Chapter 8~No More Lies

Danielle's POV~

I hate my dad. I hate him. My dad wouldn't let me go to the mall after school so Luke and I can work on our project. So to make sure I come home and don't try to sneak out with him, my dad sent a guy to come pick me up. Well that guy who came to get me, hates my dad and I. I don't know why, but he does. His name is Jack.

"You know I should hurt you and your friends." he said as we walked the car. "Just leave them alone okay? They have nothing to do with this. I'll go if that's what you want, but don't hurt them. Not even Ashton." I say. "You'll have to do." he huffed as he grabbed my arm.

It felt if someone was watching us as we were walking. We were at the car when we heard a branch snap. Jack and I stopped walking and he starting walking over to where we heard the branch. I stood still looking when I saw someone. Michael?! I was telling him to run, but he didn't. Jack was getting closer and closer to him and I was scared for Michael. So I did the best thing I could. I screamed and that drew Jack's attention to me.

He walked to me and asked, "Why'd you scream?" He seemed annoyed. "Cause I thought something was crawling on me. But there wasn't. Sorry." I lied. He shook his head and grabbed my arm. I turned my head to see Mikey running into the school. I got in the car and we drove off.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After a silent drive, we finally got to my house. I got out the car and started walking to the door when I turned around. "Remember. Don't hurt my friends. I'll do it." I say to Jack. He gives me the okay hand and drives off. I stood there and watched him. I walked to the door and opened it. "Dad. I'm home." I yell. I walked to the kitchen and saw him sitting at the table. I walked to him and sat down next to him. "So. How was work?" I asked.

I don't even know why I try to communicate with him. It's not like he'll ever like me. I get up to walk to the fridge when he pulls me back down. "Why did it take so long to get home?" he asked with a tone. "Jack thought someone was watching us so he went to investigate that's it." I explain. I'm telling the truth. Well, not the whole truth. Like I'm gonna tell him that Michael was watching and I distracted Jack so he could run away. "Okay. Well go to your room and start on your homework. We have a dinner at 6 at the Irwins tonight." he says.

What?! Now I have to see him later tonight?! I already have to work with him in history now this? I swear the world is trying to fuck me over. I grabbed my backpack and ran upstairs to my room. Well since I only went to two periods, I don't have homework. I grabbed my guitar and started playing.

When you smile, I melt inside

I'm not worthy for a minute of your time

I really wish it was only me and you

I'm jealous of everybody in the room

Please don't look at me with those eyes

I was interrupted by my phone going off.

Text from Ali

Ali~ Hey where are you?

Text from Hemmings

Hemmings~ I miss you:( Where are you?

I reply to both of them.

Dani~ Felt sick so went home early

Hopefully that worked. I placed my guitar on my bed and walked downstairs to the kitchen. I looked and there was a note on the counter. It was from my dad saying that he left and he would be home in a few hours. It's only 10 o'clock so I have time to myself. I ran to the living room and turned the stereo on blasting All Time Low's Guts. I danced all the way to the kitchen and didn't stop.

Is this what it feels like?

Finding out

That I've got the guts

To say anything

Feels like

Breaking out

When I can

Give up my reputation

I spun around and stopped facing the front door. I screamed when I saw someone looking at me. He stood there laughing at me. "Oh god Dani. You're too funny." he said as he laughed. "How long have you been standing there?" I yell. "Long enough to see the whole dance break. Great moves by the way. I loved the move where you-" I cut him off. "Shut up Lucas!" I said. He walked toward me, but I ran. "Hey!" he said. He started chasing me around the house, but I kept dodging him. I ran to the bathroom and locked myself in there. He banged on the door. "Oh. Danielle I know you're in there. Open the door and you're punishment won't be as bad." he said through the door. I stood there. I couldn't move. i felt tears form in my eyes. "No. I won't let you hurt me again!" I yelled back. I fell to the floor sobbing violently. "Dani! Open the door. I'm not going to hurt you. I would never hurt you!" he yelled. I wiped my eyes and and stood up. I opened the door and Luke grabbed me into a hug. I squeezed him tightly. Like I never wanted to let him go.

I let go and stared at him. He seemed so worried. We walked to my room. He sat on my bed and I sat on the floor. It was quiet for awhile until I spoke up. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at school?" I asked. "I ditched at lunch. I wanted to see if you were okay. Are you?" he asked cautiously. I looked away from him. I felt the tears again, but held them back.  "Yeah. Just got some things on my mind that all." I lied. I want to tell him the truth so badly. But if my dad found out that someone besides my family knew what he did to me, I'm dead and so is the person I told. Plus, my life is too complicated right now, and I don't want to drag Luke into it. He's only bound to get hurt and in trouble. And I care about him too much to let that happen. Wouldn't you do the same if it was someone you loved and cared about deeply? "I know you're lying to me. I can sense it. Just tell me. I'm not going to hurt you or tell anyone or anything you don't want me to. I just want to be let in. Yes we just met, but I can't stand to see you sad and scared." he said. He's making this so hard. Should I tell him? I can't believe I'm about to do this.

"What I'm about to tell you is something I haven't told anyone. Not even Ali. You can't tell anyone please Luke." I say. "I won't. I promise." he replies. I take a deep breath. "Remember when you asked if I was abused at home?" I say slowly. He nodded. "Well, I lied. My dad has this hatred towards me and hurts me physically and emotionally." I feel tears coming, but I hold them back. "He's been doing this for about three years now, but I'm scared of him so I never told anyone." I say as the tears roll down my cheek. Luke came to me and hugged me. He placed his hand on my back and rubbed it in circle. "Its okay Danielle. Relax. Is that why you flinched when I lost my cool?" he asked. I nodded my head on his chest.

"Daniella Anna Marie Brooks come down here now!" my dad's voice boomed from downstairs. My head shot up from Luke's chest and my facial expression changed. "Oh shit. The stereo and the kitchen. I'm going to die." I mumble to myself. I'm so dead. I got up from the floor and walked downstairs. My dad was standing right in front of the staircase. As soon as I was on the ground, he slapped me across my face. I immediately grabbed my cheek and whimpered form the pain. "SHUT UP!" he yelled. He grabbed me by my wrist and dragged me to the kitchen. He then whipped me around and threw me to the floor. "WHY IS THIS MUSIC BLASTING AND THE KITCHEN A MESS?" he yelled. He had something in his hand. "AND WHO'S BACKPACK IS THIS?! WHO ELSE IS HERE?!" he shouted. "Um. That is my backpack sir." Luke said from the entrance to the kitchen. My dad's head whipped around fast to glare at Luke. He walked over to Luke and shoved his backpack into his chest. "Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my house?" my dad asked.

"My name is Luke and Danielle and I have a project for english so I came by so we could work on it since she left early. And the music being loud and the kitchen a mess is my fault. I didn't think the music would matter and I'm a messy guy. I'll clean it up." he said as he walked past my dad into the kitchen. I stood there shocked at Luke. He just took the blame for me and is cleaning my mess up. My dad left the kitchen and shut the stereo off. I walked to the doorway to make sure my dad went upstairs. I walked back to Luke. "Why did you just do that? You just got his bad side now Luke. I was fine." I say. "I heard the slap from your room. I wasn't going to let anything happen to you again." he said. He started cleaning the kitchen and I stood there. Why does he care so much?

My thoughts were interrupted by him saying something. "Dani I have to go. Lunch is over, but I can come by after school." he said. "No. I'll be fine. Plus I have to go to a dinner later at Ashton's house." I say. "Okay. But if you need me, I'll be at Calum's for practice okay. Just call or text me." he said. I nodded. He grabbed his backpack off the floor. He bent down and gave me a kiss on the cheek and walked out of the house. I left the kitchen and ran upstairs to me room. I closed my door and grabbed my guitar. My mind was flowing of ideas for a song. I started playing and writing. Writing down how I felt.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It's 5 o'clock and I have to start getting ready to go to Ashton's. I finished my song and got up off my bed. I opened my closet and looked for something to wear. I put on a black medium length dress with some black flats. I curled my hair and put on my grandmother's ring. I walked downstairs to see my brothers making a mess in the living room. "Ooo. Dad's going to get pissed at you guys." I say as I walk into the kitchen. I grabbed an apple off my the counter and walked to the living room. My dad came downstairs to a messy living room and stared at it in shock. "Boys! Clean this shit up now!" he said. They got to cleaning immediately. "Come on Danielle." he said as he walked to the front door. "Told ya dorks." I say. I got up and walked to the car. The drive to Ash's isn't that long. Maybe about a good 15 minutes.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

We finally got to Ashton's house, and I can't say I don't miss this place. Anne always had food made and Lauren and Harry were always having fun. It was a second home to me and I actually miss it. But since Ash and I broke up, I've never been back. We walked to the porch and rang the doorbell. Harry came and opened the door. "Dani!" he screamed as he hugged me. "Hey buddy. How are you?" I say as I hug him back. We let go and walked into the house. Lauren was next to greet me and my dad. We walked to the kitchen to find Anne working on dinner. "Hi Anne." I say. She turned around and walked over to me and gave me a hug. "Hi sweetie. How are you?" she asked. "I'm good." I reply. "Hi Danielle." a voice says. I turned around to see Ashton in a dress shirt and some black dress pants. "Hey Ashton." I say. We walked to each other and hugged. I've missed hugging him.

Wait. Did I just say I've missed hugging him?

Do I still have feelings for Ashton?

A/N

Heya guys what's up? This was the longest chapter I've written so far and it had some intense stuff happen in it. So how was it? How was the cliffhanger? Something crazy is gonna happen at the dinner. Just wait and see.

Anywho.

Please follow, vote and comment on the story. It'd really help if you did. You can also leave it on my twitter which is @lukeslaugh13 and you can follow me there too as well. Thank you guys for reading and the next chapter should be coming very soon. I love you all so incredibly much and I'll see you guys soon.