Sitting in my last class of the day, I’m dreading going back to that house.

The clock on the wall has become my enemy. It slowly counts down to my doom. He is home today waiting for my return. I will not be able to sneak past to the safety of my room. My only hope is for him to be already passed out on the couch. Wishful thinking on my part.

My last hour of school is spent listening to the teacher, Mrs. Meadows a heavy set middle aged woman, talk about the different computer programs we will be learning about all year.

"Everyone take out a sheet of paper. I want you to write down what programs you are familiar with. Then turn them in." Mrs. Meadows spoke before returning to her desk.

Pulling out my notebook, I begin to write down my very small list. Besides school, I never have excess to one. I finish quickly while everyone else continues to write. Flipping to another page to doodle, I become engross to my task at hand.

I never notice my sleeve riding up revealing some of my bruises; Ashley did however. She was sitting beside me.

A minute later a note was placed in front of me. It read What are you doing after school? She is going to want to talk to me, and I haven’t spoken a word in to anyone in five years. I would rather go with her then go home, but he’ll be seething if I don’t come straight home. So I reply with a I can’t. Have to go home right after school. I slide it back over to her. Not even a second later, the note is back in front of me. Do you want a ride home?

The bell rings, and I follow Ashley outside to her car. "Well here is my baby." She stops in front of a black Porsche. "Get in."

Sitting in the car, Ashley is staring at me. She waiting on directions to my house. "Spencer if you don’t tell me how to get to your house. I’m just gonna take you home with me." Her smile causes her nose to crinkle.

Opening my mouth, I try to speak but nothing comes out. Instead, I reach for my notebook and write the address down for her. She looks at it for a moment before frowning. "Why won’t you talk?"

I write her a reply. I haven’t talked for years.

"Why? Does it have to deal with the bruises I saw on your wrist?" I shake my head yes and turn to stare out the window.

"Hey Spencer, listen to me." She places a hand on my arm, so naturally I flinch away at the contact. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you." Ashley is whispering now. I nod again letting her know it’s okay. "You need to talk Spence. It’s not good to let everything build up inside of you. I’m here if you ever want to talk." She puts her hand on me again; this time I don’t move away.

We are almost to my house now. I can see his car in the driveway. The temporary relief I had is gone. The panic has set in now. My heart is pounding so hard, I don’t even hear the engine to the car shut off.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" Oh god that would not go over well with him. I tell her no with my head while staring at the floor board.

"Are you sure?" She looks like she is actually concerned about me.

Instead of shaking my head, I do the unthinkable because I really want to know.

"Why?" I speak for the first time in five years to someone else. It’s said just above whisper. If she wasn’t listening closely, Ashley would of never heard it.

I finally spoke.

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