(these songs fit with the next chapter-just saying. enjoy x)

SONG(s) FOR CHAPTER:

♬ Hold On by Selena Gomez & Ben Kweller ♬

♬ Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down ♬

CHAPTER 17

❀ GRACE WALKER ❀

SUDDENLY WHEN WE pulled into dirt driveway, it became clear why the old woman was old-fashioned and the old man was so critical. Evan had truly meant it when he informed me they lived on the outskirts of town-it seemed there was hardly anything out here at all other than their small ranch house and tall barn.

"They've lived here for like... ever," Evan explained when we stepped out the car. "They were farmers once, but I think they just run the ranch now."

While getting out my suitcase, I peered around some and noted more little buildings scattered about. Fences put up, cows grazing in the distant. There were acres and acres of land that seemingly belonged to them. How did one manage to get around the entire place in a single day?

I hadn't even noticed the car parked a little ways in front of us, indicating the others were already here. Five people emerged out of the small house, one significantly smaller than the others. Presumably, Evan's little sister.

Confirming my assumptions, the tiny girl ran towards us with a bright smile. "Evan!"

He grinned, bending to meet her level as she wrapped her frail arms around his neck. He squeezed her. They pulled apart but smiles remained. "Paige, have you gotten taller since Christmas?"

She nodded proudly, holding her chin high. "I grew two inches." She held up two fingers to emphasize.

Evan ruffled her hair, to which they both shared a giddy laugh. The moment was soon over, however, because the adults had approached us. I met the elder man's eyes, a coldness to them sending literal chills over my arms and down my spine. He looked like he was ready to break someone in half just for the enjoyment.

The younger woman stepped forward, smiling at Evan before pulling him in for her own hug. "It's nice that you came." She leaned towards his ear, brought her voice real low, and I was barely able to hear her make out the words, "Thank you."

No wonder Evan felt pressured to come.

He gave her an anxious smile in response before clearing his throat, pointing to me. "Everyone, this is my friend Grace. Grace, this is my mom and her boyfriend Todd. Todd's dad Frank and his mom Eliza."

I threw on my most polite smile, holding my hand out. "Nice to meet you guys."

The elder woman-Eliza-stared at me. "Young lady, do you have any idea how much leg you're exposing?" She sounded truly appalled.

Face reddening, I looked down at my just-above-knee-length shorts. They weren't short at all, not to me. Covered majority of my thighs and definitely my rear, so what was her problem with them? But it didn't take long for me to remember just how old-fashioned Evan had described her.

Evan spoke before I could. "It's not the fifties anymore, Eliza."

I pursed my lips, the awkwardness really sinking in now. This woman was at least sixty, yet she acted as if she were from the Victorian era. I knew the fifties were wary of women's clothing, but hadn't she been around long enough to know that these were regular length shorts?

Todd was next to cut in. "The girl is dressed fine, Mom. Can we go have dinner now? I'm starving and it's bad enough you made me wait for him to arrive," he said, shooting a look to Evan's mom.

She shrank back, hardly noticeable to anyone, but I had seen it. And I was more than worried about it. Surely she wasn't staying with an abusive man?

The dinner table was even worse than outside. Though Paige was rapidly speaking to me in an excited tone, I could feel the daggers of everyone else's glares piercing into me. Not so much Evan's mom, but the other three clearly held up to their judgmental label.

At least the food was substantial. Pot roast and cooked vegetables. Mashed potatoes were also up for grabs, but I politely declined. The only potato-food I eat is french fries-I'm not even sure how that works.

Mixed with the sound of utensils clanking against plates, you could just make out Frank's gruff voice. "So Evan." Evan visibly tensed beside me at his name being called. "Has your career flunked yet?"

My lips parted, my hand freezing mid-bite just before the fork could reach my lips. Had I really just heard that come out of the old man's mouth? No, "How's your career going?" but has it flunked?

Evan inhaled sharply. "No. In fact, classes are starting back again soon and then I'll graduate."

Frank chewed the pot roast as if he were angry at it. He shrugged some, looking down at his plate to take another bite before raising his gaze to Evan's, almost demonically. "I'm just saying. You could've chosen a manlier job. I warned your mother that you'd swing the other way eventually."

Evan's mom looked like he slapped her across the face. I was still entirely shocked by the ordeal that I barely heard Evan's reply. "Just because I want to be a nurse doesn't mean I'm gay. And even if I was, that's none of your business."

"Only a gay boy would get so defensive," Frank spat back.

He's lucky Jacob wasn't there.

"Dad, enough," Todd finally mumbled, rolling his eyes as he scooped a spoonful of cooked carrots into his mouth. "He's not my son, so his failure-or sexuality-isn't my problem."

Evan's mom had tears in her eyes when she shot up from the table, excusing herself in a quiet and hurried whisper. She was around the corner in seconds, leaving the air in a heavy, awkward tension. I glanced over at Evan who was biting his bottom lip, staring after her. Then to Paige who looked to young to really know what was going on.

Todd rolled his eyes again. "I'll be back." He followed Evan's mom's footsteps out the kitchen.

Eliza, shockingly, gave her husband a little shove. "Must you be such an idiot all the time?" she hissed, but continued eating nonetheless.

Frank didn't know when to shut up. "What?" he nearly yelled, throwing his fork down on his plate, causing me to jump and drop my own fork. "The boy has a right to know that his future isn't very bright if he plans on doing a woman's job!"

Evan was next to spring up from his seat, not even bothering to excuse himself.

I deflated some for him, but stood to follow just like Todd had done with his mom. I wanted to snap something at the old man, but thought the better of it and exited with a quiet, "Excuse me."

I found Evan out back in the fields, the sun dipping low in the sky. He was sitting on the hardly sturdy wooden fence, his head in his hands. I folded my arms and walked over as if in need for tiptoeing. I almost doubted myself in approaching him at all with how upset he looked.

Oddly enough, he spoke first without even looking at me. "I'm so sorry, Grace. You shouldn't have come with me."

I frowned, leaning against the fence to try and look at his face. "Evan, you don't have to be sorry. After what I just saw, I'm glad I came. You weren't kidding when you said you needed someone to maintain your sanity."

He didn't crack not even the smallest of smiles. But he did lift his head, just towards the sky and not me. "My own mother can't even stand up for me when this happens. Her and Paige are the only ones proud that I even made it into college. Not that I expected anything more. Not from them."

I placed my hand on his shoulder. "I know it's hard, but you can't listen to them, you know? The best way to prove them wrong is to succeed."

"What if I don't?"

I wasn't going to lie and say he would-no one was positive of that. We still had another semester of classes before any of us could succeed. The internship was simply another test.

"Then you'll find something else you're passionate about. A veterinarian, a lawyer, a Walmart cashier..."

That time, he did manage a small laugh. "The third option is sounding better and better, honestly."

"All I'm saying is that if you enjoy being a nurse, then keep being one. Who cares what he says? You're out there helping to save lives and he's... what? A butcher?"

He laughed again. "Close. They raise the animals to be healthy and then ship them off to be slaughtered and press-packaged in stores."

I scrunched my nose, but knew it was only natural to use cows and pigs as a food source. I myself couldn't resist a juicy steak or hamburger once in a while. And who doesn't like bacon?

Evan cleared his throat, drawing my attention back to him and away from the sunset. His cheeks were slightly flushed as he scratched the back of his neck. "Thanks, Grace. I feel like I say it all the time, but I mean it every time."

I smiled. "It's no problem, Evan. I'm simply being a good friend."

His smile faltered, but only a little. "Yeah. You're a really good friend."

★ ☆ ★ ☆

Saturday morning slammed into us with screaming and crashes from downstairs. I was out of the guestroom in moments only to meet Evan's eyes as he opened the door across from mine. His were wide, worried. I knew whatever was happening couldn't be any good.

The clock on the nightstand had informed me it was four-thirty in the morning. By no means did I plan on being awoken so soon. I'm not even a morning person in the slightest, but there was no avoiding the unmistakable sound downstairs that concluded in an argument. One that appeared to be getting violent.

Paige sleepily opened the door beside Evan's, rubbing her eyes. When she heard the next bang! just below her, she jumped awake and scurried to Evan. "Is Mr. Todd hitting Mommy again? I'm scared." She was already crying.

For the second time in under twenty-four hours, I was standing there speechless. Mouth agape, eyes afraid. Paige had to be no older than seven, and she was witnessing such cruelty?

By the clench of Evan's jaw, he hadn't expected those words to leave her lips either. He was angry, but it was obvious he was no fighter. Evan had told me once himself he avoided any kind of conflict like the plague. I could relate to him with that-confrontations were never welcoming.

"What do we do?" I whispered to him. Of course we had to stop it, if it were the case. But did we call the cops or would that make his mother upset? I know most abuse victims have a hard time getting help. What if it were severe, though?

A thought told me to call Harry because he would no doubt have zero trouble stopping it. But it was a foolish thought to have. We were almost two hours away in the early hours of the morning. Even if he were to come, surely the conflict wouldn't last that long.

Evan's mother-I assumed-let out a ear piercing scream.

He handed Paige over to me and was down the stairs in seconds.

I hurried to follow him, keeping Paige propped on my hip to the best of my abilities. But she wasn't exactly a baby, so it was proven difficult. Especially since she was crying and I had no idea what to do in such a situation.

I wished I would've stayed upstairs.

Evan's mom was on the floor, scurrying towards the door with blood dripping down the side of her face. Todd threw a plate from the kitchen doorway. It hit the floor just beside the frail woman, glass shards digging into her arm and drawing more blood.

Eliza and Frank had stormed out of their room just as Evan was heading towards Todd. Frank surprised me by hurrying to Evan's side, holding him back from in case Todd were to strike him next. Eliza was hollering for Todd to quit, scrambling to help Evan's mother all while avoiding Todd's game of throwing dangerous objects.

Paige buried her face in my shoulder and I smoothed her hair down, trying to calm her and myself. She held onto me so tightly that she was near choking me, but I didn't dare try and shift her. She was so little and if I needed to be her anchor, I would.

"Dammit, Todd, stop it!" Frank yelled, grabbing his son angrily by the arm and shoving him towards the backdoor. "Get the hell out of my house until you get your wits back!"

Todd started to argue, but Frank pushed him again, making him knock into the backdoor. Todd slung it open and again tried to open his mouth, but Frank practically made him fly down the few stairs. He followed his son out there, his yells audible but muffled.

The only sound now was Eliza cooing Evan's bawling mother. Evan knelt beside her, tears in his own eyes as he asked what happened, what he could do, if she needed anything. Eliza was doing the same until her eyes met mine.

They were softer than yesterday.

"Can you take Paige upstairs, dear?" she said quietly, almost a whisper. She tried to smile, but of course couldn't succeed.

I nodded, attempting to return her strained smile before walking back up the stairs with Paige still gripping me tightly.

Unsure where else to go, I took her into the guestroom where I was staying and laid her down, sitting beside her. It took her a long time to tear her hands away from my neck, but when she finally did, they locked onto my own hands.

"Don't leave me," she said in a frantic voice.

"I'm not leaving, I promise." I brushed her hair out of her face. "It wouldn't do any good to try and go back to sleep, huh?" I whispered.

She shook her head, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. I peeled one hand away from hers to wipe them away and she let out a shaky breath.

"Mr. Todd says he loves my mama, but then he hurts her." She was trying so desperately hard to keep her tears at bay. "Do people hurt the people they love?"

I smiled the best I could at her, continuing to flick away her new tears. "People have different ways of saying they love someone," I said. "I think Mr. Todd loves your mom, Paige. I just don't think he loves her enough."

I wasn't sure what else to say to someone so young. Tell her Todd was a complete asshole? I couldn't do that. And who knows, maybe Todd did love her like I said so. No one was to know for sure, and I definitely couldn't speak for him.

I ended up laying beside Paige while she talked to me about random little things-her favorite color, her best friends at school, and so on-until Evan had lightly knocked on the door around seven or so. Two hours I spent with the small girl and yet it felt like minutes.

He apologized, of course, which led me to tell him there was nothing to be sorry about. He apologized a lot for things he couldn't control. I admired and hated that quality in him. He took the fault and blame for other people's doings when he shouldn't be.

The rest of the day carried on in a tense silence around the house. Frank had scorned Todd for a long time that morning, and continued to give him glares throughout the day. It seemed he had no idea of the beast inside his son, but he sure as hell wasn't tolerating it either. I respected him for that even with all his other flaws.

Eliza, apparently, used to be a nurse in the military a long time ago. She helped Evan's mom get cleaned up and such to avoid the hospital. I overheard Evan's mom rambling in a terrified voice that she couldn't go to the hospital, not for anything. She couldn't let people know. She just couldn't.

Paige, Evan, and I mainly hung outside. Paige chased chicken while Evan and I laughed from afar. Evan stepped in cow maneuver while Paige and I laughed from afar. I got pooped on by a bird flying by while Paige and Evan laughed from afar. It seemed odd to be sharing so many laughs after the scene early this morning, but it was refreshing all the same.

Seven o'clock came, and it turned out I didn't need to ask if I could watch Harry's fight. After dinner, Frank already had it on and was planted on the couch. Eliza had made a remark about watching such a gruesome thing, to which he waved her away, and I had laughed.

Frank looked baffled when I sat on the chair beside the couch. "You watch this stuff, little lady?" He hadn't spoken in a scrutinizing tone like I expected he would've.

I smiled, face flushing some. I debated on just speaking the truth, and finally said "why not?" and did just that. "Only the ones involving my boyfriend. Gotta make sure he doesn't die, you know?"

He actually laughed at my pathetic joke. "Really? Hopefully not the near-forty-year-old. So, the young one, Harry Styles?"

I nodded, my face burning.

"He's a talented one." Frank took a swig of his beer. "Happens to be who I'm rooting for this match, actually. Who would've thought we'd agree on something?"

It was my turn to laugh, and I did so because Frank was being surprisingly friendly. Evan came in and sat beside him, though on the opposite side to keep his distant. He gave me a little smile to which I returned, and then Paige ran in and propped herself in my lap.

The fight started and ended, and I was left with a dreaded phone call soon after.

(omg, thank you so much for 18k followers. y'all have no idea how grateful I really am. I'll try to update again tomorrow or something just because I'm so excited and happy right now. thank you again. love you all xx)