Chapter Five: Unexpected Arrival
“Hello?” Trey answered the phone call. He almost didn’t answer, as he picked up on the last ring.
“Hey, babe! Are you busy right now?” I questioned, hoping he wasn’t - I was an hour into my drive to his college dorm.
“I’m never too busy for you, Ally. What’s up?” I blushed.
“Well… I’m taking a drive right now, and I was wondering if I could come see you. I just really need you right now…” I responded.
“Um, yeah, totally. Let me just clean up my room. Text me when you get here and I’ll come down to let you in.” Trey insisted.
“Okay, thank you so much, Trey! I’ll see you soon, I love you.”
“Love you, too, babe.” I hung up and continued driving. I would have to stop for gas soon. As if on command, my gas light came on and I began my hunt for a gas station. About five minutes later, I pulled into a small Marathon gas station and headed inside to pre - pay. The cashier took my money, but then looked back up slowly. I looked at her with a kind expression, but noticeably confused.
“What happened to your lip, honey?” She asked. She was older, probably in her 60’s.
“Oh, I just hit myself in the face with my phone by accident.” I fibbed. I felt bad lying to her, she seemed like such a kind lady.
“Oh, okay. Be more careful, sweetie!” She wasn’t convinced, I could tell. That’s when I realized a bruise on my arm was showing.
“Will do, ma’am!” I replied and started heading towards the door.
“Hey! Wait!” I turned around, “Whoever did this to you will get what’s coming to them. It’ll get better, I promise.” She finished, then flashed me a smile.
“Thank you.” I grinned back, then left without another word. I appreciated her concern - the world needs more people like her. I then pumped my gas and left as quickly as I could, just wanting to get to Trey’s.
I drove the last hour with my music blaring. I’m most definitely not a singer, but I sang along with the music with my windows down. Sure, it earned me some stares, but I couldn’t care less. I was “living in the moment” as some people would call it. I was soon approaching the college so I gave Trey a ring.
“Hey, baby! I’m almost there.”
“Okay, I’ll head outside to meet you.” He said in a monotone voice, then hung up. He never does that. Could this have something to do with how he was acting before he left? Pushing the thought away, I pulled in the parking lot of the college. Before he left, Trey told me he was in the second housing building, so I parked where I could find a spot close enough. Just as he said he would, he was standing outside and ready to meet me.
“Ally!” He ran over to me and picked me up in a hug, as if we didn’t just see each other yesterday.
“Hi!” I replied, kissing him on the cheek. He set me down and grabbed my hand, leading me into the building. Soon we reached his dorm, where three other guys were sitting in the living room, playing video games.
“Hey, guys. This is my girlfriend, Ally.” The boys turned around and gave each other a side glance they thought I wouldn’t notice.
“Hi, nice to meet you. We’ve heard great things about you.” One of the boys said. I looked up to Trey who smiled at me in return.
“Shh, don’t be spilling my secrets!” Trey laughed as he winked at me, “We’re going to my room. Shout if you need me.”
“They seem nice.” I piped up from beside Trey.
“They are. We met up a couple of times this summer to get to know each other before we moved in. We’ve become like brothers.” Trey was always very outgoing, sometimes too outgoing. He would be friends with the wrong people and end up getting himself into trouble. I, on the other hand, have always kept to myself - literally. I have no friends. Well, if you count Levi and Trey, then yes I do - a whopping two friends.
“Wow. So how was your first night?” I asked, changing the subject.
“It was good. I do miss my own bed, though.”
“Yeah, I understand.” I replied.
“So, how have you been?” He questioned, gently grabbing my arm and twisting it to look at the bruise. Trey looked at me sincerely.
“Just dandy.” I responded, pulling my arm back.
“He hurt you again, didn’t he?” I nodded and he put his hand to my face, running his finger over my busted lip softly.
“When I came home from your house, they cornered me.” I explained.
“I’m so sorry, Ally. I knew I shouldn’t have moved so far away…” He had that same guilty vibe about him that I felt last night.
“It’s okay, babe. I can handle myself. I’m a big girl!” I giggled. After playfully mocking me, he started laughing as well. I then remembered what I had to show him. I took out a folded up piece of paper - my drawing - and handed it to him. I had ripped it out while on the road.
“Oh, what’s this?” Trey unfolded it and smiled, “Our spot.”
“Yeah, I went there today before coming here. It took me two hours to finish. I’m gonna put it in our scrapbook.” I explained. He handed it back.
“It’s amazing, Al. I wish you would consider art school, really.” He punched my shoulder lightly and playfully.
“Trey, you know I can’t. My parents would never let me, and we don’t have the money for it right now. I would love to, but I just can’t.” I looked down at my shoes, suddenly finding them very interesting.
“But, Al, you can. I know this abuse is something you’ve always kept between us, but you really need to tell somebody. You could get help and go to college. I’m not going to just stand here anymore and do nothing while your parents beat you. I want you to be happy and follow your dreams, but I can’t help you do that until you stand up for yourself.” I was shocked. While saying this, Trey had started to raise his voice and get angry. I understood why, but he doesn’t understand why it’s so hard to do what he wants me to do.
“You don’t think I’ve tried doing that? Whenever I stand up to my parents, they beat me even harder. Whenever I try to ask for help, no one cares because they don’t ever see that side of my parents. You know what, Trey? I went to the police station once. I told them everything, but one of their friends saw me walk in and notified my parents. The police found nothing and didn’t do anything! My parents did something, though. They wouldn’t let me leave my room, Trey. My father bloodied and bruised me! I tried, babe. I tried to get help and dug myself even deeper. That’s why I could never go to college. I would mess up and end up right back where I started - a sad 18 year old that has no friends and no future! You don’t understand, Trey, but please try.” I fell into his arms with tears running down my cheeks in a constant flow. I felt so weak and so vulnerable, but it didn’t matter anymore.
“Ally, I’m trying to understand, I promise. It’s gonna be okay, I will make sure of that. Baby, you’re safe with me. You can even stay here tonight if you want to - if you need to. And if you don’t want to, I’ll facetime you tonight and make sure you’re okay. Just tell me what you need, Ally, and I’ll do whatever.” Trey was starting to panic. I had breakdowns like this all of the time in front of him, but this time he was starting to get frantic. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close. I started to calm down, but my heart was still beating a mile a minute. We stayed like this for a good ten minutes until I was fully calm. I glanced up at him with puffy eyes and tear streaked cheeks.
“You would really let me stay here? I don’t have anything with me.” I asked.
“Of course, love. We have spare toothbrushes and I have clothes you could borrow. We’ll figure it out.” Trey said.
“I really don’t want to intrude…”
“Ally, you’re not intruding.” He let go and got up. He started to get some clothes around for me, “Do you want to call your parents?”
“Yeah, I probably should,” I grabbed my phone off his dresser and dialed my mother’s number, “Trey?”
“Yes?”
“Can you call them?” I was still traumatized.
“Of course.” I handed him my phone and he pressed the call button.
“Where the hell did you go? Your father came in and told me you sped off after he told you no!” I heard my mother yell.
“Hello, Mrs. Victors, it’s Trey. Ally came to my college dorm to say hi.” He looked over at me, nervous.
“Oh! Hi, Trey. Sorry for answering the phone like that, I was expecting Ally. Where is she? I would like to talk to her.”
“She’s actually in the shower right now, she wanted me to tell you that she’s going to spend the night here tonight.”
“Oh, no. I’m sorry, but she can’t. She has to come home immediately. Please tell her that when she comes out.” Trey grabbed my shaking hand, mouthing “it’s okay”.
“Mrs. Victors, she’s spending the night here tonight. I hate to be the one to tell you, but she’s 18 and legally an adult. I understand that you’re still the parent, but she can make her own decisions now.”
“Trey, you can’t tell me how to parent -”
“I start school the day after tomorrow and would like to see her before I do.” Trey added.
“Boy, just because you’re a big and bad college student does not mean you can control my daughter -”
“Ma’am, I know. But this is probably the last time we’ll be able to see each other for a good month.”
“Ugh, whatever. Just tell her that she should expect consequences when she comes home.” She hung up. Trey looked at me with fear in his eyes and squeezed my hand.
“Babe…”
“Oh my God. They’re going to kill me when I get home.” I could feel my body shaking. The tears were building up again.
“Ally, it’ll be okay. We’ll figure it out, I’ll keep you safe.” He grabbed the clothes off of his bed and led me to the bathroom, “Shower and then we can eat. Okay?” I followed his orders and did just that.
We had a lovely dinner. Turns out his friends are really funny. We spent the night laughing and telling stories. Of course I embarrassed Trey with old childhood stories, and he did the same to me. I decided to go to bed before them - they were all in the middle of a campaign. I wished them goodnight and they did the same, Trey kissing my forehead. I went to bed smiling, trying to forget about going home. I was half asleep when I heard it, and drifted off before I could hear the rest.
“Does she know?”

Chapter Six: Homeward Bound
My dreams were distorted that night. I would dream of everything terrifying yet terribly confusing. I would wake up every hour it seemed, and Trey would be sleeping peacefully next to me. I needed to know what I didn’t. Could this be the reason why Trey has been acting so strange? I was itching with anticipation.
Trey woke up after me, for I had hardly slept at all. He acted as if nothing had happened or had been said the night before. He didn’t know that I had heard the beginning of a confession. When we were getting dressed that morning, I decided to question him.
“Hey, Trey?’ He turned around while pulling his t - shirt over his head.
“Yeah, babe?”
“I heard you guys talking last night. One of them asked if ‘I knew’, but I fell asleep after that. What were they talking about?” Trey got noticeably flustered, but tried not to show it.
“Oh, it’s nothing.” He replied, eyes darting from left to right.
“Then why are you freaking out?” I put my hand on his shoulder.
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are, babe. What do I not know?”
“It was supposed to be a surprise. They obviously ruined it, though. I was going to take you on a road trip next weekend for our anniversary. I know how much you love car rides.” Trey responded, calming down.
“Oh. Really?” I smiled, but I was still greatly confused. Why would he have such a dramatic reaction over a stupid surprise? Also, I’m not a dog - car rides? Really?
“Yeah. I’m sorry it got spoiled.”
“It’s totally fine, Trey. Don’t worry.” I hugged him, but he seemed distracted. I looked up slightly, him not noticing. His eyes were gazing off into the distance, his mouth parted slightly and his bottom lip red and cracked from biting it.
“Let’s go eat breakfast.” Trey insisted. We finished getting dressed and headed into the small dorm kitchen. The boys were already up and playing video games. This early in the morning? Wow.
“Morning, boys.” I greeted them. They all gave me a little wave back.
“What do you want to eat? We have pop tarts, cereal, and cookies.” I couldn’t help but giggle at his options, “What?”
“Nothing. It’s just, do you eat anything besides sugar?” He laughed and reached into the fridge, pulling out fresh strawberries.
“Is this better?”
“Yes!” I opened them and rinsed them off. Trey stood behind me, holding me by the waist.
“You know, I got them just for you. For when you come to visit. I know you love strawberries.”
“Babe?”
“What?”
“Strawberries don’t last as long as you think they do.” I laughed and he did the same. For a moment, I forgot that I had to return home soon. We ate our own versions of breakfast, occasionally talking about school.
“So, are you excited, you big senior?” Trey asked. It was a stupid question - he already knew the answer.
“Far from it.”
“Aw, Ally, be a little optimistic. You’re going to be away from home and you get to see everyone.”
“Who? Who’s everyone?” I have no idea who he could be referring to.
“You know, your friends?” Is he serious?
“Trey, I have no friends. You know that. I only had friends the last few years because of you. I was friends with your friends, if I can even call them that.”
“Well, why don’t you try to make friends this year? Be outgoing. I know you can be, Al.”
“When have I been outgoing? Never.”
“Ally, no one sees you the way I do. You are so fun around me, be that person at school.”
“I’m only like that because we’ve known each other our whole lives.” It’s not that easy…
“I don’t know what to say, babe. I wish I could help you.” He doesn’t usually act like this.
“It’s fine. But I should probably get going.” He was acting like a completely different person, and I really didn’t feel welcome anymore. The boys had been glancing back at Trey the entire time, giving him an impatient look.
“Okay, just call me when you get home. Oh, and keep me on the phone. That way your parents don’t pull any stunts.” He hugged me tightly, kissing my forehead.
“You aren’t walking me out?” I said jokingly. Well, it was kind of a joke.
“Do you want me to? I was going to call my dad to check in.” He had already pulled out his phone.
“Oh, no, it’s fine. Just say hi for me. I love you!” I assured him.
“I love you, too.” He answered, putting his phone up to his ear. I walked out, closing the door gently behind me, “Hey! It’s all good. You should come over.” I heard him say in a weird voice. Since when did he talk to his father like that? Huh, must be a homesick thing. I left the building and headed to my car. As I was pulling out of the parking lot, a familiar car pulled in.
I decided to drive in silence on my way back. Things seemed… different. As much as I wanted to believe it, I knew the whole road trip thing was a lie. I hate riding in the car, it made me feel trapped. It was like moving away made him forget everything. I really wanted to believe he was telling the truth, but I can’t.
I couldn’t get the thought out of my mind, so I stared ahead of me - hoping the endless, curvy road would distract me. I looked around me, gazing at the tall pines and shallow ponds on the side of the road. The way the sun shined down onto the road in front of me was astonishing, and made me smile to myself. For a while, I succeeded in distracting my panic stricken mind. When I pulled onto my street, I snapped back to reality.
I didn’t want to go home. I didn’t want to walk through that dark wooden door. I didn’t want to face my parents, because I knew how it would go down. I then remembered what Trey had told me to do, so I called him. It rang once… twice… thrice… then finally the last ring ended. He didn’t pick up. I called him again, thinking he was just in the bathroom or something. I was convinced of this until he didn’t answer my next two calls. I gave up, but kept telling myself that he was just busy and wasn’t ignoring me. After all, he wanted me to call him. Now I had to face my parents alone.
I slowly pulled into my driveway, nervous as ever. My parents were looking through the kitchen window, expecting my arrival. They looked angry. I got out and made my way inside, already flinching.
“Oh, look what the cat dragged in.” My mother sneered.
“I’m really sorry, mother. I just really missed Trey and he told me I could come over. I didn’t mean to upset-” My hand flew to my face.
She punched me.
“I don’t want any more of your stupid excuses. I can’t take it anymore. You either listen to us or you can pay rent,” I looked at her, stunned, “What? You’re a big 18 year old now aren’t you? You wanna make your own decisions and be grown, then start acting like an adult. So, make your choice, Allison. You wanna be respectful and behave, or do you wanna pay for your time here?” I didn’t answer at first, and that earned me another hit across the face.
“I - I - I don’t have enough money for r - r- rent.” Was all I could say. She put her finger under my chin, tilting my head up to look her in the eyes - those cold, heartless eyes.
“Then we have your decision. So, Allison, listen up. You will follow our orders. If you wanna argue then we’ll argue - but we all know who will win, so I wouldn’t even attempt it.” She pulled her finger away, her long fingernail scratching my chin as she did so. My mother strided away to sit on the couch next to my father. He did nothing, he wanted my mother to handle it, “Don’t just stand there like an idiot, go to your room!” She yelled, startling me and making me jump. This made them laugh, satisfied with the fact that they completely terrified me.
“I’m s - s - sorry.” I held back my stream of tears like a dam. The hypothetical dam could break any second - letting my tears break through, creating mass destruction. I walked up the stairs in shock. She hit me. She has never hit me. My father is always the one who does it. That moment was monumental for me.
I have lost all hope in my mother. I always thought that maybe she would wake up one day and realize what she and father had done was wrong. Any chance of that happening had been demolished by my mother’s sudden actions.
I reached my room and closed the door silently behind me, not wanting to give my parents another reason to be mad. I fell onto my bed, not even bothering to wipe my bloodied nose. I let the blood run down into my mouth, and onto my comforter. The blood would stain, but I didn’t care. I didn’t care about anything at the moment. Not even myself. I grabbed my pencil sharpener off my desk and tore the plastic off of my prize. I lifted the metal razor into the air, then pressed it onto my exposed thigh. Blood began to sprout from the cut, dripping down my leg. I craved the pain, the adrenaline rushing through my veins rapidly. I suddenly stopped myself, dropping the razor on the floor. Blood dripping silently.
The dam broke.

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