonight" Isaac said trying to reassure me

The sheriff ducked Isaac's head into the patrol car

The police woman had held me back was now rubbing my back as I cried.

"It will be alright sweetie; they just need to ask him some questions. He's the last person seen with his father and has have motive. We just want to clear his name"

I couldn't stop shaking, I wanted to tell her that Isaac couldn't have done it; he was with me the whole night. If I did my father would find out I had been alone in the house with a boy.

I couldn't let dad know