I have no idea how long we sat here, but I know it had to be hours. If Sebastian hadn't fallen asleep on me, then I would've hounded him about where these bruises came from. Actually, that's not true. I couldn't do that to him, not when he's so upset and hurt.

My phone is stuck in my bag, so I'm unable to get it to check the time or anything. My parents are probably worried since I haven't called. My phone is also on silent, so I'm not sure if I have any calls or texts waiting to be answered. Sebastian does have an alarm clock on his nightstand that he doesn't use, but his body is blocking the way so I can't see what time it is.

When my arm becomes numb, I decide to try to remove myself from Sebastian's grasp. It wouldn't be so bad if Sebastian wasn't noticeably heavier than me. I'm also not the strongest person in the world so trying to pull my arm from under Sebastian and pushing him at the same time is very much killing my arms. He started to slip out of my grasp, so in a panic, I ripped my free hand back and pushed his shoulder.

Not expecting that to happen, I froze, my eyes wide and lips pressed tightly together. Sebastian's eyes flew open, by now I could barely see since it had gotten darker and the small amount of light there was, was gone. All I had were the glowing stars on his ceiling, so I could only just make out the whites of his eyes after my eyes adjusted and readjusted. Leaning closer to him, I watched as Sebastian closed his eyes again, falling back asleep. Luckily, he shifted, turning away from me and releasing my arm when doing so. I breathed out as I pulled my arm from the bed, though feeling nothing with how numb it is.

I got up from the bed and leaned down to my bag. Pulling my phone out, the screen lit up as I hit the home button. My eyes snap shut at the brightness before I open them slowly so my eyes can condition themselves to the sudden light. I'm met with five phone calls from my mom and about fifty texts. Not really, more like ten, but that was enough to get me calling my mom.

"Emerson, I know for a fact that you know you need to be home right now. Where the hell are you, young lady?" My mom immediately says when she answers.

I sigh into the phone. "I'm at Sebastian's-"

My mom gasps and I suppose she pulls the phone away because I hear her speaking, but it's muffled. "You better not be doing what I think you're doing." Mom suddenly says, her tone stern and leaving room for no arguments.

"No!" I deny quickly, shaking my head though she can't see me. "Sebastian is sleep right now after crying into my arms for hours. Jesus, mom, you know me better than that."

I hear her sigh in relief, making me roll my eyes. "Good," she says. "You still need to be home. Listen, I'll have your father come get you. He'll be there in ten minutes."

"I don't think I should leave Sebastian. He's not okay right now.

My mom groans. There's more muffled talking on the line before she comes back. "Sorry, baby. You gotta come home, the king has made his decision. Have Sebastian come over for dinner, okay?"

"Yeah, okay." I mumble. We say our farewells before hanging up.

I lift a hand to scratch at my scalp, feeling a sort of comfort from in. I then stand straight and climb into Sebastian's bed. For a couple minutes, I just watch him sleep. Whoever did this needs to be taught a lesson. Sure, Sebastian has his flaws, but he doesn't deserve this. I'd never ask for Sebastian to be abused like this, there's no reason for him to be. I hate that it had taken me so long to come and see him.

"Sebastian," I shake his shoulder, calling out his name softly. "Sebastian, wake up."

Sebastian groans, turning over to face me. His eyes are still closed, but I believe he's half awake now. I shake him again, tapping his arm softly. He opens his eyes and yawns.

"Emie, what?" He groans once again, stretching his arms. "What time is it?"

I had completely forgotten to check the time when I looked at my phone. Holding it up to my face, I turn it on and look at the time. It was currently seven at night. I can't believe we had sat here for five hours, just sitting in each others arms.

"Seven. My dad is on his way to come get me." I tell him, removing myself from the bed once again. This time I'm the one stretching, feeling my nonexistent muscles tightening and loosening.

Sebastian yawns again and moves onto his back, staring up at his ceiling where the glowing stars lay. "Must be nice to have a dad who cares." He mutters. I think he meant for me to not hear it, but I did.

I fly onto the bed, leaning over him with a concerned face. My eyes move across each bruise he has on his face, something suddenly clicking in my mind. The last time I had seen Sebastian's father, he had seemed so passive aggressive, like something was building up in him. With Sebastian's secret getting out, the whole town should know by now, save for a few folks who don't care, his father would have gotten word from somebody. And I really don't think his father would have been happy with what he was told.

"Did he do this?" I whisper the question because I feel as if I talk any louder, I'll be opening a door that maybe shouldn't be opened.

Sebastian says nothing, his gaze focused up on the ceiling. Where my hand is placed on his chest, I can feel the beat of his heart. It's erratic, a complete opposite from his cool and collected face.

"Sebastian?" I speak louder. "Did he do this?"

He finally looks at me and I see the complete and utter sadness in his eyes. Hesitantly, he nods and I feel like another dam has broken when his tears start flowing. Clearly, this subject is touchy and it's understandable. I know his father can be overbearing, but I never thought he would put his hands on my Sebastian.

"Oh God," my forehead drops onto his chest. Then I remember that Sebastian has a little brother, the one who's a complete sweetheart and who is too young to be abused. Scratch that, you're never too old to not deserve abuse. "Where's Simon? Sebastian, please don't tell me..."

Sebastian shakes his head. "No, he's at my aunts. He'll be staying there for a while...until he calms down."

"Jesus. I can't believe him! How could he lay his hands on you?" I look up at him, my eyes and voice now angry. "It's because of the picture, isn't it?"

Sebastian nods, not saying anything. I scoff and just as I got to rant again, his doorbell rings. That would be my father who's completely interrupting us.

"You need to tell someone, Sebastian. Does your mother know? Of course she knows."

Sebastian sits up, taking me with him and making my body lean i an awkward angle. "Emie, no. You cannot tell anybody, not even your parents. Emie, I'm begging you, please do not tell anyone about this."

His doorbell rings again. I'm torn with whether to agree or disagree. His father can't get away with domestic abuse and I can't be a bystander to this. If anything worse were to happen, I would feel absolutely terrible since I know and chose not to tell anyone.

"Please." Sebastian pleads a final time.

I sigh, relenting. "Fine. But I can't continue keeping your secrets."

What have I done?

* * *

The next day, Sebastian finally showed up. After a week of him not coming to school, he was finally back. Looking at him, his bruises seemed so much worse in the light. I could tell that everyone thought the same if their gasps were anything to go by. Honestly, Sebastian looked rugged, like a bad boy. But everyone knew he wasn't, that's just not him.

As he came towards me, my eyes stay glued to his cheek where a massive bruise late. I can now see that there was also a cut on his cheek, right in the center of the circle of discolored skin. The cut was a light red color, standing out against his bruise. It was an odd combination and it somehow made his face look worse than it was.

"Emie," Sebastian mumbled as he stopped walking in front of me.

I bit my bottom lip, my eyes moving away from his cheek and instead, finding their way to the riding boots I had chosen to wear.

"I'm going to do something bad." Sebastian's next words pull me out of my reverie. I look up in confusion, eyeing him warily. What could Sebastian be planning to do that's bad?

"What do you mean?" I ask him, furrowing my eyebrows. He's making me want to reach out and feel his forehead with how stolid he's acting.

But I receive no reply from Sebastian. In fact, he ignores me completely and chooses to walk away from me, turning his back on me silently. Calling out to him proves to be futile since the bell ends up ringing. With an irritated groan, I shut my locker and begin making my way to my first class of the day.

All throughout my classes, everyone has still been talking about Sebastian and Cody. They've been trying to piece together what was happening in the picture. It seems that nobody wants to believe that Sebastian likes guys and was kissing Cody voluntarily. I suppose they're all just too invested and are choosing to be in denial.

My favorite rumor is that this is all a large prank and Cody will come forward and say that he had his hand between their lips. Somehow, that's been on the grapevine and more and more kids are choosing to believe it. Don't get me wrong, a lot of kids are still reeling from the fact that Sebastian's gay and aren't feeding into the rumors. My name has even been mentioned multiple times. Everyone thinks the reason Sebastian and I had broken up is because he's gay and couldn't handle being with a girl anymore.

I mean, they're not exactly wrong.

By the time lunch came around, I was tired of everyone's constant rambling. I was just about ready to remove my ears from my body permanently. I was also ready to temporarily blind everyone. Harsh, yes, but everyone's eyes being on me was starting to make me feel anxious. It was extremely uncomfortable to look over and catch eyes on you at every turn.

I plop down onto the chair, my tray slamming down on the lunch table. My carton of chocolate milk falls over, my bag of sliced apples jostling slightly. Miguel looks up from his phone as I settle, his eyebrow raised and a teasing smile on his face. With all of this stuff with Sebastian happening, I haven't even had the time to check with my friends and see how they're doing.

"You're the talk of the town again, Emerson," he mumbles, his smile noticeably tired.

I shake my head and press my forehead against my open palm. "Not me, Sebastian. But that's besides the point...how are you?"

My eyes trail over to him. Miguel's smile is gone and his face emits utter sadness now. His eyes are downcast, his mouth set in a frown.

Miguel shakes his head, as if pulling himself out of his thoughts. "Not good, way worse than last time." Miguel rubs a hand down his face, dragging his features down with his hand.

"Oh, god." I mutter. "I'm so sorry, Miguel. I know that doesn't help, but really, I am. Is there anything I can do to help? Maybe I can come and see Aisha, play with her for a bit."

"No," Miguel shakes his head. "She's not at home. She's at the hospital. It's so much more aggressive this time that she has to stay at the hospital since there isn't one close by here."

"Seriously?" My jaw drops at his words. Miguel only nods. "Jesus, is there anyway she'll get better?"

He only shrugs. A sigh leave my mouth as I look away from him. His sadness is making me sad. I've said it before, but Aisha deserves none of this. She's a sweet little girl and I hate that the Patel family is hurting.

My eyes trail around the cafeteria. Students are still up, getting their lunch, but most are sitting. In a couple of months, I won't be calling this school my school anymore. Soon it'll just be a place I had went to and graduated from. With that thought in my mind, my eyes trail over to the door just as they swing open. Sebastian walks in, Cody following behind him. While Sebastian has a glower on his face, Cody looks undeniably smug. His arms are crossed as he walks close behind Sebastian.

Though I can't see what Cody is saying, it's definitely getting under Sebastian's skin. If his clenched fists are anything to go by, then Sebastian is getting angrier and angrier by the second. Cody speaks again and this time, Sebastian stops in his tracks. Even from here, I can see his face turn red in anger, his jaw clenching. He turns and more words are exchanged.

Suddenly, the smirk is wiped off of Cody's face as Sebastian lands a punch to his face. A collective gasp is heard as Cody stumbles back. He catches himself, lifting a hand to hold onto his jaw. The cafeteria is now quiet, all eyes on Cody and Sebastian. Never in my over ten years of knowing Sebastian, have I seen him fight before.

Cody says something else and that proves to be catastrophic as Sebastian launches himself at him. The boys tussle around, Cody flipping them so that he has the advantage. I stand from my chair as Sebastian's head snaps to the side from Cody's punch. He lifts his arms to block anymore punches coming towards him. All of a sudden, Sebastian pushes Cody off. He quickly stands before leaning over him and driving his fists into his face.

Teachers come running into the cafeteria. Sebastian is pulled off of Cody, but he struggles against them. Sebastian's chest moves rapidly, his nostrils flared as he takes deep breaths. Even from here I can see a trail of blood leaking from his nose and falling over his lips and into his mouth, staining his teeth. His hair is in disarray, the strands plastered against his forehead. His foot kicks out, trying his best to reach towards Cody who has decided that he won't fight.

The two get led away from the cafeteria. My eyes finally move away from the spot and I see multiple people with their phones out, recording what has just happened. My heart thuds painfully against my chest as I look at every phone I see out.

This can't be good.

*Hey! Wow, intense, huh? Did you guys expect a fight to break out between Sebastian and Cody? I mean, Cody did out Sebastian forcefully, indirectly causing for Sebastian's father to lash out at him. Also, Cody is kind of a jerk...well, tell me how you guys liked this chapter? Please let me know with a comment and don't forget to vote. We're almost to the end. Thanks so much for reading!*