Chapter Eleven

*Madison's POV**2 weeks later*

Austin and I sat in his room looking through our homework. I laid on the floor on my stomach flipping through my history book and Austin sat on his bean bag chair trying to balance a pen on his upper lip.

I looked at him and smiled, then went back to looking through the book. "Austin, you're such a dork."

"It's Awesome Austin, remember?" He said.

I sat up and stretched, yawning and laying down on my back. "Are we doing anything tonight?"

I heard him move around and drop his pen. "Dammit." He whispered. "Um, I don't know. I was planning on going to Mark's tonight to watch the game."

I looked at the Slipknot poster on his wall. "Oh." I shook my head. "I'll probably just stay home then."

Austin kicked my arm. "What happened with you and Mark? You two haven't talked since that day."

I shrugged. "Nothing."

He scoffed. "Liar."

I sat up and looked at him. "Nothing happened. He was just disrespectful."

"How?"

I shrugged again. "He just kind of assumed I'd sleep with him. And when I told him no he got really pissy."

Austin nodded. "Mark isn't used to hearing no." He held out his hand. "Come here Mad Mads."

I took his hand and sort of crawled over to him. He wrapped his arms around me. "I'm sorry he made you feel disrespected. I would never do that to you."

I hugged him and buried my face in the crook of his neck. "I know you wouldn't. That's why you're my favorite." I smiled.

He rubbed my back and then pulled away. He was smiling. "Mads? Can I ask you something?"

I nodded. "Sure."

He blushed a little. "This might be a little out of line, but are you a virgin?"

I chuckled. "Why would that be out of line?"

He shrugged. "I didn't wanna be disrespectful."

I shook my head and sat down in front of him. "It's not disrespectful." I nodded. "But, yeah. I am a virgin."

He nodded. "Me too." He looked at me. "It surprises me a little with you. You're so pretty and confident."

I smiled. "I'm just waiting for the right person I guess. I want it to be romantic and with someone I really love. My best friend."

He smiled. "Your best friend, huh?" He winked and leaned towards me.

I giggled and pushed him away. "Shut up."

He jumped up and tackled me to the floor. "Come on! Gimme a kiss!"

I giggled and turned my head away from him. He got on top of me, his legs on either side on my hips and kissed my cheeks and forehead. I grabbed him and pushed him off me, rolling him over and straddling his lap. "I win." I said, sticking my tongue out.

He smiled and thrusted his hips forward. I squealed and laughed and got off his lap, laying next to him.

There was a knock on the door and then it opened. Austin's mom stepped in. She smiled at us.

Austin said up and smiled at her. "Hey, Mom. How was work?"

She shrugged. "Just the usual work." She looked at me. "Sweetheart, your mother's here."

I sat up and frowned. "What?"

She nodded. "She said she needs to see you. It's an emergency."

I got up and ran back Austin's mom, running downstairs and to the front door.

---*Austin's POV*

Madison took off and I stood up, gathering Madison's books.

Mom cleared her through. "Honey?"

I looked at her. "Yeah?"

She leaned against the door frame. "How long has Madison been sleeping over here?"

My face got red and hot and my heart slammed into my chest. "You knew?"

She nodded. "A few nights ago I came in here to check on you. Your door was locked so I unlocked it and came in. Madison seemed pretty cozy."

I panicked. "I'm sorry, Mom. I just didn't know what to do. Her parents are always drunk and then her dad tried coming in her room while he wasted-"

Mom put her hand up. "Austin. There's no excuse for this. I appreciate you trying to help, but she cannot sneak over here."

"Fine." I said.

She turned and walked away and I rolled my eyes.

After awhile of Madison not coming back I figured she'd gone home. I cleaned up my room and then fell asleep.

---*week later**Madison's POV*

Austin and the boys went to play baseball. I sat at home finishing my homework.

Someone knocked on my door, and then my mom came in.

I looked up at her. "What?"

She came over and sat on my bed. Something was different about her. She smiled and looked at the notebook in my lap. "Whatcha doing?"

I shrugged. "Chemistry homework."

She nodded. "I was good at chemistry when I was in school."

I sighed. "Mom, not to be rude, but what do you want? You never come in here."

She looked at me. "I'm getting sober."

I scoffed. "What makes this different than the last three times you said it?"

Tears filled her eyes. "Because. Some things have changed. And I'm afraid for us. So I'm going to rehab. You're going to stay with your brother back in Michigan. And when I'm done with treatment, I'll come back for you."

I looked at her and shook my head. "No."

She frowned. "No?"

I shook my head again and threw my notebook across the room. "No, Mom!" I was crying. "You can't just uproot me again! I finally found somewhere I belong and feel safe and happy. I'm not leaving!"

She frowned. "But, baby, you belong with me. I'll keep you safe."

I stood up and went over to my window, crossing my arms and trying to hold back more tears. "I'm not safe here, Mom. I'm not. I know you like to pretend that everything is fine. But I know you know what's going on." I started crying and my voice cracked. "I know you know what he does to me."

She shook her head. "Stop lying."

I was getting angry. "Don't act like its not happening!" I screamed. I pointed to my bedroom door. "Stop pretending he isn't hurting me! Be a mother for once in your life!"

She jumped up and smacked me in the mouth. "He would never do that! He's your father!"

I pushed her. "Don't hit me!"

She came at me and slammed me into the wall. "He's my husband! He would never!"

I spit in her face. "He's been doing it since I was twelve!" I hit her again and she moved away from me. "You knew it was happening this whole time, Mom!" I pushed her really hard. "I know my brother told you." I pushed her again. "When I was 15 and he came in my room and raped me, and he got me pregnant."

She started crying and fell on my bed.

I pulled my shirt up to show her the scar I had. "I was 15, Mom! I had to take myself to clinic and get an abortion." My voice cracked again.

She wouldn't look at me. She just covered her face and cried. "No!" She said.

I shook my head and walked out of my room and out of the house. I went next door hoping Austin was home. I knocked on the door and wiped my eyes.

The door opened and Austin's mom stood there. She frowned. "Sweetie, are you okay?"

I nodded, trying to lie, but I started crying again. "No."

She grabbed me and hugged me, then pulled me into the house. "Come on, let's talk."