Yume POV

We were on our way to Riku's house. With what had happened Brec and Honoka made me go apologize to Riku. And when I did he acted a bit afraid.

I honestly could sense that he was sorry too. Maybe it's that Lily's been saying stuff to him... I'm not so sure.

But at the same time Lily was also acting weird. Her eyes were bloodshot. Like as if she was crying and her cheeks were big and poofy.

As we walk, I watch as Shiro jumps out of nowhere and joins our group for the walk.

The reason we're heading over to his house is because, Riku and Ryuu's mom is from America. Where they celebrate Thanksgiving. Ryuu told me once that when their mom turned 18 she moved to Japan and met their father. Of course Japan doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving.

Rather, Riku and Ryuu's mom has a huge dinner the week before Thanksgiving. And invite all their friends and family. But this year their mom and dad aren't home. So instead they invited us.

I had decided not to tell Shiro what Riku said. Brec told me once that he may not show it, but he's very protective of Brec. And I'd rather not take the chance of Riku being sent to the hospital... At least not yet.

I smell the air. It's been such a long time since I've actually been out of the hospital. Me, Brec haven't been realeased yet. But Honoka has. The only reason me and Brec were even able to leave was because, One; We were getting better; and Two; The doctors said we needed soem freash air and walk around something that isn't hospital walls.

I decided to start reading my book. Which is still The One.

(WARNING! ANYBODY WHO HAS AN INTEREST IN READING The Selection By Kiera Cass OR HASN'T FINISHED READING The One PLEASE NOTE THAT SPOILERS ARE ABOUT TO BE WRITTEN!)

I'm very close to the end. Last time I read it, America had just gotten back to the palace after her father's funeral. Where she found out that both Elise and Celeste were both eliminated. But all the Selected girls are at the palace again. The last two are America and Kriss.

After a America and Maxon about to... You know, they stop and sleep in her room after telling America he was gonna chose her as his wife. Basically the next day Maxon found out about America and Aspen dating before. And told America he would now chose Kriss.

I open my book and continue reading. And after a few minutes of reading. When I read a certain line, I stop dead in my tracks. Tears about to escape my eyes. Re-reading the sentence again.

I watched in confusion as a red-marked guard walked up behind Celeste and put a bullet squarely through the back of her head.

"What's wrong Yume?"
Brec asks.

I slowly close the book and place it back in my bag. And say,"Oh no reason. My heart just died that's all."

Brec stares at me in confusion as I hang my head in saddness.

As we walk inside Riku and Ryuu's home. I stare in amazement. They practically live in a mansion!

Weirdly enough, before we got here I researched Riku and Ryuu's family. Turned out their dad owns a big company and their mom is a lawyer.

As the two Itona brothers walk us to their dinning room, I catch a glimpse of some familiar light pink hair.

Lily's here

But in an instant, I feel something wrong with her... Something different..

My eyes slightly widen as I catch a part of her arm bandaged. Under her right eye is a slightly red mark. At first I think it's from crying or something like that. But as I stare at it more, I realize that the mark is only under her right eye.
Like.... Like as if someone slapped her there...

I shake my head from the thought. I notice that her gaze isn't even on us. It's on the floor. Not to mention her posture is slumped. Her back leaning against the wall in a tired way. She wears nothing but a plain white dress.

As she see's us. She walks over to us. Stopping next to Riku and bows slightly. Not saying a word. As she raises I notice something in her eyes that make mine widen.

Her eyes look dead.

Not actually like dead dead, like they can't work but.... Like as if she's just.... Dead...

At a certain point I notice that Lily's face has been changing. Like as if someone's whispering things to her.

I watch in confusion as she stands up. And keeps her head down. Her body seaming to slightly shake.

And then

She opens her mouth, and what she says she makes sure everyone hears her.

"Riku. Why would you ever date a girl you never knew in real life? Not to mention get her pregnant."

And just. Like. That.

I hear a loud thump from Riku's direction. Followed by the sound of Brec's heavy feet slamming on the floor.

Before she can get near Lily, Shiro appears behind her and grabs her by her waist. Holding her back. Brec tries to release herself from his grip. Shouting at Lily,"For your information! It was my choice! MY Choice!!"

Before I know it everyone's standing up. Practically yelling at Lily. It was then I notice Lily's fearful face. As I watch as she tries to hide her wrists behind her dress.

Was that a cut on her wrist!?

She grabs Riku's arm. And starts asking, begging for help. Riku continues to stare at the ground. It's not even until he looks up atLily. Gives her a kind face.

"Lily..."

(Play song right now but put it at 5:35!)

"Y

eah!?"

"I'm not here for you.....

"I know Brec like I know my own mind, you will never find anyone as loyal in this life!

"And a million years ago she had the opportunity to leave my side.....

"Yet she didn't move an inch....

"Do you wanna know whY!?"

"SHE KNEW I LOVED HER MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THIS LIFE!"

Riku slowly starts backing Lily up to the front door.

"SHE CHOSE MY HAPPINESS OVER HER'S BOTH TIME!

"THAT'S WHY--

"SHE'S WAS THE BEST THING IN MY LIFE!

"AND YET YOU MADE ME LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT I HAD BEEN BLESSED WITH THE BEST WIFE!"

Lily stares at Riku terrified yet angry and confused.

I watch as her eyes and face starts to panic.

"CONGRATULATIONS! FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!"

Riku opens the door and slowly and gently pushes Lily out the door.

"SHE'S MORE OF A WOMEN--NO A PERSON THEN YOU'LL EVER BE--

"NOW I WISH YOU THE BEST LIFE!

"CONGRATULATIONS!"

He yells as he slams the door in Lily's face.

"WHOO HOO RIKU!"

I over hear

Shiro shout.

I look in front of him. Which has a Brec who has tears hanging from her eyes.

I look down and try to process what the hell just happened.

I lean myself against the wall and slowly slide down. As I sit on the floor I feel someone sit next to me. I look over at Ryuu. I had notice that he was the only one who wasn't getting mad at Lily.

"So,"

He starts.
"How come you weren't yelling at her?"

I shrug.

"I know it'll sound weird but... It just... Didn't feel right... She was... Different today..."

Ryuu looks down and nods in agreement."I know... She got here before y'all. And the second she walked through the door I knew something was wrong...

"Since then I've been trying to pry out the reason why she was acting weird today. I even tried to pick up a piece of her hair that coveres her hair and she slapped it away. Not in a way like I was invading her personal space, but it was a quick reaction and her face had a flash of panic."

He looks up.

"I feel like there's a whole lot more to her than we see."

I stare at him in confusion.
"Like what?"
"Like..."

He looks around and see's that everyone it gathered around the table setting it up besides us.

He leans over to me.

"Don't tell anyone... But like as if she's getting hurt. You saw the bandages and that red mark right?"

I nod my head.
"Yeah... I even saw some cuts on her wrist. And I've read that the only people who get those are from.... Self harm, along with suicidal people..."

I look down.
"But if that's true what is the motion as too why she's like that..."

Ryuu looks at me.
"She has a dad right?"

I nod my head.

"Anything about a mother?"
"No. Why?"

He stares me down in my eyes. And the answer to my question is one that I'd rather not know.

"Abuse........"

The word slips out of my lips. I watch as Ryuu slowly nods his head.

I open my mouth to reply before Subaru calls us over. I stand up and brush my skirt down a bit. I walk over to everyone. My hands shaking a bit.

As we put things in to-go boxes. I watch as Ryuu holds two and hands one to Honoka. I then watch as he slowly slips out the back with the other one.

It's only 3 or 5 minutes later when he comes back inside but without the white box.

"Yume! Come on! We have to go!"

I over hear Brec yell at me. I shake my head and head over to them. Me and Ryuu share a quick glance. As if communicating through our eyes.

Was that...
Yes.

As we wave goodbye to everyone. Brec, Honoka, and Subaru start talking. As I look down.

If everything I've connected is right. If everything me and Ryuu talked about or speculated is right then...

"Lily's father is abusing her...."
I whisper to myself ever so quietly.