Hey, so I'm really sorry that this took like a year to get out. really, i didn't mean for that to take so long. I've just been busy with a lot of school stuff. so anyways, here is the next chapter, i hope you don't hate me for taking so long.

Have fun!

SECRET TIME

“Oh yea, sure,” Willow said happily. “Where do you live?”

“Next to the forest,” I responded as I pointed out my car to her. “I think it’s like Forest Drive or something.”

“Oh yea, okay. I know where that is; I live just a few blocks down from there,” She nodded as she climbed into the car.

“I haven’t cleaned up my suitcases or anything, so my room’s going to be really messy,” I warned her.

“That’s cool,” she responded. “My room’s a wreck. I don’t clean. Like ever.”

“So how do you know Evelyn and William?” Willow asked as we reached my driveway.

“Oh I met them a couple of days ago in the woods actually.” I laughed, “I just happened to run into William, and then Evelyn showed up.”

I thought against telling her I was really lost and he scared the living hell out of me.

“Oh,” She laughed slightly. “That’s a funny way to meet someone.”

I parked the car in front of the garage and stepped out.

“Yea.”

I rummaged around in my purse for the house key I knew had to be in there. Jonathon just gave it to me that morning.

“So…What’s Chicago like?” Willow asked after an awkward silence. “I’ve never been there.”

She took off her coat as we entered the house, and I motioned to her to hang it up on the hooks next to the door as I took of my boots.

I went straight to the living room, flopping down in front of the TV, turning it on a second later.

“It’s nice, I loved it,” I concentrated on changing the channels so as to not think too much about why I’d left Chicago. “It was loud, and there were people everywhere you turned, but I liked it better that way. It always made things more interesting.”

“So I guess this is a bit of a shock for you,” Willow gestured to the house and the outside. “I mean it’s just so small here considered to there. There’s not much to do.”

“But it’s probably nice, the quietness of the area, and there are no sirens constantly blaring down the road,” I looked over at her and smiled, “that must be nice.”

“Heh, yea that’s true. And the low crime rate is a plus also,” she laughed slightly.

And that’s how the rest of the day went. We talked some more about the city versus the country, then opted to watch a movie. It turned out we both had a secret love for Jake Gyllenhaal, and so voted on watching The Day After Tomorrow. It was easy hanging out with Willow. She wasn’t demanding, and hardly ever pressed me for information. This meant I didn’t have to worry about her bringing up any unwanted questions.

After a few hours, she left explaining how she’d really have to start on her homework.

“Do you want me to drive you home?” I asked, standing up from my chair and stretching.

“No that’s all right. I’ll just walk,” she answered as she shrugged on her coat and donned her snow boots.

“Are you sure? It’s rather cold out there.”

“Yea I’m good. I love to walk around at night. It’s so peaceful,” She smiled and pulled open the front door. “Bye.”

“See you later.”

I considered starting my homework, but the idea of watching TV until my mind went completely numb was so much more appealing.

“Ariana, what are you doing still down here?” Jonathon was suddenly next to me and gently shaking my shoulder.

I opened my eyes, noticing that the TV was off, and only the living room light was on, bathing the room in an orange glow. It was cold, and I wished I had a blanket.

“What? Where did you come from?” I looked around me, “What time is it?”

“I just got home from work, it’s eleven at night,” he responded, as he turned on a few more lights which caused me to wince.

“Oh,” I frowned, trying to think of when I fell asleep. I hadn’t thought I had, but I must have.

I stoop up and stretched, stifling a yawn.

“I guess I’ll get on up stairs and go to sleep then,” I mumbled as I trudged warily up the stairs.

“Yes, good night,” Jonathon said loudly as I got to my room.

I was worried about falling asleep, I didn’t want to have any more nightmares, but yet I was so tired. When I laid my head down on the pillow I was out.

The door squeaked ever so silently open. I wouldn’t have heard it if I wasn’t on edge fearing his return.

No, no, please no! I thought furiously, shrinking myself into the corner of the wall and the bed, trying to lie perfectly still under my sheets. Maybe if he couldn’t see me, he’d think I’d gone, I’d hoped feebly.

“I know you’re here pet,” he whispered menacingly. “You’re not going to keep me from it tonight.”

I could see his leer in my mind, and smell alcohol wafting off of him, filling every inch of my room with its stench.

Please God, I clamped my eyes shut, willing for him to disappear.

He stumbled closer to my bed, catching himself on my chair, making it scrape against the wood flooring.

“I want my treat, pet,” he growled, “and you’re not keeping it from me.”

He made his way to my bed, feeling the mattress with his rough hands. I could hear his breathing quicken the closer he came to me.

I wanted to die, right then and there. I wanted a quick way out of the hell I was in.

“No,” I squeaked out, pressing myself closer to the corner. “L-Leave me alone.”

“And what if I don’t?” he threatened with a chuckle. “What are you going to do? Scream for your mommy?”

I stared wide-eyed at him. He was right, I couldn’t do anything. I was completely defenseless. I needed to learn how to fight back.

He grabbed my covers and tore them off, leaving me with nothing but my long shirt and shorts to cover myself. I smashed my back into the wall, and wrapped my knees into my chest. I knew it wasn’t much use; it wouldn’t deter him, but it made me feel like I had some security.

He came closer to me—kneeling on my bed. I involuntarily shivered.

Please God, oh please.

“Come on now,” he latched on to my arm and tried to pry it away from my knees.

“Please,” I sobbed, unaware I’d ever started crying. I didn’t know what to do.

He unlatched my arms from their death grip around my legs and started pushing me back down onto the bed.

“No,” I said meekly. I didn’t know how to make him stop.

“Shut up,” he growled, smacking my face as he went for my shorts.

I knew what would follow if he pulled them down. There would be no hope. Without even thinking, I immediately brought my knee back up to my chest—surprising him for a moment—and struck a kick right into his crotch. He doubled over in pain, releasing his stance over me.

I clambered up from the bed and jumped off, landing awkwardly on my ankle. A searing pain shot through my foot, but I continued to hop towards the door. I thought that if I could just make it out, I might have a chance.

He righted himself quicker than I’d gambled though, and tackled me to the ground, pinning me under his weight. His knee had smashed right into my ankle when he’d brought me down.

“ARGH!” a blood curdling scream ripped through me as I first felt it crack then felt the shooting pain. As soon as I’d screamed, he’d clamped my mouth shut with one of his massive hands.

“Help!” I tried to scream through his hand.

He slapped me hard across the face, leaving a trail of blood near my lip.

“ARGH!!” I screamed again, hoping to wake my mother, but she was probably in a drunken stupor passed out on the floor. “No!!”

He started shaking me, saying Ariana over and over.

Wait, I thought, that’s not right.

I opened my eyes to find I was completely drenched in sweat and had kicked my blankets so much they were in a tangled up heap on top of my boxes and suitcases.

It was a nightmare, I told myself. Only a nightmare. He can’t ever hurt me again.

“Ariana, are you all right?” A voice said urgently.

I blinked, and looked up to find Jonathon holding my shoulders and looking extremely worried. His brow was furrowed, creating wrinkle lines on his forehead. His eyes bore into me, like he was trying to see the cause of my thrashing about written out clearly for him on my face. I instantly felt horrible for worrying him so much. He was a good man and didn’t deserve such a damaged daughter.

“I…er…” I didn’t know what to say.

“I heard you screaming,” he stated. “You were yelling pretty loudly.”

He released his hold on me, but continued to stare warily at me. He looked a little uncomfortable, like he didn’t know what to do in this situation. He just kept watching me.

After a moment, I realized I was probably supposed to be explaining. “I er, had a nightmare.” I shivered before I could stop myself. “I’m sorry.”

“Was it…was it of the accident?” he looked real uncomfortable now, but at least he was trying. He was trying to talk to me and make me feel better.

“No,” I sighed, pushing myself up on the bed. Though I almost wish it was the accident I’d had a nightmare about. “It-it was something else…”

“Oh,” he frowned, looking confused. Sitting down on my bed, he swept some hair out of my face, “well, what’s wrong sweetie?”

“N-nothing,” I mumbled weakly, staring at the bed. I didn’t want to tell him of Bob’s little side trips to my room. I didn’t want him knowing how weak and pathetic I really am. “I-it was just a n-nightmare.”

I tried to smile at him but it came out as more of a grimace.

“Well, er, all right then,” he padded my hand and stood up, heading for the door. “You know you can always talk to me. That’s what I’m here for. I’ll listen whenever you want me to.”

“Yea… all right,” I told him. I wasn’t really planning on it, but maybe someday I would.

“By the way,” he stuck is head back into my room, “it’s seven in the morning. So you better get ready for school.”

“Ugh,” I groaned and clambered out of my bed.

“So what’s up with you?” Evelyn asked at lunch as William and Willow joined us at the table. “You haven’t really talked for the past few weeks,”

My nightmare from almost a month ago was rattling my cage, threatening to seep back into my mind. I couldn’t concentrate on anything, especially when I came to school the next day. I wasn’t listening to anyone and was yelled at several times for ignoring directions the teachers had given me. Not to mention my eating habits drastically slowed. I couldn’t bring myself to eat much of anything. Whenever I did it just reminded me of what would have happened had Jonathon not shaken me awake. I wasn’t getting very much sleep either. I tried to sleep as little as humanly possible, and would only go to sleep in front of the TV because I found the noise helped me have less nightmares. A few times I’d woken up in my bed with the sheets all tucked around me; I figured Jonathon had something to do with that. I was worrying him more and more, I could see it in his face, but he didn’t know how to broach the subject again so he didn’t.

“Also,” Evelyn interrupted my thoughts, frowning. “What was that in English today?”

“Yea…” Willow agreed quietly, “that was odd.”

William just stared at me, noting that my hands were trembling ever so slightly. He seemed to be watching me a lot lately; both he and Evelyn were keeping close tabs on me ever since I had my nightmare it seemed like.

“I er…” I didn’t know what to say. During English class I sort of accidentally freaked out when Mr. Hubbard asked me a question.

I went into a long and very audible reason for why it wasn’t Betty’s fault women were targeted as witches. And it wasn’t her fault she had a screwed up family, and her life wasn’t in her control. That it was instead, dominated by all the men that surrounded her, and she had no say in it. I just kept rambling on until Willow tugged at my shirt sleeve and I noticed with horror every student was staring at me with worried and frightened expressions like they thought I was going mad, and would have to be taken away in a straight jacket.

A boy with a shock of red hair turned to his friend and mumbled, “Maybe she really did come from the crazy house.”

I flushed bright red, and sat down, refusing to look up from my textbook. Not even when the bell rang and everyone rushed out.

“Well,” Evelyn repeated, watching me from across the lunch table.

“I…er…haven’t been sleeping well,” I lamely answered.

“Well yea, the way you fall--” she stopped short, when William gave her an almost invisible shake of his head. “The way you fall all over the place around here…it’s no wonder.”

I got the feeling that wasn’t at all what she was about to say.

“But that’s still a bullshit answer,” she rested her elbows on the table, moving her mashed potatoes around with a fork but never actually eating them.

“Eve, that’s a bit harsh,” William jumped in, switching his gaze to her for a moment then back to me. “But you need to eat more. Here.”

He pushed his tray of fries and a cheeseburger towards me. I stared at it debating whether or not it was such a good idea to eat it. Finally I decided that I should probably eat it, I was pretty hungry after all.

“No,” Evelyn picked right back up with the argument, scrutinizing my every move. “That is a load of bull. So out with it, what’s bothering you?”

“I--” I couldn’t think of anything, so instead of answering I just took a huge bite of the cheeseburger.

Suddenly the bell went off, signaling the end of the period.

“Saved by the bell,” Evelyn teased, but the lighthearted tease didn’t make it to her eyes. “Don’t think I won’t stop asking.”

She smiled widely at me, and jumped up from her seat to throw away her lunch which she never did touch. Something about her smile unnerved me. It was mildly disconcerting.

“Yea,” I mumbled, lagging behind the three, “and don’t think I’ll tell you”

She turned around from the steps of the cafeteria and frowned at me.

The rest of the day went by in the same fashion. I didn’t really talk to anyone, and kept my head low. In Gym, I’d help William with the volleyball, but only if it was near me. Otherwise I’d make him run for it, something that he didn’t actually seem to mind. In Chemistry Willow did everything and I just wrote down whatever she said to. It worked out perfectly because I didn’t have to ever talk. By now the entire school had heard of my episode in English, and was whispering behind shielded hands. A few students deliberately stood in my way to see if I’d attack them. I came to a standstill in the hallway when to large guys, who looked like they played on the football team, were standing in front of me laughing. I was frozen, unable to move.

“Get out of the way,” William growled at them.

I couldn’t say anything; I just looked up at them, completely terrified. The last time someone this large had blocked my path, it was…

“Oh are you shaking?” The big guy with a crew cut said with mock concern, earning him a bark of laughter from his crony.

William turned quickly to look at me and confusion flit across his face for a second before he glared back at them. “Get. Out. Of. The. Way. Brian.”

“What’s wrong with your little girlfriend Harris?” Brian stepped closer to me; I involuntarily shrank back, and clung onto William’s arm tightly. He glanced at me for a moment, and then turned back to Brian.

“Move before I make you move,” he said so low, I hardly heard him.

“Or before I kick your ass,” Evelyn bounced up towards me, standing on my other side. Willow was just behind us, watching the ordeal, as were about half the students in the school I realized. “Sorry I hadn’t come earlier to join this little powwow, but I had to visit the lady’s room,” She smiled her unnerving smile, “I know how much you hate to fight William, so I’ll do it for you.”

She took a few steps, so she was only a few inches away from Brian, and stared up at him, still smiling. “Now, do you really want to be showed up by me in such a public area? Because we both know who will come out the victor in this situation,” she looked positively evil, and the fact she was still smiling as she said it made her look even more demonic.

Brian faltered for a moment, then took a step back, motioning for his crony to follow, “Later Harris.”

“You know I really would have loved to beat that guy up,” Evelyn pouted. “I don’t know why you’re so against violence Will, it can be quite useful. Really.”

William chuckled, “yes well, maybe for you,” he looked down at me, “are you all right?”

I realized I was still clinging onto his arm for dear life. I immediately broke off, and stared at the ground. “Yea…”

“You looked like you completely froze up,” he pressed, watching my reaction. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

“I’m fine, really,” I smiled slightly.

“That was pretty sweet though Evelyn,” Willow laughed. “He’s totally frightened of you!”

Evelyn just gave a grin in response.

Finally all of my classes were over, and I quickly jumped out of my seat and rushed out of my American History class. I wasn’t about to be stopped by Mr. Ringa again. I didn’t need anymore awkward situations today.

“Hey what are you doing today?” Evelyn immediately asked once we were all outside in the freezing parking lot.

“Nothing,” I replied eyeing her suspiciously. She was trying something, I knew it. “Why?”

She smiled innocently, “I thought we could all hang out, and maybe have a sleepover tonight.”

“I can’t,” Willow said as she pulled her winter coat closer, hoping to increase the warmth. “I’ve got to watch my little brother this weekend. My parents went on a business trip.”

“Oh, well how about you Will?” Evelyn turned her full gaze on her brother. “You don’t have anything to do.” A small smile twitched at the corner of her lips.

“Sorry Eve, but I have to help dad at the hospital,” the corners of his lips twitched upward. “Besides, I wouldn’t want to interrupt any girl time.”

I had a feeling Evelyn knew it would only be the two of us when she had initially asked. Damn it. Well played, I thought.

“Oh well, I guess it’ll just be us then,” her smile brightened, lighting up her entire face. “I haven’t had a sleepover in Forever! This’ll be fun!”

William stifled a laugh as he turned for his car.

Ten minutes later we were shaking off our winter clothes and sitting in front of the TV.

“So what’s bugging you?” She sat facing me, watching my every movement like a hawk. “And don’t say nothing, because I know there’s something. Does it have to do with your mom?”

“I—yea,” I picked up the lie. “I was…was just--”

“No never mind. That’s wrong, ‘cause you’re lying,” she frowned in concentration. “Hmm…”

“No, I’m not lying,” I tried to tell her, but she saw through it and waved at me to stop.

“Does this have to do with you mother’s ‘nothing’ that made you want to go out and learn how to defend yourself?”

“What?” I blinked. I hadn’t expected that.

How did she leap to that conclusion? That’s a pretty out of nowhere question.

I could only sit there in shock, as she watched expressions flit across my face. Something in my reaction must have confirmed her suspicions. She nodded to herself and frowned.

“That’s what I thought.”

“No it’s—it’s not what you think…” I was scrambling to cover it up before her quick mind picked up more. “It’s just—just—“

“What do I think?” She asked slowly, watching me with heavy eyes.

“I—I don’t know,” I answered meekly, staring at my hands in my lap; the same hands that had been bound countless times to keep them out of the way. “But it’s—it’s n-not my mother. She didn’t beat me if that’s what you’re thinking.”

I wanted to stop talking about this, to put it away into a vault and never think about it again. But at the same time, I felt this urge to confine in Evelyn. I felt if I opened up to her, it might help me get past it. Either way, I felt I needed her to know it wasn’t my mother. I don’t know why I had an urge to clear my mother’s name, especially since it was her I blamed for letting it happen, but I just needed Evelyn to know. Maybe it was because she was dead, and I didn’t want her name to go through anymore mud. I don’t know.

“I know,” Evelyn responded quietly. “I know it wasn’t your mom.”

“How--” I shook my head, trying to make since of what was happening. My worst secret, one I try to make myself never think about, was starting to suddenly unravel. Evelyn was bringing it out of me. How could this happen?

“I’ve been watching you,” she said, staring fixedly at the ground. “I’ve notice a few things, a few things I don’t think even you notice you’re doing.” She looked up at me, “you shy away from guys if they come to close to you, like in the hallway and stuff, you involuntarily back away, trying to find a new path. The only exception is William. You don’t stay away from him or anything.”

“I-I-” I stuttered, “What are y-you saying?”

I held my breath, half of me hoping she wouldn’t guess correctly, the other half hoping she would. I was becoming tired of the secret weighing on me constantly, and was warming up to the idea of being able to talk to her. But I was still worried she’d be revolted by me, she wouldn’t want to be my friend anymore. I feared, however irrational, she’d find me completely disgusting, and blame me for what happened. She might call me a whore, and tell me I was begging for it, just like he did, I thought. But a smaller voice inside thought, she might help me.

“I think you’ve already realized what I’m saying,” she said quietly, as she came over to my chair, perching on the arm. She took my hand, “I wasn’t completely sure until this afternoon in the hallway with Brian, but I’d figured it out a little while ago,” she gave my hand a little squeeze; “you were terrorized every night, and for six months. It would have had to been your mothers boyfriend.”

She did hear me, I thought. She heard me say that my first day of school after the fight with Melinda.

I stared at her, dimly aware of the tears that were streaming down my cheeks. She pieced it all together.

“No,” I croaked out in a sob. “N-no way. H-how d-d-did you…”

I couldn’t bring myself to finish the sentence, she’d figured it out.

“I pay attention,” she whispered, leaning in to pull me towards her.

That's it. i hope you all have a nice morning, afternoon, or night, depending on where you live!

oh, thank you to those of you who have reviewed in the past, and stuck with it. thanks a bunch!