“Oh!” Lily glanced up at the clock, realizing that her mom would be home within a matter of minutes. I can’t face her. Not now.

Quickly, she assembled the room back into order as best as she could, left a note on the table, changed her mind and took the note with her, and left.

The evening air was brisk, and bit against her skin. She had changed into a long sleeved shirt to hide the bruises, but still was wearing the ripped jeans. She wasn’t sure where she was going; just sure that she needed to get out of the house. It was only when she saw the small, peach colored house that she knew where she was.

Anna opened the door before Lily even had a chance to knock. She took one look at her best friend and led her inside. “Oh my god, Lily! What happened?”

That was all it took. Everything came pouring out, and when she was finished, Anna just held her. “Oh, Lily.”

Abruptly the phone rang. “Lily? It’s for you. It’s- him. He says he wants to talk to you.”

Against her better judgment, she reached for the phone.