AN: here's chapter 19. Enjoy, people.

Lexi's POV: (three weeks later)

TW: brief mentions of abuse. Goes into eating disorders (forced) and physical abuse but not in detail!

It's been three weeks since Nick first punched me. He extended his abuse to mental as well as physical. Whenever he came round- which was quite often- I was forced to lie that I wasn't hungry and skip important meals. If my half-brothers didn't believe me, I'd throw up my food afterwards. I tried eating when he wasn't there, but he'd somehow find out and I'd get a beating.

I examined my reflection in the mirror. Dead eyes, sunken cheeks and bloodless lips. I applied a little makeup to seem better and examined my bruised ribs. After they'd healed from my near-death experience, Nick wasted practically no time in injuring them again.

My friends kept asking me if I was okay, but I pushed them away. When Jackson asked if he could come over to work on the project, I told him we'd have to work in the library, making some terrible excuse that I'm sure he didn't believe. Nick had already threatened my half-brothers and I didn't want my friends on his radar too.

Flashback:

"Don't eat your food," Nick muttered as we were all sat around the table. Fortunately for him, the noise was loud enough to drown out his voice, "and don't tell your half-brothers."

"What if I do?" I snapped defiantly.

A slow, sick smirk spread across his face. Carelessly, he picked up his knife and threw it. It flew across the table and narrowly missed hitting Ryan.

"Sorry!" He cried, "I was showing Lexi a trick and it kinda failed."

My heart climbed in my throat and I tried to mask my emotions. His meaning couldn't be clearer.

End of flashback.

Sighing, I grabbed my bag and went downstairs, lost in a tsunami of thoughts. I skipped breakfast again and started leaving the house.

"Lexi?"

I turned at the sound of Ryan's voice, careful to keep my guard up, "yes?"

He fidgeted slightly, "are you okay? Me and the others have been worrying about you a lot and, well, we wanted to give you some space... is everything okay?"

I wanted to break down and confess to what Nick had done. But the thought of Nick and his goons hurting my half-brothers stopped me in my tracks, "everything is fine, Ryan. Don't worry about me," with a curt nod, I left.

The sky was riddled with gray and the semi-comforting smell of wet cement hit my nose. The discordant clamour of cars and people made me wince. I squinted in the weak sun, feeling drained.

The day passed in a blur. I felt like I was there, but not there at the same time. I avoided my friends as much as possible, bouts of pain washing over me. I couldn't find any pain killers or medicine, so I had to suck it up and suffer.

During Science, a wave of nausea overcame me. I groaned softly, dropping my pencil and clutching my stomach. Jackson- who was next to me- shot me a concerned look.

Shakily, I raised my hand, "Mr. Miller? Please can I go to the bathroom?"

He looked at me in irritation, "you should've gone at break. That's what it's for."

I gritted my teeth, "so can I go?"

"No." He went back to his book.

I closed my eyes and breathed deeply through my nose. It was time for drastic measures.

"Mr. Miller," I repeated. He looked at me, faintly annoyed. I held up a sanitary pad, "look, I really have to go."

First, he looked confused. Then, understanding washed over him and he coughed in embarrassment, "Ok, ok. Erm. You can go."

"Thank you," I nodded, several girls and boys gave me the thumbs up as I passed. I smiled and immediately frowned as the world tipped upside down.

I barely made it to the bathroom without collapsing, every nerve on fire. I locked myself in a stall and focused on getting air into my lungs. I was vaguely aware of footsteps coming closer and a tentative knock on my door.

"Occupied!" I called, clutching my head.

"Lexi? Are you okay?" Jackson asked.

I unlocked the door and looked at him through half-lidded eyes, "how did you know?"

He shrugged, "you seemed off the entire day and suddenly paled and clutched your ribs. I decided to sacrifice my dignity, follow you and make sure you were okay?"

"I'm fine Jackson," I brushed past him and washed my hands, "just stay out of this."

"What's wrong?" He asked softly, studying me intently.

My hands shook as I wiped them with a paper towel. Tears brimmed in my eyes and a heavy weight settled on my heart. Unable to hold it back, I let out a choked sob.

Jackson gently pulled me into an embrace. I cried as he hugged me, whispering comforting words in my ear.

"It hurts," I squeezed my eyes shut, "it hurts so much."

Jackson pulled away and brushed away some tears from under my eyes, "wanna get out of here?"

I nodded mutely. I checked if the coast was clear and the two of us went down to the nurse's office.

"Mr. White?" Jackson asked, "Lexi isn't feeling so good."

Mr. White looked at me. I did my best to look as sick as possible. He checked my temperature and frowned, "slightly higher than normal and you do look a bit pale. Are you sure you don't just want some medicine and go back to class?"

I nodded sleepily, "I don't think I'll be able to."

"Very well," he sighed, "I'll call one of your half-brothers to pick you up."

"That won't be necessary," I hastily interjected, "they're working right now and I don't think they'll be able to come."

"I can drop her off," Jackson added.

Mr. White nodded, "okay. I'll write you a note and you can go."

He did so, eyeing us suspiciously and the two of us tried to look as innocent as possible. We walked to Jackson's car and breathed a sigh of relief when we sat inside.

"I didn't expect that to work," Jackson admitted, "but at least you now have a viable excuse. Where do you want to go?"

I sank back in the seat, my eyes trained ahead, "anywhere but here."

X

About half an hour later, we stopped at a verdant plane atop a large cliff. A cool breeze swept my hair across my face. We sat a few metres away from the edge and stared at the woods below. The quiet chirping of birds helped lull me in a sense of security. For a moment, nothing else existed but the here and now.

"Thanks," I smiled at Jackson and he returned the gesture.

"What's wrong Lexi?" He added hastily, "you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." He ran a hand through his hair.

My eyes caught something white on his arm. Frowning, I grabbed it and pulled the sleeve up. Jackson inhaled sharply and I gasped. Carved onto his skin was the word 'MURDERER'.

"Who did this to you?" I growled, shaking with barely contained anger.

Jackson pulled his arm away and rested his elbows on his knees, staring at the horizon, "my stepfather."

I stayed silent, unsure whether he would continue and not wanting to press him.

"My father was the greatest man who ever lived," he started quietly, not looking at me, "he was my hero. My parents, me and my older sister were quite poor. Yet my father never let that stop him from having an optimistic view about life. He would always say that although we were poor in money, we were rich in happiness.

When I was seven, he died in a car accident. The report said 'accident' but I knew deep down that it wasn't true. Dad always took great care of his car- his pride and joy. There's no way it would have malfunctioned.

I have no idea why my Mum married Connor. He drinks, spends our money and his hobby is taking his anger out on the rest of us. He didn't deserve my amazing Mum," he took a shaky breath, a lonely tear tracing a silver path down his cheek, "about five years ago, Mum told me and Violet-my sister- to hide in the cupboard. Connor was in a drunken rage, breaking everything in sight. I heard Mum scream and then... silence.

I went to check and I saw Mum, covered in blood, lying on the floor. The police came a few hours later and Connor played the role of the grieving husband," he let out a sardonic chuckle, "they put it down to a burglary gone wrong. Me and Violet were too scared to do anything since Connor has friends in high places," Jackson took a deep breath, "do you know what it's like being too scared to go to your own house? Always wondering if each day will be your last? Wishing that all of it would end?"

I closed my eyes, feeling tears streaming down my cheeks, "yes, I do."

I could feel his gaze burning into the side of my head as I told my story-even what happened with Nick. When I finished, Jackson wrapped an arm around my shoulder and hugged me.

"I'm so broken," I said quietly, staring at my hands.

"Broken crayons still colour the same," he nudged me, "hey, don't look so gloomy. We can be broken together."

I laughed softly, "thanks, Jack. For this. I really needed it."

He gave me a lopsided smile, "that's what friends are for, Xandra."

End of chapter 19.

I hope you guys liked it!

Stay safe and thanks for reading :)