"Stop… stop… STOP!" Jess woke up twisted in his sheets, screaming.
Luke was at Jess's side in a matter of seconds. It didn't take long, since Jess's mattress was on the floor right next to Luke's bed.
"Jess, are you okay? What happened?" Luke asked. He looked so worried and scared.
"Nothing! Leave me alone!" He pushed Luke away and pulled his cover over his head.
Luke hesitated for a moment but then got back into his own bed.
Jess couldn't tell him the truth. He couldn't tell him that he had another nightmare about being beaten by past stepfathers.