Through out the next 2 weeks Troy and Brie, as Troy calls her, have become very close friends. They hung out everyday after school when he didn't have basketball practice. Brie had been to Troy's house several times, but Troy never to Brie's. Troy is starting to think there is something wrong.

Troy: Hey Brie, what are you doing this weekend?

Brie: nothing, just staying at home. Why?

Troy: You wanna hang out?

Brie: Sure, you wanna go to your house?

Troy: No, we can't. My parents are setting up for some dinner for the company. What about your house?

Brie: umm........We can't because my walls are getting painted. *lies*

Troy: Didn't you just get your walls painted?

Brie: yeah, but they got messed up by my mom kicked m- never mind

Troy: No, tell me

Brie: never mind, it's not important. How about we meet at the beach?

Troy: Brie, tell me, are you hiding something from me?

Brie: No, but I gotta go before my mom gets mad.

Troy: *grabs her arm* Brie, come on. I can tell your lying. What's going on?

Brie: Noting, now please let me go

Troy: *lets go of her arm* Fine, I'll see you at the beach at 10 am?

Brie: Sure, bye Troy!

Brie: see ya Brie!

Brie runs home and walks to the backyard. She climbs up the tree and walks into her room. Just as she sits down on her bed her mom walks in. (Mrs. Montez will be M: from now on)

M: Your supper is down stairs on the counter, I'm going to the store be back in your room before I come back.

Brie's mom walks out of the room and as soon as she heard the door shut she ran downstairs and looked at the plate on the counter. It was carrots with ranch.

Brie: Ewww!! She did that on purpose!

Brie hated carrots. [AN: Smart choice Brie, they are disgusting!] she threw it in the garbage and opened the fridge. she saw an apple shoved in the back of the fridge. She grabbed it and checked it over. She ran upstairs as she heard a car door shut. She hid the apple in her laptop case. She had gotten a laptop for Christmas before her dad died. Brie heard footsteps and quickly took out her homework and set it on her bed.

M: What are you doing?

Brie: homework

M: Whatever, I have guests coming over so stay in your room and don't make a sound!!

Brie: ok

M: and get your homework done. *she shuts the door* brat!

Brie: *heard her so called mom call her a brat* what did I ever do? At least she didn't hit me

At 6:30 Brie heard people talking downstairs. She just ignored it and kept doing her homework. Later, she had to cough, and she knew her mom would hear her. She tried to hold it in, but she couldn't anymore. She let out a cold hoarse cough and heard loud footsteps coming towards her room.

M: WHAT ARE YOU DOING? I TOLD YOU TO BE QUIET!!!

Brie: I'm sorry, I had to cough, my throat hurt.

M: your throat hurt?

Brie nodded her head

M: I DON'T CARE!!! *she kicked her in the stomach and stormed out of the room*

Brie held her stomach in pain and slowly lifted up her shirt. On her stomach was a large dark purple bruise. She touched it and winced in intense pain. She carefully got up and opened her balcony door. She closed the door behind her, and she looked up at the stars and started to cry.

Brie: What did I do to deserve this? What am I doing wrong? What do I do?

Brie ran back into her room, grabbed her jacket, slipped it on, and climbed down the tree. It was 9:00 P.M and it was getting dark. She was crying as hard as she's ever cried. She ran down the sidewalk, and turned down a street. She stopped in front of someone's house and slowly walked up to the door. She knocked on the door with all the strength she had left. Luckily, Troy answered the door.

Troy: Brie?! What's wrong?

Brie just broke down and Troy embraced her in a tight hug. She winced in pain and he pulled back still holding her.

Troy: I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?

Brie didn't answer, she just rested her head on Troy's chest and continued crying. Troy led her inside and sat down with her on the couch. She held onto him for dear life, and he didn't get what was happening. He just held onto her.

Troy: Brie, what's wrong??

Brie: *no answer* *she looked down still in Troy's arms*

Troy: Brie you gotta tell me what's wrong? I might be able to help you.

Brie didn't say anything. She stood up and slowly showed him her stomach. Troy stood up and gasped while in bracing her again.

Troy: Brie, how did that happen?

Brie: *no answer*

Troy: Come on Brie. You can trust me, I won't hurt you.

Brie: *whispers through her tears* my mom

Troy: your mom?

Brie nods her head

Troy: Brie why didn't you tell me before?

Brie: *no answer*

Troy: Brie you can't keep living like this. I'm gonna help you ok?

Brie looked up at him and nodded slowly.

Troy: You can stay here tonight.

Brie just nodded and laid down on the couch. She turned on her side and closed her eyes.

Troy: Brie you don't have to sleep here. Come on, you can sleep in my room.

Brie got up off the couch and walked up to Troy. Troy held out his arms and Brie went into them tiredly. She rested her head on his shoulder and Troy carried her upstairs and into his room. He shut the door with his foot and laid Brie down on the bed. Troy headed towards the couch in his room when he heard a quiet sound.

Brie: *whispers* Troy?

Troy: What?

Brie: *holds out her arms*

Troy: aww, *walks to Brie* What do you want Brie?

Brie: *whispers* someone to hold me

Troy: oh, come here *embraces her carefully in his grip* You gotta get some sleep, let's go.

Troy: lays down with Brie and she falls asleep in his arms.