tw: abuse
—

Tyler down was someone that Melanie Dempsey genuinely enjoyed the company of.

Although the two ran in completely different crowds, they never missed the opportunity to send each other friendly smiles when they saw each other in the halls.

When a particular picture of Hannah Baker and Courtney Crimson made its way around the school, Melanie almost instantly knew who was behind the photo.

She vividly remembered the day that Hannah walked up to her in the halls rambling on about how she had a stalker.

The two weren't necessarily friends when this happened as Hannah had already dropped her the second she realized that Melanie and Clay were a little closer than most boy/girl friends.

Either way, something told Hannah to go to Melanie about the issue, only for the girl to tell her that she should probably contact someone who could gain control over the situation.

Melanie appreciated that Hannah trusted her enough to  come to her about something so serious, even after their falling out. But Mel wasn't exactly sure what the Baker wanted her to do.

Why not go to an adult, rather than someone you dropped because you thought she had a crush on your crush?

Melanie never understood that.

Then again, no one really understood Hannah like Clay did.

But based on the tapes, maybe he didn't understand her either...

—

"Melanie!"

The girl smiled at the sound of her name, prepared to greet whoever needed her at the moment, only for her grin to fall once she realized who it was.

"What, Hannah?"

"I need your help."

Melanie shrugged slowly, "I don't...really give a shit."

"Please, Mel." Her voice was desperate, something Melanie hadn't picked up on before, "I could really use a friend right now."

"You mean the same friend that you dropped because you thought she had a crush on someone that you've been practically making a fool of everytime you pick another guy over him?"

It was harsh. Melanie knew that. But the Dempsey teen was actually upset that Hannah could ruin their friendship and suddenly want her help.

"Mel—"

"You do understand that i'm dating Scott, right?" She rhetorically asked, "God forbid he wasn't the most understanding person on the planet, Hannah. I could've walked into school heartbroken a few days ago and they would've been your fault. All because you've created this ridiculous narrative that i'm willing to cheat on my boyfriend with someone i've seen as a brother since eighth grade."

"I-i'm sorry, okay? I wasn't thinking."

"Clearly." Melanie shut her locker, turning to the girl one last time, "Look, i'm sorry but there isn't much I can do. Try talking to your mom, or something."

—

The sound of a thump is what woke Mattias up that morning.

Or more specifically, multiple thumps. Along with shouts of 'shut the fuck up' and 'you're such a piece of shit'.

And based on the empty bed in his and Montgomery's shared room, he would assume it was his brother and father arguing. He could pick up on the sound of his mother's footsteps, probably going to help Estela get ready.

He rubbed his head with a groan, yawning softly as he stretched out his limbs. His shirt road up slightly, exposing his waist to the cold air of the bedroom.

Letting out a soft groan, Mattias began to move around, the arguing outside getting louder by the second.

He knew he only had a few minutes to get ready for school before Monty shouted for him to hurry up or he'd get left behind. And though he knew he wouldn't actually leave him, the threat always worked as Mattias was just as eager to get out of the toxic household.

Rushing to the bathroom, he slid past his mother, brushing his teeth quickly before making his way down the hall.

Muttering a soft 'good morning' to Estela, Matti ran a soft hand over her hair, pushing her forward softly. As the siblings made their way to the living room, the fight between Monty and their dad didn't seem to be dying down.

"You're always fucking drinking. Do you think I want to find out that my kid got in a car accident? Huh? What if you had died?"

"I think everyone would've been fine, dad."

Mattias frowned.

Sure, he and Monty had their differences, but they were brothers before anything. He'd be crushed if his brother died.

He looked down at Estela, the younger girl clinging to his hand.

"And you." The attention was directed towards Mattias, "Who was that bitch I saw you driving around with yesterday?"

Melanie. His heart fluttered at her name, only for him to quickly snap back into reality.

His jaw clenched, "She's not a bitch."

The reaction was quick, Luiz's hand lifting from its limp position, curling into a fist before he hit his son in the face, "Watch your fucking mouth."

Mattias grunted at the impact, his hand leaving Estela's as he stumbled.

Out of pure instinct, he shoved him back, Luiz's back hitting the wall behind him.

He regretted it the second he did it, only Monty noticed that look on his face.

Luiz swung again, this time making contact with his youngest son's nose.

Estela gasped, her eyes darting to her mother in hopes the woman would step in.

She didn't.

Isabela De La Cruz was much more frightened by her husband than her children were. She had dealt with him years before Monty came along.

The woman had been threatened with death by his hand one too many times for attempting to stop a fight between the man she married and the children she birthed.

It had gotten to the point where she was convinced Luiz would actually kill her.

She loved her kids dearly, so much so that she simply watched.

Monty, however, couldn't watch his brother get beaten any longer.

Handing his keys and backpack to his sister, he immediately sent her outside to start the car. Estela was young, but she wasn't stupid, this had happened enough times for her to practically be a professional at it.

She darted out the house without a word, only one last glance at Mattias' limp body. Her heart ache at the sight of his bloodied face.

Monty eyed his mom in disgust before he shoved Luiz with enough force for the man to land on his back.

He stepped over Matti's legs, pulling the man up by his shirt before throwing him again.

In the close proximity, Monty could smell the alcohol wafting from his father's breath. He could also see the blood seeping from his nose, along with the bruise forming around his eye from Mattias' hits.

While a part of him was proud that his little brother defended himself so well, the other part of him shook his head, knowing that neither of them would be able to return home for the next week and a half.

Montgomery had his secret spot, but he wouldn't dare to put Mattias in the position to sleep in a tent with no food or water.

Not unless you count what he smuggled from school.

And as much as he hated them together, he knew there was only one person he could go to for help.

He shook his head in thought,

We haven't even had breakfast yet.

—
A/N: - we all have that one family member we literally despise with our entire being, right?
- hope you enjoyed this chapter!
- suggestions are always welcome :)