(𝐓𝐖 - 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞)

"Mum?" I shout, the door shutting behind me.

I slip off my shoes quickly, kicking them to the side before wandering into the living room. There she is, pulling a DVD off the bookshelf while having a swig of her beer.

Jacob is at the park, hanging with some of his friends and I had said that I'd look after Mum.

There are lines of cocaine on the table, a million put-out cigarettes and at least ten empty lager cans laying around.

"Have you been drinking?" I ask, stepping closer.

That was a very stupid question. Of course she has.

"What- what do you think? Huh? Of course I have! It's the only thing that distracts me from you." She slurs, dropping the DVD to the ground before turning to me.

"Distracts you from me?" I scoff, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You and- and... what's his name? Jay? John?"

She can't even remember her own son's name.

"Jacob. Your son's name is Jacob." I say and her face drops.

She moves closer, standing a little less than a metre away. She sways slightly before taking another drink for stability.

"I know his name." She spits, "I don't need you to tell me. You don't even fucking know what one plus one is. You're just that stupid."

"Mum-"

"No. Be quiet. Your teachers keep-"

"Mum. Please, don't start-"

She smacks me, really hard. Harder than expected. I fall to the side, crashing into the table, my other cheek smashing onto the glass.

"You just spilt my lines!" She shouts.

I tense my jaw at her stupid statement. I attempt to push my self up but she pushes me back down. I fall backwards onto the carpet and she marches over, now standing thirty centimetres away.

I glance up and her face is different to usual. She's terrifying. She looks as if she is about to murder someone - murder me.

I can feel two bruises forming on either cheek and I scurry away from her on all fours until my back hits the wall.

She storms after me, her feet making surprisingly loud stamps. She has regular adidas trainers on and they hurt like a bitch.

She plants the first kick in my stomach, making me slide sideways down the wall. The second is in the same area and she repeats this several times.

And, for once, I'm not fighting back.

For the last time, she boots me in the nose, causing blood to run down onto the carpeted floor. I shuffle slightly to hide the stain so she won't get angrier and give me more bruises.

Nothing more is said as she walks away into the kitchen and I hear her open another beer bottle. I take this opportunity to run out the house, sliding my feet into my shoes, my heels sticking out the top.

I slam the door shut behind me, locking it with my spare key. I shove my hells into my shoes fully and then I look down at my body.

I push my back against the door while I lift my t-shirt that has blood stains on. There are four massive bruises, two on my ribs and the other two are lower down. I move to the side so I can see myself in the reflection of the window.

I have two bruises on my cheeks and a few cuts from her jewellery. My nose is still bleeding, no matter how many times I wipe it away.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." I sob, wiping my eyes profusely, trying not to cry.

I pull out my key chain that held my keys. On it was Missy's. She had given me a spare one just in case she got blasted at a club and needed taking home. I want to go to Cory's but I can't.

I finally make it to Missy's, with my hood up and head low so no one will notice my face. I unlock the door after knocking few times and receiving no answer.

"Missy?" My voice cracks as I call out, "Missy!"

Still no reply so I sit on the sofa, waiting for her to get back from where ever she is.

The kitchen door opens slowly after a few minutes and Missy walks through, slipping off her jacket. She still hasn't noticed me while she locks the door.

"Missy." I say quietly, fiddling with my fingers.

She whirls round, "PEYTON! You scared me to death."

"I'm sorry. I- I just..." I trail off, taking a deep breath.

She moves over and sits beside me. She removes my hood and I turn my face to her.

"Oh my god." She breaths, "Peyton, who did this?"

I hesitate, "I can't tell."

"Yes, you can. I'm your best friend. Peyton, who did this?"

I don't say anything and just lift my top slightly to reveal the other bruises. Hoping to avoid the question.

A hand flys to her mouth, "Peyton, oh my god. Was it Cory?"

I lower my top quickly, "No. Of course it's not him. He would never."

"I wouldn't put it past him." She grumbles.

I ignore her, "I didn't know where to go so I came here because I- I have a spare key."

She cups my hands, "Peyton, I don't know what to do. Should I take you to Cory's? He'll know what to do."

"No. Don't take me to him. He doesn't need another burden."

She shakes her head, "Peyton, you are not a burden to anyone, especially him. He adores you."

She stands and picks her jacket up before standing in front of me, her hand held out.

"Come on. I'm taking you to his. I really wish I could help you but I've never been in this situation before. Wait," She moves her hand back down to her side, "Did Cory actually do it and that's why you don't wanna go over?"

"No. He didn't do it. I- I promise."

She holds her hand out again, "You're stuttering again. You stutter when you lie."

"No I don't." I purse my lips.

"I know you don't." She chuckles, "I just wanted to see what you would say. Now, come on."

I look down at her hand before taking it and standing up.

"Can you walk?"

"Yes, otherwise I wouldn't of been able to get here." I laugh but immediately stop once my ribs begin to ache.

"I was just askin'." She opens her door and we go through.

"It's open day tomorrow, sadly. You, Riz and Cory are doing something for the rugby team. Did you know that?" Missy asks, her arm looped gently in mine.

It's obvious that she was trying to change the subject, not that I mind.

I furrow my eyebrows, "Open day? Why would I be doing it?"

"Somethin' about you being the only girl on the team."

I roll eyes, "I- I knew I should never have gone anywhere near that fight."

"Which way is it?" She asks, looking in both directions at the intersection.

"Left. His street is just past here."

"Okay. Now, promise me, Peyton, that he has nothing to do with this." Missy points at my body.

"Missy, I promise that he has nothing to do with this."

She nods but I can tell she is still unsure.

We arrive at his house and Missy knocks on the door repeatedly, until Cory finally opens it. He rubs his eyes, clearly only have woken up. It's dark outside so he can't see the state of me.

"Peyton? Missy? What are you doin' here?"

I open my mouth to talk but Missy stops me.

"Tell me, Cory, did you touch 'er?" She moves closer to him, "Did you hit 'er?"

"What? No. Why?." Cory shakes his head, his eyes going between Missy and I in confusion.

"See, Missy I-" I begin.

She hold her hand up and continued attacking Cory, "I don't believe you, not after what your Dad to 'er."

"Missy, stop!" I growle, pulling her back to my side, "He didn't do anything. He didn't touch me. He never would. Listen to us, please."

She sighs, "Okay, fine. But if I ever find out that he has injured you then he will be hearing from me."

"That's fine." I smile, soon stopping because of my cheek bones, "Now, go home. You need some sleep."

"I-" She looks back at Cory then at me, "Fine."

"I'll see you around."

"Yeah, whatevs. Bye, babe." She waves while scurrying back down the street.

"What was that about?" Cory asks.

"Nothing," I lie. "Can I stay at yours tonight?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Thank you." I walk in, pecking him on the lips.

We walk into his room and I sit on his bed slowly, being careful as I sit up against his headboard.

"What was Missy talking about?" He asks, standing at the end of the bed.

"What do you mean?" I raise an eyebrow.

"About me hitting you. What's happened?"

"Nothing. Nothing has happened. I had just told her about your Dad and she was slightly worried." I lie, spinning my rings around on my fingers.

He shakes his head, "Stop lying. I know you too well. What's happened?"

"Can't you see?" I furrow my eyebrows.

"What? The cuts on your face? Wait, I-"

"Didn't you see them before?"

"I thought they were from rugby." He mumbles, walking round and sitting beside me with his legs crossed.

I lift my shirt and his face drops even more. Without saying anything he runs his fingers gently over each bruise, giving me small butterflies.

"Who did this?"

"Mum." I mutter, moving my shirt again.

"I told you. I fucking told you." He runs his fingers through his hair angrily.

"I'll be fine. Just, please... Cory look at me." I grip his chin and lift it up so our eyes met.

"Please don't make a big deal over it. I don't need - or want - that." I hold my pinky out, "Promise."

He smirks, "It's not like Peyton Evershed to do a pinky promise."

"Just do it." I roll my eyes and our fingers interlock.

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they've removed s1 and s2 from netflix >:( but at least it's still on All4