Look At Your Masterpiece [27]

Sara

I jolted up scared by Alex screaming.

"Fuck it man we have other places to be"Alex cursed slamming the door open.

I looked at him shocked. What the hell does he want in the morning?

"What the hell Alex get out!" I screamed at him.  But he didn't reply or move.

I was confused but when I saw where they were looking my whole body froze. I was wearing a tank top and shorts.

Everything was visible. The bruises the scars Everything.

"Get out!" I screamed at them.

"Oh my god Sara!" Asher said and that's when I knew they saw everything. I was doomed.

Tears started welling up in my eyes. Oh my god. Everything I was hiding for years is visible.

They were studying every scar every bruise. I wasn't able to read their facial expressions but I could tell they were disgusted and disturbed by their pinched eyebrows and frozen state.

They were looking at me like I was some alien. A disgusting creature that is not from their level.

I stood up and started pushing them out of the room. Shouting and crying for them to get out. The moment they were all out I locked the door.

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

What am I going to do? They saw everything. What was I thinking sleeping in shorts? What am I? A dumb person.

I didn't know what to do. Alex started banging on the door. "Open this door, Sara! Or I swear I will break it!" Alex shouted banging on the door.

I was standing behind it refusing to open. My back pressed against the door feeling every bang to my spine.

But suddenly he was stopped. And I heard Asher mumble. "Give her some time man". And I was never more appreciative of him than now.

I slipped to the ground and hugged my knees close to me wanting to just disappear from the planet.

I stood up and went to the bathroom. Maybe they will just not talk about it. I started applying foundation on my wrists as usual when I finished I got ready for school, put on a long-sleeved shirt and a hoodie paired with black jeans, and walked down the stairs.

I wanted to look presentable, at least, because I was meeting my family for the first time. I knew the boys wouldn't mention it in front of guests, so I was a bit relieved.

The moment I reached the bottom of the stairs I saw the boys sitting in the living room alone. Shit!

"Where is everyone?" I asked. Trying to act like nothing happened.

"They had to go for a business trip that's why the family reunion is rescheduled" Alex explained.

"Okay then I'm heading to school," I said trying to get away and escape the questions.

"Sara sit the f*ck down now!" Alex shouted. I froze. I always freeze when someone shouts at me.

"Alex don't!" Chris warned him but it was late. I was pissed. I'm the one hurt he doesn't get to shout at me like that I don't owe him anything.

Marched to him until we were toe to toe. "Look here, Alex! I am so tired of you shouting and ordering me around. You are mad and I try to get it but no. You gotta learn how to talk to people okay? I am not the type of person you can shout at whenever you like anymore ." I shouted at his face poking his chest.

"Now ask and talk properly what do you wanna talk about" I said sitting on the couch.

Alex was stunned. Asher was the first to speak.

"Why is your body c-covered in bruises?" He said trying to find the good words to say it.

I laughed slightly. "Is that your question Asher? I was in an accident. Of course, I would get some bruises" I lied.

"But the doctor said you didn't have any bruises," Chris said suspiciously.

"Well, the doctor was wrong," I replied.

"But why didn't you say anything earlier they look painful" Alex finally spoke.

"I was in a car accident, Alex. What doesn't hurt?" I replied a bit relieved knowing that they were starting to believe my lie. I stood back up to leave feeling a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

"Don't lie Sara" Asher suddenly said.

"I'm not" I lied.

"Yes, you are Sara! F**k it! These are old bruises from weeks ago. We are not stupid we can differentiate!" Asher shouted in my face.

Oh no! Think Sara. THINK!

"It is nothing, Asher," I told him calmly.

"It is Sara! You are fucking hurt! You are full of bruises! Who did this to you?!" Asher asked.

And that just seemed to turn a fuse in me. I was furious.

"You don't wanna know Asher," I told him sternly trying to calm myself down.

"He does Sara! We all do" Chris told me sternly.

"You guys did it!" I shouted at them.

I took off my jacket furiously leaving myself in only a T-shirt. I lifted my t-shirt only a bit so some of my stomach was visible. Only some though not showing the giant bruises my dad gave me. He always used to hit where the sunlight didn't shine.

"You see this one" I yelled at him.

"Sara don't!" Chris said to her.

"No! No! This is when Asher ordered some girls to punch me around like a punching bag" I shouted at him.

"And this one is when Alex tried to choke me until unconsciousness" I shouted pointing at my neck.

Alex looked down but I marched at him at grabbed his face firmly but not enough to hurt.

"Don't look away! Look at your masterpiece! Look!" I shouted at him.

"And let's not forget about you, Chris! You see this one. This is when you thought I was ears dropping to your phone call" I said pointing at the bruise in my hand.

"And the-" I started but was cut off by Asher.

"Stop please" he said to me. His eyes were glossy. They all looked ashamed. I put back on my jacket and zipped it up.

"I told you. You didn't wanna know" I told him. "Can we please go to school we are going to be late?" I told them and Alex nodded.

We all grabbed our bags and stuff and headed to the door. Everyone got in their car and I went with Alex.

The ride was silent. But not the comfortable silence the awkward silence.

Alex kept shifting uncomfortably. And I sighed. "Ask what you want to ask Alex," I said sighing.

"Uh nothing," he said.

"I can see that you have questions. Just ask and if I don't wanna answer I won't" I told him honestly. If I don't wanna tell I won't.

"Why do you never fight back? Like, I know you can, but you just don't" he asked and a chuckle escaped my lips.

"I'm in school on a scholarship and I need a perfect record to maintain my scholarship. Plus I needed a good record for college" I told him truthfully.

"Needed? Don't you wanna go to college anymore? " He asked confused.

"No I still do but unfortunately my record isn't as perfect as it was" I told him.

"Why? You always get good grades" he asked.

"I lost my cool with Chloe and now I have a suspension on my record. I can't get a scholarship with a suspension on my record" I told him.

"Well that's not fair she is the one that started it" he said parking the car. Asher and Chris already were there. Resting their backs on Chris's car with crossed hands.

"I know but she is the principal daughter after all. I got all the blame" I told him exiting the car.

I got out of the car only to be pinned back to it by my neck. I looked up to see Adam.

Asher

Why is your body c-covered in bruises?" I asked. We needed to know.

"Is that your question Asher? I was in an accident. Of course, I would get some bruises" Sara said laughing slightly.

Liar. These bruises are old. I know how to differentiate between old and new bruises. I have a couple of them from my own.

"But the doctor said you didn't have any bruises," Chris said suspiciously.

"Well, the doctor was wrong," She replied. Well obviously.

"But why didn't you say anything earlier they look painful" Alex finally spoke. Are you serious Alex? Sara telling people that she is hurt? Really?

"I was in a car accident, Alex. What doesn't hurt?" She replied and Alex nodded. She stood up to leave. Really?! He bought that.

"Don't lie, Sara," I said calmly trying to keep my cool. How are they so stupid god?

"I'm not" She lied. How can she lie so smoothly? This was my final straw.

"Yes, you are Sara! F**k it! These are old bruises from weeks ago. We are not stupid we can differentiate!" I shouted at her standing up too.

She looked alert! She was trying to think of a lie. An excuse. Anything.

"It is nothing, Asher," she told me calmly.

Really that is what she is going for. She thinks I'm just gonna let that go like that.

"It is Sara! You are fucking hurt! You are full of bruises! Who did this to you?!" I asked demanding an answer.

"You don't wanna know Asher," she said sternly. Like that would scare me.

"He does Sara! We all do" Chris told her sternly.

"You guys did it!" She shouted making all of us freeze. What?!

No no this can't be true.

Sara took her jacket off and threw it across the room. She slightly lifted her shirt.

And there were the bruises. My heart sank at the view. Did we stoop that low?

The blue and purple bruises covered almost every inch of her stomach.

"You see this one" she yelled at me pointing at one of the bruises.

"Sara don't!" Chris said to her.

"No! No! This is when Asher ordered some girls to punch me around like a punching bag" she yelled at Chris.

Oh my god! I never knew those girls could hit this strong. I was trying to prove a point. How could I?

"And this one is when Alex tried to choke me until unconsciousness" she pointed at her neck shouting at Alex.

Alex looked away but she went to him and made him look at her. Yet she was so gentle like she was holding a toddler's face.

"Don't look away! Look at your masterpiece! Look!" She shouted at him.

"And let's not forget about you, Chris! You see this one. This is when you thought I was ears dropping to your phone call" she told Chris pointing at the bruise on her hand.

"And thi-" she started but I couldn't take more so I interrupted her.

"Stop please" I begged her locking eyes with her. We get it we destroyed her. She put down her shirt and picked up her shirt wearing it.

"I told you. You didn't wanna know" she said to me.

"Can we please go to school we are going to be late?" She said to us. She is still saying please. Even after everything we caused her. How can someone be so naive?

I whipped off the stupid tear that left my eye. We all collected our stuff. Sara went with Alex and we headed to school.

I hopped into my car. The motorcycle is undergoing some repairs so I'm stuck in my car for the moment.

I started driving to school but Sara's picture kept popping into my mind. I mean she looked horrible.

How did we let ourselves go this far?

How didn't we notice how far we went?

How far we pushed her. How hurt she was because of us.

Me and Chris arrived at the same time. We parked and we both leaned back at his car.

"How did we not notice?" Chris asked and I didn't know what to say.

"I'm thinking the same thing. How could we be such a******" I said to him.

"They are here" Chris said pushing himself off the car when he saw Alex parking.

Suddenly came to us and he looked furious. "Has anyone seen Sara?" He asked us.

"Yeah, what is going on?" Chris asked and I raised a questioning eyebrow at him but before he answered Sara exited the car.

He launched at her pinning her to the car by her neck. We all were shocked.

"You did this you bitch!" He shouted at her. Sara looked horrified.

"You bitch you did that on purpose! Did you think not coming will make me forget about it!" He screamed at her tightening his grip.

"Adam get your hands off her" Alex told him sternly. What is he doing? What could she have done that made him so mad?

"You don't know what she did!" Adam told him tightening his grip more if that is even possible. Sara tried to free herself but she accidentally scratched Adam's hand.

"You bitch!" He shouted raising his other hand to slap her. She closed her eyes jerking her head to the side. Preparing herself for the impact of the slap.

But Alex grabbed Adam's hand twisting it back making him release Sara. Adam shrieked in pain falling to the ground.

Sara started coughing uncontrollably trying to breathe properly but she just couldn't catch her breath.

"WHAT the hell! Alex get your hand off me!" Adam shouted at Alex.

"Who do you think you are to touch her?" Alex spitted at him.

"She made me fail my assignment she did it on purpose" he said through gritted teeth.

"Get out of here Adam" Alex told him releasing him. Adam stood up and started walking away backwards.

"This is not over Sara!" He told Sara giving her a dirty look. Who was still on the ground trying to catch her breath.

"Adam" Chris warned and he walked away.

We all walked to Sara. She was breathing heavily.

"Are you okay?" Alex asked her.

"I'm fine," she told him coughing.  Liar.

I tugged away some pieces of hair from her face to have a good look on her neck and my breath hitched.

Blood was dripping from her neck. It looks like Adam dug his nails deep. And a bruise has started to develop over and around the old one.

"Fine, my a**. You have blood pouring off your neck." I told her.

"We need to take her to the nurse's office" Chris said and Alex nodded.

"I'm fine not my worst bruises. It is just some small cuts" she told us standing up.

"I'm late for class" she continued.

"You are not going anywhere with cleaning those cuts Sara" I told her sternly leaving no room for arguments.

"Fine! Can you please open the car" she told Alex. He looked at her confused but opened regardless. She opened the passenger seat and slid in.

She opened the mirror and took a look at her neck. Then she proceeded to take a first aid kit from her bag.

"Do you carry that everywhere?" Alex asked.

"You never know when such things like this happened. And if I went to the nurse every time this happened they would call my father. And we don't want to worry the old man do we? I meant didn't. Didn't want to worry him." She said her smile fading while she talked about her dead father.

She cleaned her cuts not even wincing when she applied the alcohol. She then took out a makeup bag.

"What do you think you are doing Sara?" Alex asked her.

"I'm gonna cover the bruise up" She looked at him weirdly. Like he was asking a dumb question.

"Why?" I asked.

"Too many questions will come and it will get Adam in trouble. Plus I don't want to worry Mr and Mrs Carter" she said applying a colour correcter or something on the bruises before covering them up.

"Well, he should get in trouble! He choked you!" Chris told her.

"Well, I deserved it. I should've just done his assignment right instead of ruining it on purpose." She said putting the stuff back in her bag and exiting the car.

She thinks she deserves it! No one deserves such a thing. How can she say that?!

We all looked at her. She can't be serious.

"I will apologise to him later. Okay? It sounded like a good idea then. I'm sorry that you guys had to watch this." she told us. Is she serious? She is apologizing for getting choked in front of us.

"You can't be serious," Alex said to her.

She looked at him confused.

"You are not apologizing for him," Chris told her.

"Why? I was in the wrong. I could've told him no instead of doing it wrong on purpose. But he cornered me. I was in no position to tell him no. He would have hurt me" she told us looking at the ground shamefully.

I went to her and lifted her chin gently. She flinched at first but then her eyes poured into mine.

"You are not in the wrong Sara. You never were"  I told her and a single tear left her eye as her lips quivered.

She was on the verge of breaking down so I backed away. She took a deep breath in and let out a shaky one. She then aggressively wiped her tears away.

"We are so late." She said looking at her watch. I looked at mine and the class only started three minutes ago.

She grabbed her bag and started fast walking to the class. We all walked behind her. We are all in the same class.

We arrived at the class and Sara knocked gently on the door. "You are lat-" the teacher started but stopped when she saw it was us and Sara.

"Ms Hopes, I mean Ms Carter. It is great seeing you back. I would let you this time without a warning get in. You too boys" she told us.

Sara gives her an appreciative smile before getting in. She sat and I sat beside her with Alex and Chris in front of us.

Adam was glaring at Sara and she just shifted uncomfortably. The teacher started explaining the lesson.

And Sara immediately started taking notes. But she wasn't focused she was just writing whatever the teacher said or wrote.

"Sara," I said to her.

"Sara, are you okay?" I asked her again but this time touching her hand and she flinched away slightly.

"I'm sorry didn't mean to scare you" I told her.

"It is okay. Do you need something?" She asked. "No just wanted to ask if you are okay. You look a bit off" I asked her.

"I feel bad. I know I shouldn't but I still do though. I need to apologise to him" she said and I almost scoffed.

"Sara, he is the one that needs to apologise. Not you. You are not apologizing to that a***** !" I ordered her, and she sucked in a sharp breath and nodded.

I let out a sigh. I should watch how I talk to people. But seeing her so worked up because of him is making me more mad by the second.

The class ended with no more interactions with Sara. She avoided looking at me and I just let her be.

We had chemistry next. We all walked to the lab. The teacher explained that our lab partners were going to be the same seat partners.

I looked at Sara and she seemed relieved. Why is she relieved? I was about to ask her when I saw Adam's minions. They were all glaring at Sara.

The teachers started the lesson and explained to us what today going to be like. And showed us how to do the experiment.

We start working. We were given two chemicals and we needed to know which one contained the highest concentration of aqueous ammonia. We were told that aqueous ammonia was the only alkali in the chemical.

We both put on our goggles and lab coats.

I took one of the chemicals while Sara took the other. We each had instructions and we followed them.

First I bought a conical flask and then added 25 cm³ of the chemical. And then we both added methyl. The solution changes to yellow. Then we start adding Hcl using a burette in drops. Then we recorded how much volume it took to change each chemical to orange.

Sara's chemical needed more Hcl to neutralise the chemical so hers had more ammonia.

We recorded our results and then waited for the others. The teacher came and checked the experiment. She gave us a nod and walked away. Sara just sat next to me fidgeting with her hands.

Soon the bell rang and everyone exited Sara stayed until Adam's minions started leaving. We stayed back with her.

"Look, Sara, I'm sorry I shouted at you earlier. I just don't like that you let people walk over you like that." I told her the moment there was no one left but us and she just nodded.

"It is okay. You were just frustrated" she told me with a tight fake smile.

"See that's what I'm talking about it is not okay. I got mad at you for nothing and you are not even mad at me" I told her. Why is she so nice?

"What do you want me to say, Asher. That I hate it when you order me around. That I wanted to punch you right there and then. What will that change? Not like you will stop! So what's the point?!" She shouted at me standing up.

"I apologised," I told her. I never do that.

" and I said it is okay why push it" she told me collecting her stuff quickly.

"Okay, I'm sorry," I told her again.

"It is fine Asher," she said sighing.

We all walked together to the cafeteria. Not before putting away the lab coats. When we reached the cafeteria's door Sara froze.

Sara.

I froze. If I meet Adam he is going to make me regret my life choices. "Why did you stop Sara?" Chris asked me.

"I think I'm gonna go and sit at the back of the school,"  I told him. I'm gonna go hide in one of the bathroom stalls.

"Bullsh*t, you need to grab something to eat" Alex said to me. I was about to open my mouth to say I was in fact not hungry.

"You can sit with us." Asher suddenly said.

"What?" I asked confused.

"He can't touch you when you are with us, Sara. That is why you don't wanna come right?" He said. How did he know?

I wanted to lie and say that is not the reason but Alex spoke. "Whether it is right or not you are sitting with us, " Alex said putting I hand over my shoulder.

At first, I tensed but then relaxed because whether I liked it or not. He is my brother. And I needed to get used to the fact that he is handy. At least he is not hurting me.

He pulled me with him. The whole cafeteria was looking at us. At me. He walked me to their usual table.

He then and Chris went to bring us the food. I told them I could get my own but he said no. And that I'm injured. And Asher will stay with me for "protection" his words not mine.

Some people were looking at me with envy. And others with pure disgust. And the whispers started.

'What is she doing with them ?'

'I bet she slept her way through'

'They never let anyone sit with them

'What a sl*t'

I started playing anxiously with the hem of my sweatshirt. And then started snapping the elastic band on my wrist. *snap* again. *snap* and again. *snap*

*snap*

*snap*

Suddenly a hand came to my view and he gently grabbed my hand stopping me from snapping it again. His gorgeous green eyes poured into my dull blue ones.

"Don't. Don't listen to them, okay?" He talked to me like I was some toddler.

I pulled my hands away. "I don't know what you are talking about. " I lied.

"Stop lying Sara. I can see right through them" he told me. He doesn't know anything. He can't tell a thing if I don't want him to. No one can. I'm an expert in this.

Before this conversation can go any further. Alex and Chris came with the food.

They placed a tray in front of me. It had a couple of slices of pizza and chocolate milk on the side.

I murmured a thank you. I was too tired. But still started eating a slice slowly. I'm not very hungry all of a sudden. Like my appetite just flew out the window.

The boys were having small talks. I didn't dare to speak unless I was spoken to.

I know it is pathetic that I'm still scared of them. Even though I always give a brave face they scare me to my core.

I don't how they can hate someone and bully him on a daily bases and then suddenly act all friendly with.

I feel like this is a trap. That in any second they are gonna lash out at me. Like if I say anything wrong I'll find myself pinned to the wall. And that thought alone scares me.

And let's not forget about Adam. I refuse to believe he is letting me out of the hook that easily. He must have something planned.

I was brought to reality when someone grabbed my hand and I flinched. I looked up to see the boys looking at me worriedly.

"You zoned out, we tried calling your name but you didn't answer. Are you okay?" Alex asked.

I quickly gave him a firm nod. I noticed that Asher's hand were still on mine. I quickly pulled away.

"You kept snapping the band on your wrist without realising. Are you sure you are okay? " He explained.

"I'm fine guys just zoned out" I reassured them with a small fake smile.

I looked down at my food. I ate half my food and drank a bit over half my milk so I was pretty full.

"How did the food cost?" I asked Alex and Chris.

"Why are you planning on paying me back?" Alex snorted. I am actually. When he saw the serious look on my face his smile immediately dropped.

"Wait you are?! There is no way I'm letting you pay me back" he said almost immediately.

"This not up for discussion Alex," I told him trying to sound stern.

"I'm your big brother you can't order me"  he told me.

"Since when did you see me as your sister Alex. I'm paying for my own food with my own money" I told him. The bell rang in the middle of my sentence.

His smile seemed to drop but it is the truth. I don't want him to be my brother out of pity. I searched through my bag and took out my emergency money.

I pushed a twenty and a five dollar bill in front of him and stood up to leave. "Thank you for inviting me to your table," I told them before standing up and heading to class.

I have no lessons with the boys nor Adam for the rest of the day so we can safely say it was quiet.

I was at the parking lot waiting for the boys by their cars. They insisted that I wait for them.

I was watching the students coming out when I was pushed to the ground. I looked up to see Adam.

"You thought I would leave you that easily." He said laughing. I tried getting up but he pushed me back with his leg. He then pinned my casted hand with his foot and added pressure.

I small grunt left my lips but I refused to cry. I'm not giving him the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

We then saw the boys approaching us but they were too focused in their conversation. He then kneeled to my level and grabbed my jaw forcefully.

"I promise you I will make your life here a living hell. I'm still not finished with you. I'll come back for you " he said before quickly walking away.

When the boys finally approached me they all gasped in reunion ."Sara, are you okay?" Asked Chris. He tried pulling me up but I groaned in pain.

"What the fu** happened ?" Asked Alex.

I ignored his question and tried pushing myself up.  But pain shot through my chest. He kicked my broken ribs.

"Can someone help me up please?" I asked no one in particular. Asher got out his keys and opened the car.

Chris was helping me up but whenever I try to move I feel like I'm being kicked again.

I was about to try for the third time when we heard Asher groan in annoyance. Embarrassment was visible in my face. I couldn't even stand up alone.

I was about to try again determined to do it when I felt myself get swapped to the air. I instantly clung to the person who carried me. It was Asher. I recognise this scent everywhere.

He gently placed me on the passenger seat of his car. All the three boys were looking at me and I immediately felt self conscious. Chris collected my stuff and put them back in my bag and put it next to me.

"What happened, Sara?" Alex asked again.

"It is really not that big of a deal Alex let's just go home. I'm fine" I told him. I managed to give him a small smile through the pain.

"Are you fu**ing kidding us, Sara. You can't even stand up alone. Fine, my a**" Asher told me.

"I can fight my own battles Asher" I told him.

"Your arm. It is bleeding" Chris suddenly said. I looked down at my arm and saw that it bleeding through the bandages. I sighed.

"We need to go to hospital" Chris said.

"No no, we don't. It is nothing" I told him.

"It is not an option nor a question Sara. We. Are. Going. To. The. Hospital. " Asher told me with a pause between each word. Like I'm a child that won't understand unless I'm spoken to slowly.

"Make me Asher Alexander Black" I hissed back. He can't order me. I won't let him.

Asher was about to say something back when Alex pulled him back. "It is either we take you or I'm calling Dad and Mom and they will take the next flight here and they will make you go," he told me.

"You won't," I told him.

"Wanna see" he challenged me taking out his phone. I didn't answer and looked in front of me.

"That's what I thought," he said. "You can take her. It will hurt her if we change cars. We will be right behind you" Alex told Asher and he nodded.

He closed my door and got in the car himself. We started driving and I didn't utter a word.

I kept looking out the window. "Does it hurt?" Asher suddenly asked. I looked at him.

"Not much" I lied.

"Why do you never admit that you are hurt? It is written all over your face." He said glancing at me.

"If it's written all over my face why ask?" I replied sternly. For a second I saw some emotion on his face but then he replaced it with his usual unreadable expression.

The rest of the ride was silent. And the guilt was eating me alive. I was mad and I took it out on him.

When we parked he was about to get out of the car when held his hand. "Wait".

He was startled at first. "Sorry," I quickly said releasing his hand.

"Do you want me to help you out?" He asked confused.

"No. I mean yes but that's not why I stopped you."  I told him. He was confused but slowly got back in the car and closed the car.

"I'm sorry" I blurted.

"For what?" He asked confused.

"For lashing at you. I was mad and in pain and I took it out on you which is not acceptable and I apologise" I said to him.

He looked at me and sighed. "You don't need to apologise Sara. I was the one underlining every act you do" he replied getting out of the car.

He walked to my side and helped me out. "Still I'm sorry," I told him before looking back at the ground.

Alex and Chris arrived shortly after and we walked to the entrance.

●●●●●●●●●●

After some checks, the doctor said he was already planning to call us tomorrow to get rid of the cast.

"How did you say you injured your hand again Ms Carter" the doctor asked.

"I fell down the stairs and on my hand" I replied as he wrote down some notes.

"As I said before the blood was due to the cast being broken and it sliced through your skin so no big deal just some scars that will fade eventually just don't forget to apply the cream I gave you twice a day okay?" He said, and I nodded.

"Where do I pay please doctor? " I asked him before he could leave.

"It says here that all the previous and upcoming appointments are pre-paid by... Mr Dante Carter" he said checking his notes.

Of course, it is.

We walked out of the hospital and to the parking lot. "How about you guys sleep over again since I'm alone," Alex said suddenly.

"Sure why not" said Chris while Asher just shrugged.

Then each one got into their car. The ride home with Alex was silent.

"Alex" I spoke and he hummed in response.

"Just wanted to say I'm sorry about the way I talked to you in the cafeteria. You were trying to be kind. I just don't like owing people stuff." I told him truthfully.

"You don't owe me anything, Sara. You're my little sister whether we liked it or not, we are related." He told me sighing and looked back ahead.

What a gentle way to say you are forced to do this out of principle. I didn't reply. Anything I will say right now either will hurt him or he will use it against me.

We arrived home and he walked to help me out but I declined with a small. "No need thanks. The medication kicked in" I replied he let me be.

We walked home and went directly to my room to change. I took a burning hot shower to relax my muscles and when I got out I let my hair to air dry and put on some comfy clothes.

I walked back downstairs to see the boys playing video games. I walked to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of water when I heard Asher talk.

"I'm hungry let's order something" he said groaning. "Sure man just a couple more rounds and we will go eat outside" Alex replied.

I walked out and said something I'm sure I'll regret later.  " I can make you guys something to eat" I said and they all turned to me.

"You are injured Sara you can't make food" Chris said and I rolled my eyes at him. "I sure can. Plus it helps me think and I need to think" I told him.

"Sure why not," Alex said and Asher just nodded.

They don't know how many meals I prepared while injured. I even prepared one with glass pieces piercing through every inch of my leg. This is light work.

I walked back to the kitchen. I opened the fridge to find steak. I searched the cabinets for the rest of the ingredients and wow this house is backed.

This may be the first time I'll do any recipe with everything available since Mom's death. This was her signature recipe she always made it on special occasions. I took out the stuff and started working.

I opened the oven so it could preheat. I then took three steaks and patted them dry with paper towels then seasoned them with salt and fresh ground black pepper.

I took out an oven-proof skillet which took me a decade to find put some oil in it and let it smoke then added the steak.

I let it for five minutes until it was well seared on the bottom then flipped it and immediately transferred it to the preheated oven.

I cooked it until the steaks were firm or medium rare. I then transferred them to a plate and covered it with foil to keep them warm.

Then I started with the sauce. I put the same skillet over the stove on medium heat and added butter and some olive oil.

Once the butter melted I added the mushrooms and stirred to coat them. When the mushroom released its moisture I added garlic and thyme leaves.

Then add cream, mustard and seasoning. I kept steering on medium heat until most of the water evaporated and it was thick and creamy.

I also made mashed potatoes for the side.

Then I  brought plates and assembled the steak and mashed potatoes and poured the sauce over the steak. Then add some shredded parmesan cheese.

I called the boys after putting the plates on the kitchen booth.  They all walked in and I gave them my back. I don't want them to think I'm waiting for a thank you.

"This looks good," said Chris and a small smile crawled to my lips. I started washing the dishes.

Alex took a bite and moaned and I let out a small chuckle. "This is so good. I think I will let you make us food daily" Alex said and I laughed.

"Yeah this is amazing where did you learn to make this," Asher said digging into his food.

My smile instantly dropped. It still hurts to think and talk about her. Asher seemed to notice the change in my features.

"Did I say something wrong?" Asher asked. I immediately looked the other way and continued washing the dishes.

"No no, you didn't. It is my mum's special recipe." I replied not looking at them as tears poured down my face.

"My foster mother's recipe " I corrected myself. Wiping the tears off my face. There is nothing to cry about.

I finished the dishes and turned back to them. "She must have been an amazing cook," Chris said and nodded with a smile. "She was".

"Why are you not eating?" Alex asked. "I did before I called you guys" I lie with a small smile.

He just shrugged and continued eating. Asher and Chris looked at me suspiciously.

"Where is your plate?" Chris asked. "I washed it" I replied letting out a nervous laugh and pouring myself a glass of orange juice.

"Do you guys want some?" I asked and they said no.

Asher's phone started ringing and he answered. " Hey man" he greeted.

"Sure I'll tell them know" he said after some pause.

"See you later man" he said hanging up. I took that as my sign to leave. He was going to tell them something and he probably didn't need me knowing.

"I need to go study I have a physics quiz after tomorrow" I told them and walked out and went to my room.

I got out my stuff and started studying.

I few hours had passed and my desk was filled with past papers and books. I closed the last past paper and took a deep breath in.

I walked out of my room and to the stairs. I was planning to make myself a cup of coffee and start with another subject when Alex called me over.

I went to them and found them all in the living room. "Yeah?" I said.

"Sooo we are thinking of going to a party  in like an hour and we want you to come with us!" He exclaimed.

"Oh no thank you" I declined. I don't wanna think about the last time I went to a party and what happened there.

"Well you don't have a choice your coming," Asher said angrily. What the hell is his problem? Alex gave him a harsh glare.

"He means. I can't go if you don't come. Dad will kill me if I leave you alone while you are still recovering" Alex told me.

"Well, I'm not gonna tell him," I said. "Oh trust me he'll know" he replied.

"Come on Sara it is just a party. We wanna go. Jonathan's parties are always amazing" Chris said to me. He never asks me anything! So it would just be mean of me to say no. But at the same time, I don't wanna go.

"Okay, I guess I'll come but I don't drink" I replied. And they just nodded.

"When are we going?" I asked. "In... fifteen minutes" Asher said checking his watch.

I nodded and headed back to my room. I changed my clothes into some trousers, a shirt and a leather jacket. I put my hair in a high bun and did some light make-up to hide my dark under eyes.

I don't want to embarrass them. This is the first time they have invited me to go out with them. I wanna look at least reasonable.

I walked down to them and they didn't seem to notice me. They were all fixed to their phones doing something.

"I'm ready," I told them and they all turned to me.

"You clean up nicely" Alex said standing up. And I just didn't know how to take that. Was it a compliment or a backhanded one?

Does he mean 'you usually look like crap but you are apparently capable of looking good' or does he just mean I look good.

But I just shook it off and went to the car with them. We all got in one car because they would be drunk and wouldn't be able to drive.

We took Asher's car because he was gonna be the sober driver because 'there is no way he will make me drive his car' his words not mine.

The whole ride took about fifteen minutes and let me say those were the worst fifteen minutes of my life. I had to listen to Alex's ugly voice singing the whole ride.

When we arrived we went straight to the house. It was a pretty big house. There were sweaty people in the front yard. Random people making out but the thing that I hated the most was the smell.

The strong scent of alcohol was everywhere. It made me feel sick. The look of drunk people gave me flashbacks of Dad's parties.  "Come on" said Asher entering the house with us behind him.

We were first greeted by a group of people. "You guys came!" A tall boy exclaimed happily. He was clearly drunk.

"Yeah we wouldn't miss it for the world" Alex replied.

"Ohh who's the chick" said another boy touching my hair. I slapped his hand away. "Oh, feisty!" The boy said that seemed to anger the whole trio.

"She is a.. friend!" Alex said standing between me and him. A friend. Not my sister. A friend that what I was.

We walked past them and we all sat in a coach. While Asher took a seat. They all met some friends and started talking. I took out my phone and started scrolling.

Some time passed I looked up and so no one was next to me. I stood up and scanned the room but I couldn't spot any of them. Tge was just so filled.

I started pushing through people searching for them. When I pumped into someone. "I'm so sor-" I started but when I looked up I saw Adam!

"Look who we have here" he smirked. I quickly started running away from him. I pumped into people and stuff but just continued running.

When I was on the other side of the room I took a deep breath. I thought I finally lost him when another boy came from behind me and put his hand on my mouth.

I panicked and my heart started to race. No not this again. I kept trying to get out of his grip but he just wouldn't budge. I kept looking around to see if someone could help me. But everyone was just too occupied in their own world.

I looked at the boy and he looked unfamiliar. "I have a special delivery from Adam," he said smirking and my eyes widened in shock.

No no no.

He picked me up and started walking up the stairs. I tried wiggling out his grip and kicking but nothing seemed to help. Hot tears started streaming down my face.

TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ R*PE

He pushed the door of a room open, he threw me on the bed and quickly closed the door.

I quickly stood up. "Help! I need help!" I screamed. "No one can hear you here girl" he said a sick smirk on his face.

"What do you want from me?" I cried. This can't happen again.

He pushed me back to the bed and pinned my hand above my head. I kept kicking and screaming but he just wouldn't budge.

He got on top of me pinning my legs between his knees. "You know Adam said I should just scare you. But I have other interesting plans" he said.

"Please please don't do this I'll do whatever you want" I begged but he didn't listen he just laughed.

"Wanna do me a thing?" He asked and I nodded quickly.

"Just shut up and take it like a good girl"  he said kissing me on the neck. I cringed and tried getting away but he was holding me too tight.

"Please. Anything put this.... please." The words choked out on a desperate sob. My body trembling with fear.

He leaned closer kissing my neck again and a sob left my mouth. "Stop acting like you hate this!" He secured both my hands with one hand. And slapped me across the face holding my jaw forcefully and kissing me.

and then started taking off my jacket.....

Author's note 📝

Sorry.......

I know I'm super late for this chapter but it was very hard to write. I'm so sorry hope you like it.