Devon's POV-
“Earth to D!” I hear my lifelong best friendSidney call out. I take the time to shake the nasty memories out of my mind. It's been a month since that awful night where my father violated me but I was never able to bring myself to letSidney know of the abuse I suffered. I knew thatSidney thought it odd that our sleepovers had become more frequent over the last few weeks but she didn't seem to mind. I knew, however, that her parents would eventually start to ask questions if I didn't come clean.
“Sorry, lots on my mind before finals.” I tell her. “So, what are we doing tonight?” It was Friday and I knew that I wasn't heading back home; not if I could help it.
“My parents are out of town. Dad said he was taking Mom to some kind of spa retreat for a second honeymoon.” She announced. “So I guess that leaves us with a whole lot of possibilities.” I was excited. For once, I didn't have to worry about Mr. and Mrs. Donitelli wondering why I was there for the third straight weekend and fifth day this week. At some point, I knew someone was bound to ask questions. After last night, I sure as hell wasn't going back home for the weekend.
He had come after me in a drunken stupor as I was cooking myself dinner. I had made up my mind that this all had to stop. I figured, I had to at least try to get him to stop without resorting to authorities and so forth. I have enough on my mind that I don't need to deal with the stigma of having my 'dirty laundry' aired for everyone to see. As a result of me finally standing up for myself, I ended up with my first punishment. He beat me enough to make me blackout from the pain but light enough so I didn't need any medical help. The bastard made sure I was able to cover up the bruises.
I winced internally as I got out of the car. I couldn't get past the look of my bruises as I had peered at myself in my body-length mirror this morning while getting dressed. My ribs hurt like hell but aside from these injuries, I still never escaped his sexual wrath. He only took what he needed from me in a far more violent and dirty fashion. Violently forceful enough to the point that I felt like my insides were about to be torn to shreds. I shuddered at the memory.
Sidney's POV-
I was so glad that I had someone to spend the weekend with other than just dear old Shane. Shane's my older brother by almost three years. He was getting back from his second year of college to spend the summer months, interning at Dad's law firm. Despite the fact that he drives me up the wall, on the best of days, I love him to death. He's always had my back when I needed it.
Getting back to Devon, we met when we were five, on our first day of school. I had fallen off the jungle gym during our playtime and she rushed over to me, gave my scraped knees a kiss and helped me up so I could go to the office and get bandaged. Ever since that day, I knew I had a friend for life. We had been through a lot together. We shared everything; we were inseparable. Heck, she was like the sister I never had; I love her like one. Mom and Dad loved her instantly but they always seemed on edge when her parents were around. I remember the day when I showed up at Devon's for a play date and found her curled up in her closet, crying because her mother had run off and left both her and her father. I felt so bad for her. To this day, I still can't help but wonder how she's never had to get past any abandonment issues and that she manages to still be standing as solid as she did today. She was the ultimate pillar of strength to me. Just like that day back when we were five.
We sat together, at the back of our Chemistry class. I seriously couldn't wait until the day was done and over with. It was such a hot day today that all I wanted to do was sit by the pool, chill and daydream about Tony, my latest crush; I wanted to laugh and forget about the upcoming finals.
Devon's POV-
When English class ended, I was relieved that another week had come and gone at Fisher High. Next week was a review week for our finals. I was glad because if I wanted to cut class, no one would harass me about it. Sidney and I found ourselves in her car with the sunroof open, the windows down and the music cranked to one of my old-time favourites, Gavin Degraw's I Don't Want to Be. Suddenly, I notice Tony and Jarred walking towards our ride and I look atSidney with a sly smile. She reached for the volume dial and tapped it to mute the tunes.
“Hey ladies.” Tony said as he bent over on the driver side, beside Sidney. I laughed as I noticed her signature eyelash batting and sexy grin.
“Hey Tony.” I say as I give Jarred a quick wave as he looked into the car from behind Tony.
“What are you girls up to this weekend?” He asked, looking at Sidney. I watched his eyes as they trailed from her face, to her legs and followed her bare skin. I couldn't help but shiver. Relax, it's not Dad. Thank God it's not Dad and thank God he's not eyeing you. I tell myself.
“Spending some quality time by the pool while my parents are out of town.” Sidney explained. “You guys should drop by tomorrow if you'd like.” I looked away and couldn't help but let my eyes roll into the back of my head. Then again, I had to remind myself that this would be what I would of wanted to be doing had my father never ruined my life. All I wanted was to be normal again, to be free, to enjoy my teenage life, or what was left of it but instead, I've been ruined, reduced to a piece of ass for my father's pleasure and striped of my innocence.
“Sounds like we'll be seeing you ladies tomorrow after lunch.” Tony announced. And like that, we had a date with two of the hottest guys in school. The star receiver and his quarterback. Any girl would give anything to be us right about now.
We ended up at Sidney's house, waiting on our pizza delivery for dinner when Shane came through the door.
“Sid! Come here baby girl!” He opened his arms to her as Sid ran and jumped in his arms for a bear hug. I found myself giggling. It was nice to see the love this family had for one another. “Devon, it's good to see you.” He walked up to me and gave me a quick hug. I felt a tingle run through me as I took in his sweet smell. What was that? I suddenly felt my stomach flutter. “You ladies look great! I can't believe it's been two years D!” He looked at me and as my mouth ran dry, I found myself nodding in agreement as I took in his jet black hair that he shared with his sister and those wonderfully bluish-purple coloured eyes of his.
Shane's POV-
Wow, Devon looked hot! I couldn't believe that two years would do that much to a person. Her strawberry blonde hair curled lightly at the tips, running down to the middle of her back and her emerald green eyes sparkled as our eyes met. She was simply beautiful! I kept wondering why I hadn't noticed her that much before. Dude, she's like your sister! Was what ran through my mind which in truth, that's what got me to brush my thoughts aside in the past but now, the surge of electricity I felt when I hugged her, somehow I couldn't ignore.
I headed upstairs to drop my bags off in my old room. I couldn't help but laugh that it still looked as I had last left it. I let myself fall to my bed and closed my eyes. I heard the doorbell but I chose to ignore it. A few minutes later, I heard a soft knock and lifted my head to find Devon standing in my doorway.
“Pizza's here if you want some.” And she turned to head back downstairs. I got up and followed her. I found both girls, sitting at the island bar chatting about what movie to rent later that evening. I rolled my eyes at Sid's chick flick suggestions and couldn't help but notice that Devon didn't seem all that interested in that theme either.
“I'm thinking comedy. How about The Hangover and The Hangover 2?” Devon mentions.
“I'm with D.” I agree.
“It's not like you'll be around to watch them with us.” Sidney tells me. I smirked. “Don't you have anything else better to do?”
“Sid!” Devon interjects.
“What?” My sister looked at her.
“It's alright.” I say. “I've got other things I need to be doing anyhow.” And I walk back upstairs with my plateful of pizza.
“Have fun, dork!” Sid calls out after me.
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