Justin

I wasn't at all surprised that Gavin showed up at my doorstep two days later. Once Ana filled him in on everything, there wasn't a chance in hell he'd let me go without a fight. I was surprised, however, to find Gianna trailing behind him.

"Hey," I said, holding the door wide for them.

Gavin didn't return my greeting, just turning to me with a shake of his head. "What are you doing man?" He asked softly.

I swallowed. "I have to, Gavin. I'm so...fucking trapped here. I'm so messed up-up here. I pointed to my forehead. "I can't be here anymore. Not in this town. Certainly not in this damn house. I leave tomorrow night."

Gianna spoke up. "She's not taking what happened well, Justin. She's acting like she is. But she needs her friends right now. She needs you."

I bit my lip. "I have to think of myself right now."

Shockingly, Gavin nodded in understanding. "Any idea where you're going?"

I shook my head. "I have more money than I'd ever know what to do with. I'm just gonna drive, see where I end up. Where I'm happy."

"If you ever need anything," He pulled me into a hug. "don't hesitate to call."

"Thank you, Gavin, for everything, for being such a good friend to both of us."

Gavin separated us, keeping his hands on my shoulders. "I'll take care of her, Justin. But you gotta take care of yourself. Be happy. You deserve it more than anyone."

--

I was running around the living room like a madman when my doorbell rang. I groaned, I was done with visitors. I just wanted to get the hell out already.

I swung the door open with full force. "Can I help-" I froze in my place.

"Hi," Ana said quietly, arms wrapped behind her back. Her hair was pulled back from her face, revealing scratches and bruises across her temple and jaw. My eyes hardened over the wounds. She raised an eyebrow, laying a hand over her cheek. "I fell when they moved me from the truck to the house. But if anyone asks, I got these from a fight that I won." She smiled slightly but it disappeared at the sight of my cold stare. She coughed.

"What are you doing here?"

She shook her head. "I'm not here to beg you to stay."

But part of me wishes you would. "Thanks for clearing that up. What do you want then?"

"Gavin told me what you said. About feeling trapped. Why didn't you tell me?"

I shrugged, "You were in a hospital bed. You had enough going on; you didn't need to hear my complaining."

Ana laughed humorlessly. "Why do you always do that? Why do you have this twisted idea that your problems are so insignificant and no one gives a shit? Because I do, Justin. I give a shit about you and your problems and I want to help. I'm here for you whether you like it or not."

I just nodded, looking down at the floor.

"Why didn't you ask me to come with you?"

"Because I know you would have said no."

The corners of her mouth turned up. "You're right." Then she let out a sigh. "What are you going to do with the house?"

"Someone's coming tomorrow to take everything in the attic and Richard's room to storage. Then I'm leaving Gavin in charge of renting the place out."

Ana stared at me. "I hope you find what you're looking for, Justin."

I nodded, "Me too."

I watched her turn for the door. She froze in place, twisting her head to look back at me. "I didn't dream it, did I? You saved me."

I cleared my throat. "I'd always come and save you. No matter what."

Ana nodded, sliding the screen door open and stepping out into the cold evening. I shut the door behind her, leaning my forehead against the wood. "Bye Ana." I whispered to the empty air.

--

I swept over the attic one last time before I went to bed just to make sure there wasn't anything else to take. I'd already packed up a box of pictures and some of Mom's jewelry in the trunk of my car. In the morning, I'd take the box I'd left on Richard's bed of his belongings. Everything else would go to storage. I'd look at it one day.

I sat on the dusty floor, up against the wall with one of Mom's journals in my lap. I flipped it open to the first page, smiling when I saw the date.

March 3, 1994

Just a year ago, I thought I'd be dead by now. After so many failed attempts, I was ready to just jump in front of a train or something. But now I have someone who needs me, someone who's made me happier than I've ever been.

His name is Justin and he's the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. He's a piece of me and I will raise him to be a proud and good man. I will be the loving figure I rarely experienced.

I will protect him from Richard. I hate what he's done to me but I will never regret what I got out of it. I love my son more than I have ever loved anything.

--

I cannot thank you all enough for everything you have done. Every read, comment and vote means the absolute world to me. This story started as some badly written fic on JBFF in 2012 when I was fifteen years old and since then, has turned into something I could have never expected. It is so important to me that I create a story for you all to enjoy and I just hope I can deliver.

The first chapter to the sequel, and final book in the series, FRACTURES, will be up on May 1st. The prologue is up now if you all wanna go read it and bookmark it so you know when the first chapter's up :)

twitter: @bugattibiebxr

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I am so excited for what's to come this summer and to see what's in store for Justin and Ana and I hope you are too. Thank you for sticking by me. I love you all more than words could ever describe.