Only one week left. That's all I had before someone other than myself decided the rest of my life. I felt completely useless not really having a say in what was to come with my life, though it wasn't much different from what it used to be. The only difference was my father was planning my old life and a judge was about to plan my new one. I was ready, but I was scared.

After the little moment Skyler and I had shared in the hallway at the hospital last week it seemed as if things were going a lot better between us than I had expected. We've talked every day since then.

I could feel the confidence she once had in herself begin to return with every conversation we had. Because that's what abusers did, they beat down the confidence in a person to make it seem like they needed to rely on someone else to get by, which is what kept the person going back. And Skyler had been pummeled into the ground for so long, that now it was amazing to feel the hope that radiated off of her. It felt good to know that one day in the future Skyler could rid herself of her boyfriend and let me finally have my shot.

Skyler kept my mind busy from everything else going on even though she had no idea she was doing it. I hated the fact that she didn't know about anything, but I would hate it even more if she knew. And she'd hate me right back.

"Mom?" I sat up on the counter across from where she was preparing lunch. "Is dad coming to my trial?"

My mother's petite frame froze at my question, her back facing me. She then proceeded to place the sandwich she had just finished making onto a plate and turned to hand it to me. "I'm not sure. He's been very busy lately, you know."

"Right." I looked down at the sandwich in my hands not feeling very hungry anymore. "He hates me, doesn't he?"

"Oh, honey..." My mother shook her head and put a reassuring hand on my knee. "He doesn't hate you. Why would you think that?"

"I heard you guys talking," I mumbled and she pulled her hand away from me like I had just burned her.

"He didn't mean what he said," She paused in thought. "He's just as worried for you as I am."

With that she turned back to make her own lunch. I took a bite of my food before I set the plate aside on the counter next to me. He was worried, huh? Worried that if I went to jail it would ruin his image? Worried that everyone would see him as the fuck up for raising someone as horrible as me? Or was she telling to the truth and he really was concerned for my well-being. I didn't know. After all the shit he's put me through since birth I wasn't sure if I even cared anymore.

I hopped off the counter and headed up the stairs to my room. I could hear my phone buzzing loudly and a smile immediately appeared on my face as I knew exactly who was calling.

"Good afternoon, Sky-"

"Just stop yelling!" Her voice was muffled and my eyebrows knitted together in confusion, and sudden panic, as I pressed the phone closer to my ear.

"Don't you fucking tell me what to do, Skyler!"

I knew that voice. It was Jacob. Had she accidentally called me? Or had it been on purpose? My heart started to pound as there was more interference over the phone. What should I do? I paced my room, biting nervously as my thumb nail as I listened closely.

"Do you really expect me to believe that bullshit," Jacob seethed. "You're such a fucking liar!"

"No," She paused. "Listen, nothing is happening. I wouldn't do that, I promise!"

Her voice shook with fear as the argument continued and I stood there in the middle of my room unable to move. Why was I just standing here? Was I really going to allow her to get hurt again? I couldn't. I wouldn't let it happen.

A yelp came through the speaker before I heard a sob leave Skyler's lips.

I could hear the muffled sounds of footsteps before Jacob's voice spoke in a low menacing tone. "Then tell me how much you love me."

I felt the need to throw up. Not being able to see her and only hearing the sounds of what could possibly be happening was about to drive me insane. I hung up the phone unable to listen anymore after his sick demand and headed out of my room and bounded down the stairs.

"Are you okay?" My mother sounded confused, but I didn't even bother to answer her question as I stormed out of the house.

There was no way I was going to let this happen again. Not now. Not ever. I sped down the street, careful to keep an eye out for any cops that might be on patrol in the area. I really didn't need to be pulled over at a time like this.

It took only ten minutes to get from my house to where Skyler lived. I threw open my car door and practically ran up the driveway, but as I got to the front door I let my hand hover over the handle, straining my ears for any sounds coming from inside. It was dead silent and that sacred me even more.

My fist hit to wood surface repeatedly and before it could come down on the door one more time, it flew open. The glare on my face was set on Jacob as I grabbed the front of his shirt and forced him back into the house.

"Where the fuck is she?!" I yelled, the surprised look on his face made it obvious that he wasn't prepared to have me come anywhere near him after his little threat, but I didn't care anymore. Skyler's safety was way more important than my happiness.

A twisted smirk appeared on his face as he held a finger up as if to signal something. "Skyler! Get out here!"

My grip on his collar tightened, my jaw clenched. I didn't know what to expect next and as she came around a corner I felt my blood start to boil. She put pressure on her bruised cheek with the back of her hand, her eyes on the ground. She had no idea I was here because she refused to look up toward the man that scared the living shit out of her.

I tore my eyes from her as Jacob spoke up matter-of-factly. "See Calum, she's fine."

I growled at him but before I could say anything it was Skyler's turn to speak. "W-what are you doing here?"

"I told you..." I refused to look away from the guy I still had tightly gripped by the collar. "I wasn't going to let anything happen to you again."

"Well it did happen."

My body went limp at her words. I didn't even react when Jacob laughed right in my face, shaking me off and walking toward his girlfriend. I was defeated and she was right. It had happened again, but I was here this time. I rolled my shoulders back and stood tall, finally regaining back the confidence she had deflated me of.

"What did you think, Calum?" Jacob smirked, my eyes trailing after him. His arm draped itself over Skyler's shoulders and I could see her flinch at just that simple touch and it made me want to rip that arm right off.

"Did you think you could just come here and she'd fall into your arms?" He laughed as he pulled Skyler into his side and I took a step toward them. "That's not going to happen because she loves me."

"She doesn't love you," My voice began to rise as my hands balled into fist at my sides. "She's fucking scared shitless of you!"

Jacob turned his head to look down at Skyler as he leaned toward her trembling body. "Do you know what's funny about that statement?"

Skyler gulped as she glanced my way and I instantly knew what was coming next. He voice pulled her attention back to him as he continued. "If you knew what he's done, you'd be scared shitless of him too."

I eyes squeezed shut as I stood in the middle of their living room. My entire body was on fire and I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes to see what Skyler's reaction could be.

"W-what are you talking about?" She finally spoke up, her voice now more confused than scared.

"Do you want to tell her, Calum?" My eyes finally opened and I stared between the two of them completely helpless. This was it, I was about to lose Skyler all together.

"No?" That devilish grin never left Jacob's lips. Oh how he must loved to ruin other people's lives.

"What is he talking about?" She turned to look at me as she took a step away from both of us, but I couldn't bring myself to say anything.

"You think this kid is your savior?" Jacob laughed at her. "Don't know how he'll do you much good since he'll probably be going to jail pretty soon."

"W-what?" She stuttered out again. I could see her eyes were glassy and finally I found the courage to walk over to where they stood.

"Don't listen to him!" I spoke frantically. "I'd never do that to you."

"Do what?" She cried and it was the first time I saw fear in her eyes and it was only pointed in my direction.

"He almost beat someone to death, Skyler."

My anger got the better of me and I once again grabbed hold of his shirt and forced him back against the closest wall. "Fuck you."

He only smirked, because he knew I wouldn't do anything to him. As much as I wanted to, if I laid a hand on him I would surely go to jail and along with that lose Skyler forever. I couldn't have that.

"He's lying, right?" I pulled away from Jacob and turned back to Skyler to see tears falling from her wide eyes.

My breathing was unhinged as I stared at her confused and fearful expression. I felt helpless. I couldn't lie anymore. I couldn't do anything. There was no coming back from this.

"No." I shook my head in response. "He's not lying."

A quiet sob escaped her lips as she covered her face with her hands. I hated myself for being the person who caused this pain. I was now no better than Jacob in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I should have told you from the beginning."

Skyler cried hard as I took a weary step toward her, totally forgetting that Jacob was watching from a safe distance. He most certainly loved ruining people's lives because this was mine shattering right before my eyes.

"Don't touch me!" She yelped in fright as my fingers barely grazed the skin on her arm.

"Sky-"

"No!" She shook her head as more tears fell from her eyes. "I trusted you."

"You still can," My voice was strained. "Please."

"I want you to go." Her voice was hardly above a whisper.

"I'm not leaving you here with him." I took another step toward her.

"Just go, Calum!" Skyler's voice cracked as she stared up at me and I could see that this was killing her just as much as it was me. "Please, just go."

I took one more step toward her, our bodies only inches apart and to my surprise she didn't move from her spot. I leaned down toward her, tears stinging my own eyes as I forced them back.

"I would never do something like that to you." My voice was low."Not after all you've been through. Not ever."

Skyler turned her head away from me, obviously not wanting to hear what I had to say and I completely understood that. Why would she want to be with someone who had already hurt someone else?

I took a shaky breath before I spoke one final time. "Goodbye, Skyler."

My feet carried me from their living room and out the front door, back down the porch steps and across the driveway. I didn't look back. She was crushed with the news of my violent past and I could only assume now that I would never see her again.

My body slumped back in the driver's seat of my car as I closed the door behind me. The silence that surrounded me was ear piecing and after a long moment of the deafening sound I let out a pained cry, slamming my hands against the stirring wheel. My fingers tightened around it as I let my head hang, the tears from earlier finally escaping me.