[Conny]: All right... well, I think I will be updating this story, so I will be switching it to an ongoing story. I'm sorry to those who have been asking for more and didn't receive anything sooner. Truly, I have been having a hard time figuring out this story and I think I know where I might be going with it.

Again, the novel SPEAK does not belong to me. I just want to keep that as a constant reminder...

This is boring. I've never been so bored in my life. I thought New York City was supposed to be fun, but the novelty wore off rather quickly. If you don't have money, then you can't go shopping often. If you have a job, it probably doesn't pay a whole lot. Not to mention, there's that disgusting riot I have to pass by to get to work. Most of the people don't even know why they're there. It's something about the rich getting richer, while the poor are either the same or getting in worse condition. To be honest, they are only making the problem worse. Look at all of them, they're a bunch of animals rolling around in their own manure (sometimes, literally doing so).

That's beside the point. I still get those phone calls, they still come on a nightly basis. I don't mind helping Conny out, but there has to be more for me to do. I can't really drive back to the town I grew up in, just to help out this girl. I have to deal with college and my stupid job in a department store. I knew people out in Syracuse were rude, but I never imagined that-scratch that, I knew that people from the city would be more irritable than those from my hometown. I know there is something different, though it's not something to celebrate. There is no IT here, but there is not one but two back there.

Last night, Conny's voice was strained and hoarse. I could tell that she was crying, but I couldn't do anything to comfort her. Her parents are useless, just as mine were. They still have no idea what's going on, and they're even starting to try to "help" her. By that, I mean they are making her see someone who specializes with special children. It sickens me that they haven't even tried talking to her about things. It's terrible! Maybe I should switch careers, but I think I will stick with my artwork for a while. At least for now.

Donnie, her older brother, has become worse than I could have imagined. Conny had trouble telling me in the beginning, which I am all right with. I know the struggle to let someone in. She told me the move vivid stories as time progressed, ones that I couldn't believe were real. It sounded like she was telling me a horror story, rather than her reality. It went from things that seemed so small, like taunting and ridicules...but it gradually became strangulations and bruising beatings. He's even tried cutting her. Can you guess where her parents were when this occurred?

Well, according to Conny, they were off having another honeymoon. Is it truly possible for parents to be that blind?

Prof: "Have you been paying attention at all, Melinda?" Oh, crap. What? "Apparently not. This is the reason why I asked for you to stay after class."

me: "Yes?" I understand that I haven't been paying attention a whole lot. I haven't gotten much sleep. I have my job, my duty to talk to Conny, and school work. Does anyone know how hard that is?

Prof: "I have an idea. I'm sure you know my good friend, Mr. Freeman, right?" This is where I'm going to zone out. My college art teacher just loves long stories, and I've heard this one before. About how they met in a riot decades ago and how they instantly became friends. It's boring. "-was thinking you'd want to go home for a while, but you don't seem interested."

me: "What?" He repeated himself, speaking slower. He's treating me like a child with that voice, but at least I can hear what he had to say. He explained, in great detail, about how I could become a student teacher. I didn't really have the idea of becoming a teacher, but apparently it would do me some good. Oh, and not just me.

Prof: "So, will you do it?" How in the world am I supposed to say no?

I made arrangements with a friend of mine, so that I don't have to live with my parents again. It' s been a while since we've talked, but I think it will be okay. We can get along quite well, but we still haven't spoken with each other until yesterday. I wonder what it's like back- oh, I already know what its like back home. Second semester means that its raining and its windy. Not to mention, Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

Ivy: "I can't believe you're leaving already!" She followed me out here to this college (or rather, I followed her), but now we have to split up for a while. It's shocking, we've actually become good friends and roommates here. Now she can have wild parties in our room, while I'm gone (I know she's dying for something like that).

me: "I'm not going to be gone too long, but to think I won't be shopping with you for a while!" She's an amazing shopper. Ivy knows just what to pick (both for health and financial reason) and how to haggle with people. Really, if I didn't have here around...I think I would be having a more serious money issue.

Ivy: "I'll see you soon, Melinda." She gave me a quick squeeze, then I got into my car. She waved and I honked my horn, then I was off. No use in saying goodbye, when you'll see them again.

While on the highway, my phone started playing classical music. Crap, I can't talk right now, but what if it's urgent?

Inner me: "Come on, it's not like you're texting and driving."

me: "Fine." I was able to answer the call before it went to voicemail. "Hello?"

Conny: [muffled] "Why won't you just leave me alone?"

Donnie: [also muffled] "Stop struggling, bitch." After he said that, she yelped. "There."

Conny: "Let me go!"

me: "Conny!" It's like no one heard me.

Donnie: "Tell me who you keep talking to. Is it that manwhore?" Yup, I hate this boy. I hate him do much.

Conny: "I'm not talking to anyone!" Each cry I heard after the constant pounding made me wince. My hands looked like bleached bones, while clinching onto the wheel.

Conny: "Stop, please stop!" Her voice changed. She wasn't as strong as she started out. There was desperation and fear drowning her out.

Donnie: "Give me one reason why I should." Malice thickly laced his voice. If I could, I'd rip his arrogance from his throat.

Conny: "I-I'm...a dirty slut...y-you wouldn't want t-to...defile yourself..." There was a silence, but ended with his malevolent laughter. If I didn't know any better, he was the evil warlock that succeeded in achieving his goal.

Donnie: "True. You're spared." There was muted footsteps, then I heard the absolute closing of a door. There was ruffling, like sheets and pillows were being moved.

Conny: "I can't take this..."

me: "Conny?" I still wasn't heard.

Conny: "Why can't they see? Oh, yeah...I'm not showing them. I really am a bitch." The sobbing started, but I can't do anything about it. I found myself tearing up and speeding. If I can make it out there soon, maybe I could help? But I can't find her, I don't know where she is. I don't know what I can really do.

Conny: "Why can't I just die? It's not like someone cares." I want to scream, but she laughs. "I have an angel, I think. Grandpa always said...that there'd always be someone out there to watch over me."

I don't know why, but for once... I actually smiled for this girl. I have always had a fear something terrible would happen to her, that maybe I should always be concerned for her. Even though I never truly had a family member that loved me, there was at least one person out there that gave a damn about me. I suppose they'd have to be angels to have cared for someone like me, so am I that angel for Conny?

Cheery Lady: [strange accent] "Conny! Donnie! We're back."

Cheery Man: [strange accent] (starts speaking a language I couldn't even comprehend)

Conny: "I don't want to eat..." Her phone ends up shutting off, just as I turn off the highway. I'm careful and shut off my phone, so I could pay more attention to the road.

I suppose... maybe she still has a chance. I'm sure that Conny can survive a little longer. I'll be around soon enough and maybe I can make a difference. Not to mention, I get to see the cricket-man again.

I'M HERE. Text was sent and within two seconds, I parked in front of the house I will be staying at for a while. It's nicer than I would have thought. Really, how can someone afford a house this nice in this crappy town?

The door opened, and the first thing I saw was a welcoming smile. Yup, I think I can get used to this.

[Conny]: So... will it really take another few months for me to continue this story? Probably. If I get more reviews...it might update faster. I'm still not too sure where it will be going, but who is this person that Melinda meets in the end? You'll have to ask for it! But thank you for reading and I hope you review!