Torn

CALLIE'S POINT OF VIEW

"Why can't we just call CPS?" Calum asks. He's sitting next to me on his bed, playing with my fingers. He wouldn't understand it, and I don't expect him to. Calling CPS would probably end up with me in juvie. Let's just say I did some things I shouldn't have done.

"Because if we do that, everything will get worse." I shrug. How am I supposed to explain it further than that?

"I'm scared something worse will happen." He pouts out his bottom lip. Of course he is. We haven't declared what specifically we are, but either way, we're best friends. Things are already happening anyway, he just doesn't know that. I don't want him to know either, he'll just be more worried for me. I'm not happy. If he knows that, things will be different with him. He'll be nicer to me, and more gentle with me, and with HIM i don't want that.

I shrug. "I'm okay." I lie. Why is it it's easier to lie than tell the truth? Probably because in this situation telling the truth means making me vulnerable.

CALUM'S POINT OF VIEW

Why is she lying to me? I know she's not okay, it's obvious she's not okay. She has bruises all over her body, her smiles are never as genuine anymore, she's always at my house (not that I'm complaining) because she's scared of her own. She hasn't even fixed the color in her hair yet, which for Callie is weird and unusual as hell.

"Okay." I nod slowly. Just talk to me babe. "So when are we gonna re dye your hair?"

"We?" She smiles for real.

"Duh." I smile.

"Friday? Two days from now?" She suggests. I nod. "Okay great," She pecks my lips, "I have to go."

"You'll text me tonight, right?" She nods and smiles.

CALLIE'S POINT OF VIEW

When I get to my house, I lower my head and try walking straight to my room. Keyword: Try.

"And where do you think you're going?" Jonathan asks from behind me. I huff, and turn around to face him.

"My room."

"Why were you late?" He crosses his arms.

"I- I was three minutes late?" I frown.

"I needed you to be home on time." He shouts. I bite the inside of my lip.

"Sorry."

"Sorry? Where were you, anyway? With that little snitch next door?" This time, I didn't even see it coming when he slapped me in the face. Lately I've adapted to the pain, and how they treat me. When he tries insulting Calum, though.

"I," I speak strongly, like he could never inflict pain on me, "was with Calum, my best friend. He saved my life, he isn't a fucking snitch."

"Are you talking back to me?" He yells.

"Yeah, what're you going to do about it?" I cross my arms. See, this is the Callie I know. The one who fights back even when she shouldn't.

He punches me in the face, making my nose bleed. I tap it with my fingers, the blood spilling onto them. I suddenly start laughing. I have no idea what I'm doing. "What are you laughing about, bitch?" He snaps.

"Why did I let you control me for so long." I mumble, smiling at the blood on my fingers. He hits me again. I laugh harder. Have I finally gone crazy?! E kicks me in the gut. I giggle. He slaps me. I crack up laughing. "Can I go to my room now?" I ask. He huffs, and I take that moment to limp to my room and lock the door. I grab my phone.

Me: we should dye my hair red.
Calum: okay, why?
Me: it's the color of power.
Calum: god I love you

Notes