Chapter 8

Evan's P.O.V.

I had a suspicion Annie's mother had been abusing her for years but I wasn't sure. Her mother looked like an ordinary woman who was all smiles when she was in front of strangers. Even me. But every time I saw new bruises on Annie's face, I knew immediately that her bitch mother had something to do with it. And the other day, Annie slipped and told me about her mother hitting her for breaking the old pair of glasses. Even though I was the one responsible, she got punished for it.

Anger flickered inside my brain when I saw the deep cut on her forehead this morning. It was still raw and red.

"What the hell happened to your forehead?" I said and brushed her hair aside to take a closer look at the wound.

"I fell and hit my head on the staircase railing," she said quietly. Seems legit but I didn't believe the fact she just 'fell' for one second. It made me upset.

"And how do you just 'fall' inside the house?" I asked and stared at her intently.

"Um...well...I tripped. I can't see well so..." she fidgeted uncomfortably. Ah, so now she is gonna use the whole 'I can't see well' excuse. Nice one.

"Whatever, did you bring the homework? Or did the fall make you more stupid?" I barked.

"N..no I have it right here," she said and handed me the worksheet. My heart twitched a little. She still did what I asked even though she was injured. And here I was, insulting her like a shitbag.

"Does it hurt?" I grazed my finger near her wound.

"A little," she said meekly.

"I don't really think you are stupid, you know that don't you?" I said and looked at her tenderly. She had her head bowed, not making eye contact with me. She nodded. Her glasses fogged up.

"Why the hell are you crying for? If your hear hurts that much, go home. Or the hospital," I said.

"I don't wanna go to the hospital," she said.

"Then go home," I suggested.

"No! I can't skip school. My mom will..." she didn't finish her sentence.

"Then we can go to my house. Go tell the nurse you don't feel good so you don't get in trouble for skipping," I said.

"B...but won't you get in trouble?" she asked.

"Don't worry about me and worry about yourself. Come on," I said and took her arm to take her to the nurse's office.

"She is not feeling good and I'm her only ride home so can you release us early?" I announced once we were at the nurse's office.

The school nurse looked at me then looked at Annie. I could tell she was suspicious of me as I had the reputation for being a no-good bully.

"Are you okay honey? Is he bothering you?" she asked Annie.

Wow! She is just gonna say that right in front of me? Rude bitch.

Annie shook her head. "No no it's not him! I hurt my head earlier so I feel a bit dizzy. He lives next door so he wanted to help," she said.

"I see...okay. But promise to take her straight home or should I call her mom?" she gave me a dirty look. Miserable old hag.

"No please! Don't call my mom! She is at work, I don't want to bother her," Annie said quickly.

"I am taking her straight home," I said.

She gave us one more suspicious look then wrote us an early release note and we were on our way.

I punched the stirring wheel in frustration. I'm sick of people assuming the worst in me even when I'm trying to help someone.

"A...are you angry at me?" Annie asked. Her eyes looked big and worried through those glasses.

"What? Why would I be angry at you?" I looked at her with surprise.

"Be...because you have to skip because of me?" she asked.

"You poor innocent child, do you really think I give a fuck about school?" I chuckled. "Stop worrying about it," I patted her head and continued to drive.

I took her to my house since she insisted she couldn't go home. She hesitated a little at first but then came inside my room. She had been inside my room many times before. What was she getting nervous for?

"Go lay down on the bed if you aren't feeling good," I ordered. I removed some clothes I just threw it on the bed and straightened the sheets for her.

"Your bed?" she asked shyly.

"Yes? Who else, my mom's? Jeez. Why are you acting all shy for? It's not like I'm gonna try anything funny to you. I don't even look at you that way," I said. It sounded harsher than I intended.

"Oh...okay...I'll go lay down then. I don't feel so good," she said quietly and laid down under the blanket and closed her eyes.

I went to the kitchen to see if I could get her something to eat. I don't know why I cared to be honest. It's not that I liked her but today, I kept feeling like I need to take care of her. Maybe I should take her to the hospital. Who knows how hard she hit her head.

I made her a sandwich and went back inside the room. She was still laid down with her back turned towards me.

"Annie I made..." I stopped as I realized she wasn't listening. She fell asleep.

I leaned forward and took her glasses off. She looks like a little girl when she sleeps. I smirked. I covered her with the blanket some more, then proceeded to leave but she caught my arm. I thought she was sleeping?

She pulled me towards the bed and I almost fell on top of her. "Annie, what the hell?" I said.

"Mm...hmph..." she answered with her eyes closed. Is she sleep grabbing me?

She pulled me towards her so I gave in and laid down next to her. I put her head on my arm and pulled her closer to my chest.

What am I doing? I thought as she snuggled against me.