Good and Gone. Chapter 2

I felt high when I read an unknown number's message while driving. Erm, carefully though. I watched the road. 

Hey beautiful ;) ugh, moms givin me the third degree. Save me!! Lmao :)

I immediately saved the number and locked the message on my iPhone 5. I didn't text back until I was parked in my driveway.

Wow.. Quick, travel through the phone.

I felt so lame as I reread it and reread it. I sighed and gathered my book bag and keys. I walked inside slowly.

"Where the hell were you? If you wanna keep driving that car, you f*****g tell me or your mother where you are!" I put my keys on the keyring rack. I shifted my gaze to my stepdad sitting in the den. His words didn't even scare me anymore. It was so totally normal that I was already petrified when I walked in the door.

"Yes, sir." I started up the stairs when he stopped me.

"River, don't think you'll get away from me so easily. Where the hell were you?" My stepdad, Eric, said in an aggregated tone. I sighed and bit my lip.

"I was at the library. I wanted to get a book and they close at 4," I told him. He grunted and waved me away. I hurried upstairs and set my bag down. I checked my messages.

Jfc, I think I might barf, she's talking about safe sex. I'd rather be with you

That made me smile really big. I text back quickly.

Actually, I don't think you wanna come to my house. I don't even wanna come here.

As before, I read the messages over and over. I laid back on my bed and closed my eyes. I focused on breathing instead of my mom coming home and laughing at something Eric was saying. God I hated him. I unlocked my phone as soon as I felt it vibrate.

Why not? I think it'd be awesome to see where you live. That way I can stalk you ;) haha how about tomorrow?

I bit my lip and closed my eyes. 

Sure, since my parents have to work.

~

I waved goodbye to Rose as she drove away after dropping off Pierson. She was enthusiastically waving and smiling. After she was gone, Pierson turned to me and grinned. 

"Uh, I'll give you a tour. " After showing him around my two-story house, not mansion, we went up to my room and sat on the bed. He looked around and it made me really feel self-conscious about my room. The walls were black, but they were plastered with band posters. Some were falling down though. I had a huge stereo system that seemed to take up  half the room, a hamper with clothes bursting out of it, a dresser, a closet with sliding doors, a black comforter, and a cream colored carpet that was very old and dirty.

I looked back towards Pierson to find he was closer than I thought. I blushed. He was still lost in thought looking out the window. 

"Is it because people at school? Do they make fun of you or something?" He burst out. I flinched.

"Sometimes they do." His lips tightened. He turned towards me looking so upset.

"Is that the reason?" I shifted on my bed.

"No." 

"Then what is it? What would make you wanna do it to yourself?" He asked.

Suddenly from downstairs, I heard a call, "River, why the hell isn't the Murci in the f*****g garage?!" I jumped. I looked at Pierson with panic.

"Hide in the closet, now," I hissed. He looked frozen. "Please." Footsteps stomped on the stairs.

"You better be home! I swear to f*****g god!" Pierson nodded and stood, heading into the closet. I closed the door and quickly sat on my bed. "River.." I looked up from a book I pretended to be in the middle of. 

"I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"Are you f*****g deaf? Never mind, I'll go put the goddamn thing in the garage." I nodded at the fierceness in his blue eyes. He turned to leave. 

"I, uh, thought you were at the gym today."

"What the f**k did you say to me? Are you saying I have no right to be in my own house? Last I f*****g checked, I took you and your filthy mother off the streets!" Then, fist met my skin for the millionth time. He would've kept on, if my mom hadn't yelled up asking about going to El Patio for lunch. "We're going out. Tell us if you go anywhere or if anyone comes over." I felt my heart in my throat as I thought of Pierson in my closet. I swallowed it and nodded.

"Yes, sir."

I waited until I heard footsteps out the door before I opened the door for Pierson. He immediately wrapped his arms around me.

"Oh my god, River! Is that why?"

"I think you should leave," I whispered. 

"No, I think you've been alone long enough." Tears ran down my face. I cried so hard my face got numb. I squeezed his body against mine. He was the only one who cared, and I just met. "Why don't you tell your mom?" I shook my head as a sob came out. I rubbed my face.

"She stands up for him.." I whispered.

"What about the police?" I pulled away a bit, but he kept his hands on my small hips.

"The last time I dealt with police wasn't so great..." He had a questioning look in his eyes. I shook my head and sat down on my bed. "Maybe you should go.."

"I'm not leaving you alone like this." I sighed and put my head in my hands. I felt like puking. I had a muffin for breakfast because Mom forced it in my throat. I felt that bile come up to the back of my throat and I gagged. "Oh god, oh f**k, please don't.." I gagged again. "Ugh!" He looked around and found a trash can. He put it in front of me, and I emptied my stomach into it. Pierson rubbed my back in up and down motions, and circles. "Are you alright?" I breathed for a few seconds and shook my head no.

"No... I'm really not..." I sobbed. "I need help." Pierson brushed my hair out of my face.

"I'm here. I'm here for you," he whispered as he leaned up to my ear,

"I'll protect you from that f*****g a*****e, and I'll get all the kids at school to back off. I promise. I can't stand to see someone so perfect to do this. To feel this." I sobbed and leaned on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry baby." I cried again. 

I've cried in front of this boy more times than I've cried in front of my mother. 

"Thank you," I said shakily. "I'm gonna go brush my teeth. This is disgusting." He nodded. We walked down the hallway, which overlooked the den. I glanced down there and felt the memories flood of Eric beating me senseless. I took a right and turned on the light. Pierson stood against the doorframe. I expertly brushed my teeth to where there was no trace left of vomit. I rinsed and turned to Pierson. Then he ambushed me. He put a hand on my cheek firmly but softly and wrapped the other arm around my thin waist to pull me into a deep kiss. Our lips moved in sync and his hand flexed his grip on my plain black T-shirt. His other hand moved from my cheek to tangled in my hair. Since I realized standing there like a loser was getting old, I readjusted him to the wall beside the door. I pressed him against it and put both of my hands on his waist. I gripped him tightly and pulled him close with my hands, but pressed my body against his to the wall. I pressed my tongue into his mouth and I felt something twitch in his jeans. I made a small noise in the back of the throat and pulled away. We were breathing deeply. I moved my hands to his neck. His skin was warm under my hands. Pierson grinned at me. The rest of the afternoon was spent talking about random things like our favorite stuff or memories, and random make out sessions. It made me forget Eric's face for a while, and that was the best feeling anyone's ever given me.