~Matt to the side~

The car ride home was quiet, but not awkward. It was pleasant. Plus, I would not welcome noise with my head hurting like this. As we near home, Matt looks at me and speaks. "Stay at mine tonight. I can't have you back at that mad house."

"Matt, I can't do that. I don't want to be a burden. If I don't come home tonight, I'll be in even more trouble." I start to get nervous. I don't want to go home but I know I would get in trouble if I didn't.

"I'll deal with them, but tonight, please stay with me so I can make sure you're safe." He begs.

The thought of being somewhere I felt safe just for one night was too much to turn down. Slowly, I nod my head.

****

Matt unlocks the door to his house. It turns out he only lives around the corner from me.

His house is modernly decorated but It had the odd older element. The entire house is light and airy.

What catches my attention is the book shelves that line one whole wall from the ceiling to floor, bursting with books. "Go and have a look if you want." He chuckles. I take off to the book shelf and scower it, looking for books I want to read.

About thirty minutes later, Matt calls me into the kitchen. " I imagine you're not that hungry but you need to eat something." On the table is a bowl of tomato soup. I grin as much as I can.

"Thank you, Matt. This really all means a lot." I sit down at the white table and start to eat the soup.

Matt sits opposite me and starts to slurp at his own. "So, Jess. If you don't mind me asking. How long has you're father been like this?" I visibly freeze at his question.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked. It's none of my business. " He quickly adds.

"No, it's fine. Um. Since my mum's mum died. My Grandma. Mum drank away the pain. She still does. And my dad beats me. My grandma died when I was nine... so for about nine years." My eyes glaze over with tears and a few roll down my cheeks. Matt gets up and crouches down in front of me.

He places a firm hand on my shoulder. "You're safe now." He whispers.

"Thank you so much Matt. Thank you." I whisper.

"Why don't we watch a film or something? " He asks. "Any particular favourites? "

"A horror film. " I say, nodding my head slightly.

I sit on the sofa waiting for Matt as he puts 'Insidious' on the TV. To my surprise, he sits next to me and puts his arm around me. The film starts and I press myself into his side, careful not to let the side of my face touch any thing.

Half way through the film, one bit makes me jump so much that I end up more or less on Matt's knee.

"Whoops, sorry. " I laugh, a little embarrassed as I wriggle of of him.

"Don't worry about it, Love. " He says with a slight chuckle, pulling me into him again. He's so sweet.

I've never been as grateful as I am now.