Diana quickly left the kitchen and went straight to her bedroom, locking the door. She dropped her school bag on the ground and collapsed on her bed. Danny phased through a wall and joined her. He sat on the edge of the bed and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Diana, has your mom ever hurt you?" Danny asked softly. Diana unknowingly nodded.
"But only when she's really angry and drunk," Diana answered telepathically. Danny frowned sadly at her.
"How long has this been going on?" Danny inquired. Diana shrugged without her knowledge.
"Since dad died. He was in a car crash two years ago on Hallowe'en. Mom turned to drink to cope. She's only ever this bad around Hallowe'en," Diana explained telepathically. Danny nodded.
"Why haven't you told anyone?" Danny wondered.
"Because I already lost my dad, I don't want to lose my mom. Besides it's only around Hallowe'en when she drinks like this. As long as I don't make her angry. I'll be fine," Diana replied telepathically. Danny shook his head.
"What about tomorrow? Do you have any money for a bus tomorrow?" Danny reminded her. Diana bit her lip and shook her head.
"No, I don't get much pocket money. Mom uses all the money she gets from her job on the bills, food and drink," Diana answered. Danny scowled in thought.
"Would you be able to sleep over at someone else's house tomorrow night? You could explain to them about your problem and they might be able to help," Danny asked. Diana sat up, unknowingly pushing Danny away. She got up off the bed and plugged her phone into her charger by her bed and waited a few seconds before turning it on. Her phone gave a happy little jingle as it turned on and the black screen lit up. She opened her contacts and scrolled through the list of names.
"I could ask Jamie for a sleep over," Diana suggested out loud. Danny smiled. Diana wanted help. She was accepting his advice and suggestions. She was just too afraid to ask for it. She was afraid to lose her mother and too afraid of her mother to go against her. Danny placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Call them or text them. Ask for a sleepover. If they want to know why, I'm sure you wouldn't have chosen them if you didn't trust them. Just say what's wrong," Danny urged gently. Diana shook her head.
"I can't tell him about mom! What if she gets in trouble? What if she finds out I told?" Diana telepathically shouted, fear radiating off her.
"Alright! Alright, don't say anything yet then. But I'm sure that your friend will want to help you. But tell him that your mom is working late tomorrow night and you don't want to be alone at home," Danny recommended. Diana nodded and tapped in Jamie's phone number and called him.
"Hey Di, what's up? Having trouble with that geography homework?" Jamie answered. Diana chuckled softly and shook her head. Danny could feel the fear fading already.
"No, I was wondering if I could come over to your house tomorrow and maybe spend the night or something. Mom's working late," Diana replied.
"Doesn't bother me. Hold on, I'll ask my mom," Jamie agreed.
"Mom! Can Diana come over tomorrow and stay for the night?!" Jamie shouted. A few moments passed.
"Yeah, mom says it's fine," Jamie informed her. Diana grinned.
"Thanks Jamie. I'll see you tomorrow at school alright," Diana concluded.
"Sure, but if you have any luck with that history homework, could you call me back and help me," Jamie requested. Diana laughed.
"Sure Jamie," Diana retorted and hung up. Then Diana's fear returned.
"But what about mom? She's going to be even angrier if I stay out all night tomorrow," Diana whispered fearfully. Danny rested his hand on her shoulder again.
"Diana, calm down. Ask her over dinner or in the morning when she's sobered up. Tell her that a number of your friends said they'd be there. If there's a lot of people going then your mom can't be angry at you. Then when you come back, if she asks about it, say that only Jamie was there after all. That way if she asks anyone about the party, you don't look bad. Are you going to be alright now for a little while? I have to go check up on other kids. I'll be back tomorrow though," Danny asked. Diana nodded.
"Thanks. I have to start my homework anyway," Diana answered telepathically. Danny smiled warmly and released her shoulder and phased through the door. Diana would be fine. She just needed a confidence boost to get through this. A confidence boost and encouragement to get help. Hopefully this Jamie boy would be smart and be able to help his friend.
In case anyone is wondering… Jamie is Jamie Bennett.
Anyway, until the next chapter.