Author's note: if you're easily triggered skip this chapter.
Amelia's POV
I wake up feeling even more tired than before. I keep dreaming about fires and being lost in the middle of nowhere.
My bed still smells like Milo's cologne, it's comforting and irritating at the same time. Almost as if he were laying right next to me every night.
Since today is Saturday, I'm heading over to Braden's house. He asked a couple days ago if I wanted to hang out so I agreed.
I take a quick shower and flat iron my hair, parting it in the middle. I brush my eyebrows and put on some eyeliner and highlighter to make it look like I'm not dead inside.
I unwrap the towel from myself and grab my red bra from the dresser. I look for the matching panties but I can't find them. Maybe it's in the dirty laundry. I shrug it off and grab the first one I saw.
I put my black tank top on and an oversized blue jean shirt. I slide some high waisted jeans on and slip my black vans on. I look myself over as I apply some lip gloss. I still look dead.
"Mom I'm gonna head over to Braden's." I say as I grab my keys from the hook.
"You don't want any breakfast first?" She asks looking up from the TV.
"I'll get something over there."
"Alright have fun if I'm not here when you get back I'll be home late."
"Where are you going?"
"I have a date." She smiles.
"You just weren't going to tell me?"
"I would have eventually, I know it's a sensitive topic." She reasons.
"As long as he treats you right. Will I ever meet him?"
"If tonight goes well, maybe."
"Can I at least know his name?"
"His name is Michael."
"Alright you have fun too then." I wave and close the door behind me.
I drive over to Braden's house with the speakers blasting Lana Del Rey. I sing along all the way there.
I park in front of his house and notice Milo's car parked in front of mine.
What is he doing here?
I argue with myself on whether or not I should leave. I take a deep breath and get out of the car. I ring the door bell and play with my chipped nail polish while I wait.
"Hey Mel." He smirks as he opens the door with no shirt and his curly hair a mess. His voice was much deeper and croaky, letting me know he just woke up.
My weakness.
He slides aside so I could walk in. He shuts the door and turns to wrap his arms around me. I snuggle into him as he kisses my forehead.
"Good morning." Another raspy voice says as we pull away from each other.
I look over and see Milo walking down stairs with no shirt and messy hair. His sweatpants hung low on his hips as he walked.
"Hi." I squeak. "What is he doing here?" I turn to whisper at Braden.
"He needs a place to stay." He gives me an apologetic look as I pout.
"Why?"
"It's kind of personal, not my place to say."
"Oh okay." I nod and we join him in the kitchen.
"Milo if you don't mind me asking but why are you staying here?"
He quickly looks up at Braden before his eyes fall to me.
"I just don't want to be home." He scoffs.
"I didn't mean to upset you."
"It's whatever can we just eat."
I look up at Braden for some kind of explanation but only get a sympathetic smile while he rubs my back.
"I don't feel like cooking so we're eating cereal." He grabs the milk out of his fridge and places some bowls out for us.
We all eat silently while we watch Friends. I sat in between the two boys on the couch, constantly feeling both boys look at me. After we finished, they finally showered and got dressed.
"Can I talk to you?" Milo spoke up.
"Me?" I ask.
"Yes."
"I'll give you some space, I'll be in my room." Braden stands from the couch leaving me alone with the pale boy.
"Only two more weeks." He mumbles.
"Milo." I warn.
"Sorry I'll stop."
"What do you want to tell me?"
"If I told you I was even more damaged would that risk the month thing?"
"What are you talking about?"
"If I told you I was weak would you never talk to me again?" He looks over at me while messing with his fingers.
"No, never. Milo what happened you're scaring me."
"He...he hurt me, he hurt me bad Amelia." His anger turned into sadness.
"Who?"
"My step dad."
My heart dropped into my stomach.
"Did he hit you?"
He nods and places his lip between his teeth.
"Did you fight back?"
"One time I did but that just made it worse."
"Worse?" I take a hard swallow waiting for him to continue.
"He came into my room." His eyes tear up and he clenches his jaw.
He didn't need to finish, I put the pieces together.
"Did he..."
"No my mom woke up and he left. He just...touched me." He cringes.
"Milo I had no idea." I wrap my arms around his naked shoulders and he clutches onto my shirt.
"I didn't want you to know. I was tired of hiding though."
"How long have you been here?"
"This is my third day."
"You need to tell the police."
"I can't, if they go to the house my mom and I could could be arrested too."
"For what?"
He stays silent for a moment and takes a deep breath.
"Milo, why would you guys go to jail?"
"M-murder."
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Author's note: if you are someone who thinks that guys can't get assaulted because they are "strong enough to fight back" then fuck you. Sorry if that was harsh but close minded people upset me. It can happen to anyone. Ok rant over.