"Mason, I-I" I stutter, too shocked to process anything.

"Leah, I'm begging you" He says, eyes glossy.

"I can't. I can't put that burden on you, your parents. I can't do it" I say looking down at my hands.

"But you can. My mom has said it, you basically live here. You are like her daughter. It would make her happy to know that you are safe. Please, do it for me, for Ellie, for my mother" He says tilting my head up to look into his eyes.

"Mason, I appreciate it. I love you and your whole family. But I'm okay at home. I'm almost 18, and then, I'll have no fear of reporting them to the police. I need to go now" I say giving him a hug.

"Leah, I can't let you go home. Do you know what it will do to me? Do you know what it has been doing to me. From the second I saw you I knew you were different in many ways. When I got to know you I knew there was something you were hiding from everyone. This exact situation had crossed my mind and I pushed it out, in fear of being right. I can't let you" He says gripping my wrist.

"Mas, you are a sweetheart and I'm so thankful for you. I'm okay, aren't I? I'm happier now, I'm here almost every day. I'm perfect" I say smiling as a tear drops down his face. "I will text you when I get home" I say walking out of his room, wiping a stray tear away.

"Leah, what happened?" Ellie says grabbing my arm.

"I can't right now" I say running out of the house and driving away.

I pull over at the park and calm down a little, giving Ellie a call.

"Ellie, who's on the phone" I hear Mason say as soon as she picks up.

"What happened Le?" She says and the waterworks flow again.

"To sum it all up, my parents abuse me and Mason asked me to live at your house but I can't put that burden on you guys" I say trying to control my sobs.

"Where are you?" Ellie's voice cracks.

"The park" I breathe out.

"I'm coming with you" I hear Mason say at the sound of a door closing.

"Mas, you have football" Ellie says on the other line.

"Screw football. I'll tell coach I'm sick. I never miss" He says and the line goes dead. I get out of the car, holding in my tears and sit on the bench, away from everyone.

"Leah" I hear Ellie yell and she hugs me. I melt into the hug, feeling hopeless.

"This is my responsibility. I've been dealing with this practically my whole life. I can go through one more month" I smile at them, through my tears.

"But you shouldn't have to" Ellie sobs, sitting next to me.

"I know, I know" I say comforting her.

"I'm okay now though. It's been some time since my father hit me and my parents are going on a two week long business trip in a week" I say and I hear Mason suck in a sharp breathe.

"Mas, come here" I say embracing both him and Ellie in a hug.

"Come stay with us that week" Mason says trying to hold back the tears.

"I'll try" I say kissing his cheek.

"I really need to go guys" I say and Mason stops me.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow morning, you need to come to my football game tomorrow" He says and I look at him confused.

"Mas, um. You-you don't want to be seen with me. Plus football games aren't really my thing and Ellie's a cheerleader-" I start rambling but stop when I make eye contact with Mason.

I can see how bad he wants me there. So I give in.

"Yeah, okay. I'll be there. I'll tell my mom" I say taking a sharp breath in.

"I'll have my mom text her tomorrow" Mason says and I shake my head no.

"It will be even worse. Trust me. See you guys tomorrow" I say hugging them and running off to my car.

The car ride is two seconds long, not even. I brace myself seeing that both my parents cars are in the drive way.

"Leah, you're home early, come join us" My mother slurs out and my father ushers me over.

"Um, I-I have a lot of homework" I say making an excuse.

"Oh, and I'm going to a football game tomorrow" I say flinching as my father gets up.

"You can go if you have a couple beers with us" He says grabbing my arm.

"I-I'll go get them" I say running off to the kitchen.

I grab a couple of beers and go back to see a spot in between them. Shįt.

"Come sit, let's have fun" My mom says taking a swig out of her beer.

I hesitantly open it and take a small sip mentally cringing, realizing I'm going against my morals.

"Chug" My father says and I shake my head after the liquid burns down my throat.

"I need to go to the bathroom" I say walking into the kitchen and grabbing a cup. I pour some of the beer in there and a lot of water trying to make it a little better.

I go to the bathroom like I said I was going to and text Mason.

---------

{M-Mason L-Leah}

L-Hey Mason, just updating you. My parents are making me drink otherwise I can't go to your game.

M-Leah, don't do it. It's not worth it. Theres always other games.

L-No, I'm doing it. I need to go tomorrow. I'll text you soon.

---------

Mason has helped me so much and I know it would really mean a lot if I went and saw him play tomorrow. I just have to get one beer down.

I stare at the clear liquid flowing from the faucet. Then it hits me.

I quickly pour out some of the bitter liquid and unlock the door.

I quietly make my way back over to the couch and sit back down. "Wow, you drank a lot" My father says looking at my bottle.

"Yeah, I did" I say taking a long sip. I have to prevent myself from gagging, confused as to why I'm putting myself through this for a football game.

"I'm gonna take a nap" My mother says stumbling up the stairs.

"Yeah, I'm going to do my homework. Can I go to the game?" I say feeling a little dizzy.

"I guess. Finish that though" My father says walking out of the house.

"Drink it, now" My mother says staring at me and I quickly nod, chugging the alcoholic liquid.

"Good" She says and I grab my bag and run upstairs.

As soon as my door is closed and locked I lay in my bed, crying.

My whole life I've promised that I wasn't going to drink. I wasn't going to turn out like my parents. And I go and do it anyways. I was terrified to get hit, but that was worse. I had to bend my morals for a boy who has practically saved my life.

My ring tone blares out and I mentally cringe and quickly wipe my tears.

"Drink another bottle" My father says knocking on my door. I open it enough to grab the bottle from his hand and I take a sip.

"H-Hello?" I answer finally finding my phone.

"Leah, thank god. Are you okay?" He questions and I hold back my sobs.

"I lied to myself Mason" I say placing the beer bottle on my desk.

"Drink it bįtch" My mother screams causing me to jump.

"I-I am" I fake slur out. Hey, my parents are drunks, I know what it sounds like.

"Leah, I need to come get you" Mason says and I frown.

"I'm fine. I just need to drink one more bottle" I say forcing down another sip.

"No, you don't. Please don't. Don't let them control you like this. My game isn't worth it" Mason says, sounding tired.

"Come over at 9. My parents will be sleeping. My window will be open" I say ending the phone call and pouring the beer out my window.

"Wow" Ellie says staring at me, wiping her tears.

"What?" I say blinking the tears away, staring at Leah's retreating figure.

"You really like her" Ellie says and I just stare at her.

"Yeah, she's a great girl who doesn't deserve any of this" I say sitting next to her.

"No, Mas. I've never seen you like this. You seem so gentle around her. Like you don't ever want to hurt her or see her hurt. I've never seen you cry like that, never mind over a girl. You actually want her at one of your games. You really like her."

What's not to like?

She has a gorgeous body that she doesn't show off enough. He has such a huge passion for animals and horses and she's amazing with them. Her smile can light up a room even on a dark day. Her eyes light up when she sees Bella and something that she likes. Her hair is a perfect mixture of blonde and brown. She is the strongest person I have ever known. To think that she has lived with this for god knows how long and she still has such a positive outlook. I know I wouldn't be able to do it. She always knows all the right things to say, no matter what.

"Yeah Elle, I think I do"

Hey guys, so sorry for taking so long to update. It's been a stressful week and I've had lots of homework and assignments. I hope this pretty long chapter makes up for it! I tried to read through it a couple times just incase of any spelling mistakes but there still might be some. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Word count: 1677

~Leah