Your mind was filled with panic and worry as you drove towards JJ’s house; the phone call had ended abruptly with a loud thud and groan. He said his dad had been drinking, and so he called you for comfort—his girlfriend. Your heart was beating wildly as you pressed your foot on the gas.

You knew JJ’s relationship with his father wasn’t the best, but you didn’t know how far the abuse went with his dad; you didn’t know JJ was left black and blue after most arguments with his father; you barely knew his dad was physically abusive towards the poor blonde boy.

You pulled up in JJ’s driveway, quickly shutting off the car before you hurried inside. The slamming of your car door didn’t even register in your mind as you hurried up the front steps and went barreling into the house, prepared for whatever was behind the door.

“JJ?” you called out. You heard a pained groan come from the kitchen, and your feet carried you towards his kitchen. Your eyes landed on a bloody, black, and blue JJ, sitting up against his fridge as tears streamed down his face; your heart dropped as you dropped to your knees next to him.

“My baby…” you whispered as you reached out and wiped the blood from his busted lip.

“You shouldn’t be here, cupcake.” He whispered, his voice strained and ragged as he stared at you.