Read Online Don't Tell by Mercy Amare - Free Book Online

last night?” I asked her, remembering that they hung out.
    “ Last night?” She looked confused.
    “ You know... When you hung out with her?”
    She looked at me curiously. “I haven't heard from her since school yesterday. I was babysitting my little cousins last night.”
    I felt my heart sink. Lucy had lied to me, but why?
    I felt more certain than ever that she was hiding something. Tess started to say something else, but I ignored her. I raised my hand and told my teacher I was feeling sick. I bypassed the nurses station and walked right out the front doors of the school. I didn't care that I would probably get in trouble for ditching school, I had to check on Lucy.
    The drive to her house from the school was only 10 minutes, but it felt like an eternity. I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I wanted to kick myself for not pushing her more this morning. I should have known that something was up.
    When I climbed through Lucy's window, I found her asleep on her bed. Not wanting to wake her, I laid down beside her gently and waited impatiently for her to wake up.
    I watched Lucy as she lay there. She looked so small, and so vulnerable. I wanted to take her in my arms and hold her, protect her. I knew that I had to come up with a solution quickly. I couldn't handle Lucy being here one more night. I needed her safe.
    I weighed my options in my head. If I told, Lucy would hate me forever, but at least she would be safe. If I didn't tell anybody, she would be stuck here for at least 6 more months. She would continue to be his punching bag. And next time she might not be ok. It might not just be a black eye, or a bump on her head.
    My chest hurt because I knew what I had to do, and I knew that if I did it, I would probably lose her forever. But, in the end, I knew my pain would be worth it to know that she was going to be ok.
    My decision was made.
    I just wish it didn't hurt so bad.
     
    …
     
    Lucy
    When I woke up, I had never been in so much pain in all of my life. Each breath hurt worse than the last. I was beginning to think my dad did more than just bruise my ribs with his last blow. But I didn't know what to do. I couldn't tell Ian. I couldn't tell anybody. Going to the doctor or hospital was out of the question this time.
    Finally, I opened my eyes. I was surprised to see Ian sitting right beside me. I tried to set up, but I couldn't.
    “ What's wrong?” he asked.
    Tears filled my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Crying would only make me hurt worse. “I'm ok, really. I must have the flu or something,” I lied. I wanted to tell him the truth so bad.
    “ Look me in the eyes and tell me that you're ok.” He saw through my facade.
    I looked him in the eyes, prepared to tell him I was fine, but I couldn't. I felt a tear run down the side of my face. “Do you hate me?” My voice came out in a whisper.
    Ian gently wiped the tear from my face. “I could never hate you,” he said in a soft voice. “But you need to tell me what's wrong. I can't make it better if you don't.”
    I closed my eyes, not wanting to look at him anymore. He looked so hurt, and so scared. I  couldn't hurt him. Not again.
    “ Look at me,” he demanded, so I opened my eyes again. “Please, tell me the truth. What is wrong?” He gently stroked the side of my cheek.
    Without a word, I pulled up my shirt, showing Ian the very black bruise on my stomach, ribs, and back. It looked worse now than this morning. I watched him as he examined the bruise. He did say anything for about 2 minutes. From his expression, I could tell he was furious.
    “ He hurt you again.” It wasn't a question.
    I nodded, unable to speak. I didn't want to cry. “Will you hold me?”
    He scooted closer to me, and I put my head on his chest. I listened to the steady sound of his heart beat as he ran his fingers through my hair.
    Each breath was a struggle, but with Ian there, it was better.
    “ How bad is it?” Ian asked breaking the silence.
    I