Sera's POV

I wasn't much paying attention to the movie. I was more happy and glad that finally we're a family again. Finally both managed to work through everything… and I feel happy… happy as I was back when I was younger. I felt on never wanting to leave my parents sides… just always be with them…

Mum got me a new pointe shoes. It was a perfect fit, and I couldn't wait on getting back to dancing. I missed it a lot… but both my parents thought it was better if for now I give it a rest and not stress myself. Dancing isn't stress! But who am I to change their minds? … I guess I only have to wait…

I looked towards the clock and realized that in few minutes I was to meet Natalie. I quickly closed my journal and hid it under the bed. Hopefully nobody would find it there, and in few minutes I was ready. I put on a pair of black leggings and a baby pink cashmere sweater. I looked towards the mirror… but I still was disappointed. Everybody says I'm so thin… and yet… I can't see that… it's frikkin frustrating. I decided to quickly fix my hair, and left it lying gracefully on my shoulder. Both my parents loved my long hair… and I think I inherited the love of hair from them. Mum had the most perfect hair colour, whereas dad, whatever the situation, he always had the perfect hair… both my mother and I were a tad jealous of that! He's a man! He shouldn't be running around with the perfect hair! Girls are supposed to be like that. 'Ok… maybe that is a bit sexist…' I thought to myself.

I made my way downstairs, and joined my parents for a second in the living room, before I headed out.

'Honey…' Mum stared. 'We need to upgrade your wardrobe…' she started.

'Mum… I like these…'

'Your mother is right Sera…' Dad added. 'It's been almost a year since you've went shopping… and Aunt Mia surely won't approve of those… they're last years…' He replied while both my mother and I remained staring at him. Now he's also an expert in clothes? 'What?' He asked

'Christian… you sounded like… a girl…' Mum replied.

'Hey… I happened to be very interested in girls stuff… since I'm surrounded by constant oestrogen here…' He joked.

'We can get a dog?' I suggested! 'I miss Bert…'

'Come here baby…' Mum smiled as she patted a seat beside her. 'You know that no dog will replace Bert… and you will never love him as much as you loved Bert…'

'You're right…' I replied. 'Can we at least get a hamster?'

'A hamster?' Dad asked astonished.

'Your father is afraid of rodents…' Mum commented.

'Dad it's not a rodent… it's a hamster…' I replied. 'We'll choose a brown one? And we'll name him Berry?' I suggested.

'Come on Christian… you'll love it…' Mum suggested. '…they are very cute and cuddly…' Mum helped. 'I love hamsters… my father and I used to breed them.'

'…well…' He started as he looked towards our hoping faces. 'Ok… fine… how can I say no to my favourite girls?'

'What do you say we'll go buy one after you come from Nat's?' Mum suggested.

'Mhmmm.' I replied excitedly.

'On one condition!' Dad stopped us.

'Anything dad…' I smiled.

'The rodent had to stay out of any room… even yours Sera…'

'Even mine?'

'Yes… We'll keep him in the kitchen… you two can play with it… but it will never… and I repeat… never enter any other room except the living room and kitchen.'

'Ok…' I smiled as my phone buzzed. 'Nat's waiting for me…' I said again as I got up and kissed them both. 'I'll soon be back…'

'Keep your phone on you at all times…' Dad instructed as he held my hand. '…and don't use the other arm. You've already removed the strap… The last thing you need is hurting your arm…'

'Don't worry dad…' I said again as my phone buzzed for the second time. 'I better go…'

'Call us if you need anything…' Mum called as I made my way out.

'Love you!' I called back.

Ana's POV

'Christian, I don't like this…' I started. I could feel it in my gut. There was something wrong.

'I don't either Ana… but the deal was the she can hang out with her when Nat needs her…'

'…we should have been a bit of bad cop…'

'More than we are Ana? We're already still pushing her to eat… the least thing she needs is not seeing her only friend…'

'…and you have another thing to worry about Christian…' I replied as I smiled as I saw his eyes look straight into mine.

'What is it?' He asked.

'Driving lessons Christian…' I spit out. 'If you are not going to teach her… I will…'

'Ana… she has a perfect driving system here…'

'Christian… she only wants to learn! Be grateful she asked you and not someone else!' I encouraged. 'What are you truly afraid of baby?' I asked him gently.

'Ana…' He started as Gail interrupted us for tea.

Sera's POV

The drive was quiet, only to the radio on. She was looking straight ahead, and the little conversation I started was to no success. She still kept crushing every conversation. I tried again for the fifth time… but I soon gave up. She didn't seem to want to talk. I decided to let it go. When she was comfortable enough, she would talk… after all that's what friends are for…

After 15 minutes of driving we arrived to the park. She parked her car, and we got out slowly, she guided me to the bench we used to sit in back when we were kids. We always loved our secret place… and it was secret for a reason, because nobody quite knew about it except us. Although we were still quiet, I decided to try and break the ice.

'What's wrong Nat? What did you want to talk about?' I asked her gently as I rubbed her shoulder. 'You know I'm here for you...' I encouraged.

'Here for me?' she smirked. 'Why? Are you going to tell your father too?' She mocked.

'What… what do you mean?' I asked her confused.

'You ass Sera!' she shouted while people from the bench across us looked towards us. 'I fucking trusted you Sera... I told you every secret and you go tell my father?'

'What... What are you talking about?' I asked her again.

'Don't play dumb with me asshole. I may be pregnant but I can take you and you won't live my wrought…' She said in spite.

'Calm down Nat…' I tried slowly, but she only went ballistic.

'You know what I'm talking about...and you wonder why your parents abandoned you Sera? You deserve it all you fucking bitch!' she shouted again as everybody stared at us.

'Natalie, don't shout...' I tried. 'People are looking at us…'

'Let them... I have nothing to hide... You deserve everything that happened to you Sera... Jason would have made a better person than you have!'

'Natalie...' I said in tears. 'What are you saying?'

'I regret trusting you Sera... I regret fucking being there for you and most of all... I regret that Leila didn't take your life instead of Jason's...' she retorted back as she glared at me.

'Natalie... Stop it...you have no right talking about my brother!' I glared back at her, trying to hold my tears back. My best friend wished that I was death instead of my brother. I stood up and walked away from her.

'Yes right... Do what best you can do Sera... Walk away! Aren't you such an expert on that?'

'Shut up Natalie...'I retorted back as I turned to face her. 'For your information I didn't say anything to Taylor… My father told him… second of all you were the one that lied bluntly and straight to your father… if he doesn't trust you it is all your fault! You cannot blame me…I told you to open up to him and to respect him Natalie… it is not my fucking fault…' I replied back as I turned away from her, but she soon caught up with me and turned me from my shoulder. All of a sudden I felt a blasting punch across my face, and her hand was there. I fell down with her collision, and soon I felt warm liquid coming down from my eyebrow and nose. I placed my hand up, and there it was... blood.

'You ruined my life Sera… because of you my father doesn't trust me…' She said in spite. 'We are no longer friends Sera... And you can forget my dad being there for you. I only have to beg him to stop working for your dad...' she replied. 'You took my independence. I'll take what truly belongs to me.' she added as she turned around and made her way.

'Nat!' I called her. 'Where are you going?' I replied as I stood up and stared towards her.

'Home alone…' She called back.

'What am, I going to do?' I asked her while everybody remained staring at us.

'Walk it home if you want... Isn't that what you're an expert on whale?' She called back with a sense of proudness in her.

Everybody was still staring at me, and old man came beside me and asked me if I needed any help. He guided me to their bench and handed me his handkerchief while his wife placed some ice cubes. She guided the cloth over my nose, and made sure that I keep my head back whilst the blood stopped.

I looked down at my shirt, and it was filled with spots of blood. 'How am I to hide this from my parents?' I thought to myself, while the old woman continued talking.

'I don't understand kids todays! Back in my days if my father – God gives him Heaven's Glory – if lied to him he would have spanked the devil out of me, and for sure wouldn't have let me go out!' She started. 'How are you feeling dear?' She asked me gently while her husband returned with ice-creams.

'I feel better. Thank you…' I smiled weakly as I flinched under her wrinkled hands.

'My dear… your face is becoming swollen…' She noted yet again. 'Peter, hand me over another cube.' She told him. 'My legs these days aren't as useful as they used to be. Our children help us every day, but it's never enough, and we can't bother them. They have their own families now.'

'Here Catherine.' He replied as he handed her the cube. My phone started to vibrate, and I realized that it was dad. I quickly ended his call. I didn't want to face him now… He'll know something is wrong, and if he'll track my phone he'll know where I am…

'Dear, why don't you answer it. Your parents must be really worried about you.' She replied again, whilst Peter handed us the ice-cream.

'No… I don't want them to get worried… They'll go absolutely ballistic if they'll know.'

'Honey… they are your parents… They would want to know…' Peter continued as he sat beside me. 'If it were my kids, I would want to know…' He explained gently.

'I… I better get going…' I replied not wanting to take more of their time. They were so kind and helpful. I wish all people were all sweet like them… Their kids must be proud to have parents like that.

'Why don't you wait a little more dear?' Catherine suggested.

'I don't think my parents will appreciate it… and I've taken more than enough of your time.' I replied. 'Thank you for all your help…' I smiled. 'I'm sorry for the handkerchief…'

'I have plenty at home.' Peter smiled. 'Do you live far away?' He asked me. 'I can start my car, and drive you if you want…'

'No… no… there's no need…' I insisted. 'You should enjoy your day. My grandparents are always working. They're doctors, and I know how limited time can be.' I smiled.

'Here…' Peter said as he handed me a paper with 8 digits on it. 'Please, when you arrive home, do call us to tell us you are fine. I have a granddaughter your age. I don't want you to get hurt on the way. If my legs could take me, I would walk you or drive you if you want…'

'No… no… really it's fine…' I smiled as I took the piece of paper. 'I'll text you…'

'Don't text us. We still don't know how to read texts.' He replied. 'The only function I know on this damn technology that is ruling your generation is how to answer it.'

'Ok… I surely will…' I smiled. 'Thank you again.' I continued as I waved at them, and made my way home.

It was humiliating enough that she decided to confront me in front of everybody. I wanted the earth to just open and swallow me. She was the only best friend I had… the only sister I had, and she didn't want me anymore. Maybe she is right... I should be dead... Dad told me that I was doing the right thing telling Taylor... Guess it wasn't true... Maybe I should have kept everything to myself… Damn… She hates me… and I didn't get to ask her how she is…

Hey words kept running into my mind. I didn't want to hurt her. I only wanted to help her... But she is right...she trusted me and I betrayed her. What kind of person would do that? And will Taylor actually listen to her? I don't want him to leave! He's the only person I can open up without having neither of my parents hurt. I mean… we did promise to talk… but with Taylor I could say all the fears I had regarding them. He was there when no one was… he picked me up and mended me millionths of times, not to mention, he was the one that found me when I was raped. He was the one that prevented me from escaping. He was the one that confronted my parents when there was the need, and most of all he was the closest thing to a father I had when my own father didn't want to talk to me.

After almost half an hour of walking, I arrived home. I managed to make myself unnoticed from Sawyer as he was busy discussing things with Luke and Taylor. I managed to make my way up without anybody noticing me, but when I arrived to the living, there was no escaping it. Mum and dad were busy talking in the living room, and I couldn't pass them without them noticing me.

I tried making a run for it after a quick greeting, but dad stopped me immediately at the stairs.

'Wow… Aren't you going to greet your old man?' he asked me from behind.

'Sorry dad...' I chocked. 'Um... I'm a bit tired...' I continued as I tried suppressing my tears and climbed three more stairs.

'Wow...hold your horses...' he ordered as he was two steps away from me while I could see mum joining him at the end of the stairs from the corner of my eye. 'Turn around Sera...' he instructed.

'Dad...' I tried.

'Sera... Turn around...now please...' he ordered as he touched my shoulder lightly. I slowly turned facing him, and I saw his face changing shades.

'What the fuck?' he asked as took my chin and looked at my face, while my mother gasped. I flinched at his touch. It was painful. 'What the fuck happened?' he asked as he examined my face.

'It's nothing dad...' I tried, 'I fell…' I continued trying to keep everything quiet.

'Sera... Don't lie to me...'he said again as he dragged me down gently and back into the living room.

Christian's POV

Her face was brutally bruised, and her shirt was filled with bloodied spots. I could see Ana trying to gather some courage. Dried blood was under her nose, and her glasses were tainted. Purple bruises were already starting to form across her face, and it tore me apart. I saw Ana leaving the living room. 'Maybe she's squeamish…' I thought to myself.

I guided her gently to the couch and removed her cracked glasses.

'We'll get new ones… These were getting old anyways…' I commented while Ana came back with a facecloth and some warm water.

'Christian… leave this to me…' She guided as she took the bloodied handkerchief Sera was holding, and a small paper fell from it. 'What's this?' She asked again.

'Um… two old people helped. They wanted to make sure that I arrived safely home… They asked me to call them when I arrive.'

'You walked alone?' I asked astonished. She knows she's not allowed to walk those amounts of distances at these hours. I could only imagine the worst to happen.

'Dad… stop worrying… I'm fine.'

'Yeah… I can see that…' I replied sarcastically as Ana handed me the paper. 'I'll call them now. Do you know their names?' I asked her gently.

'Peter and Catherine. They were very nice dad…' I replied making sure he knows that they weren't creepy or something. I know how much he doesn't trust strangers. He had fear of this.

'Ok…' I replied as I started dialling. 'Ana…'

'Go… I'll take it from here…' She smiled as she started aiding to our daughter while Grace bought some antiseptic.

Christian's POV

I remained staring at my daughter. She was broken, and I could see it in her eyes. I only wanted to know what happened. I can only ask these people if they know something.

'Hello?' A woman answered.

'Hi, I'm Christian. Sera's father…' I started. 'The girl you helped at the park.'

'Oh yes dear… How is she?' She asked me.

'Well… bruised…' I replied as I passed my hands through my hair. 'I just wanted to let you know that she arrived.'

'Thanks Heavens! We were so worried.' She replied.

'Could you please tell me what happened?' I asked back.

'Let me get you my husband. He saw the whole thing Charlie…'

'Thanks…' I smiled. She was old I realized that… but she seemed sweet.

'Hello Charlie?' A male voice started.

'Hi… I'm Christian…'

'It's Christian not Charlie Catherine!' I heard him say. 'Sorry I forgot…' She replied. 'Hi, I'm Peter…' He continued this time to me. 'Did Sera arrive safely?'

'Yes she did… Please, I was wondering, could you tell me what happened?'

'Didn't she tell you?'

'She doesn't like to talk…' I replied as I looked at my daughter's broken form.

'Well, her friend… at least I suppose she was, had a fight about some secret… she told her that she shouldn't have trusted her… I didn't know what exactly was being said… but when your kid walked away, the other girl turned her and punched her…'

'…by any chance… is this girl tall, medium length hair, and looks few months pregnant?'

'Yes… that's the girl…' He replied while I felt anger building up. How dare she touches my daughter, and most of all hurt her… Sera was looking out for her, and yet she beat up my daughter. 'Christian?' He asked again.

'Yeah…' I replied. 'Do you remember anything else?'

'I didn't quite hear everything… I didn't want to eavesdrop, but from what I could hear, the other girl wished for Sera to be dead instead of some Jason…' He continued while I felt bile rising up in my throat. '… and then she walked away… she left your kid alone… her words were 'Walk it home if you want... Isn't that what you're an expert on whale?'…' He finished.

'Are you sure she said that?' I asked astonished. She knew about her eating disorder… she knew that this could be the death of her… and yet she still calls her that?

'Christian I can assure you that although my legs aren't as functional as they used to be, my ears are still hundred percent…'

'I'm sorry… I didn't mean to offend you…' I apologized immediately. 'It's just that Natalie knows some stuff and she knows she shouldn't tell my daughter those words.' I reasoned.

'Christian, you are a young father I assume. Kids of today's generation are definitely not like your parents.'

'Not my daughter… she wouldn't hurt a mosquito!'

'She's kind…' He replied giving me a sense that he was smiling.

'I can't thank you enough for what you did with my daughter…' I replied. 'Is there any way I can repay you?'

'Just take care of her, and maybe ask her to call us when she can. She's a nice girl. We'd love to see her again.' He smiled.

'Sure… I'll let her know that…' I replied. 'Thanks again Peter, and please thank your wife for me as well…'

'You're welcome fellow lad…' He replied before hanging up.

I placed my phone on the counter and kept looking at my wife trying to clean her face gently. How could Natalie do this? She knows this would crush Sera... I can't believe it... One thing was for sure... this wasn't going to end here... who hurts my daughter has to see it with me!

I grabbed my phone and quickly called Taylor

'Hello?' He started.

'Taylor, I want you up here right now... Your daughter is in huge trouble.' I replied sternly.

'What happened?' he asked clearly confused.

'Come up here and you'll know...' I replied as I hung up and got my crap together before I moved towards my baby...

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