Chapter 13- Not Edited

<Collin's Perspective STILL!>

"Can you take me to my house, real quick? It is just down the road; I need to grab some clothes if I am going to be staying at my grandparents."

"Yea, sure thing!" I was slightly anxious to see what her house looked like. I assumed it was lavish, unlike mine.

I know what you are thinking... How'd he end up driving a really nice car if his family doesn't have dough in the bank? Well, it is kind of a funny story, although my mom's side may not think so. My grandfather and I had always been close, he had a death scare a little while back that took the family by storm. True colors were shown, and he realized that 3/4 of his kids and those grand kids came running, but only when they thought he was dying. So, he took them out of his will because of the greed they were bound by. He still hasn't died yet, to which I'm thankful because he has ALWAYS been there for me. We have our annual fishing and camping trips, and he even started a 529 (College Fund) for me. Although, I hopefully will get a full ride for football... Fingers crossed.

However, he hasn't saved it all like he used to. He gave me my car for my 18th birthday; he had owned it for a while and claimed he wanted a new color. And slowly he's been donating the rest towards Mom's free clinic, because she refuses to take his money for herself. So, this is his way of helping her. My family consists of the standard two parents and two kids. My brother is currently away at college where he is a senior. My dad doesn't make a lot of money as a flight paramedic; his salary is about $39,000 a year. While my mom may be a doctor, she is the owner of a free clinic so she doesn't make much either. Most don't really know about our money or lack-there-of. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of my parents' professions, but it isn't something I want to broadcast everywhere.

We pulled up to this gorgeous house that probably cost more than two border walls. She quickly jumped out of the car but looked back to assure me everything was good. "I'll be back in five minutes, ten tops. Thanks again."

I looked at the clock as a reference and cranked up the radio. 10:37.

The song Bohemian Rhapsody was playing.

The song Don't Stop Believing was playing. 10:49

The song Sweet Dreams was playing.

The song Hotel California was playing.

The song Jessie's Girl was playing. 11:02.

At this point I was concerned. Why would she take more than twice as long as she said she would. I get that she was a girl, but she wasn't that girl, you know? But, do I check the house for her safety, at the risk of her privacy? My mind went back and forth like a merry-go-round. Finally, I decided to check things out; hopefully she wouldn't kill me for it later.

I dashed over to the right of the house, where I saw Andy disappear to. The door was slightly ajar; so I cautiously pushed it open fully.

***Just a few minutes before... Andy's Perspective***

I reached the door handle and strode into the mudroom, like I did a million times before. I didn't even bother taking my shoes off because I knew I wouldn't be here long enough. I looked around the room, suddenly wishing that I had dragged Collin in here with me. I had been alone plenty, but not since the trial. Especially in this room. Half of the time, I would get ambushed here on my way home from practice. Tired from the day, I was even more of a target to his fists of furry.

What if he escaped? What if he came back for revenge, blaming her for being put away? Would I ever be saved from fear? Even a baseball bat can do so much to bring back the pain. But it never really went away in the first place. The nightmares. The desperation to escape this life. It was as if this room was built from blood and tears. At that moment, I couldn't handle the thoughts quickly running through my mind.

Too much to handle, I found myself loosing my balance. Distracted, my clumsiness got the better of me and I was tripping over Dustin's shoes. And that caused me to hit the ground, hard. For the second time in the matter of hours I was on the ground at the mercy of someone else. Blacked-out and not remembering the moments afterwards.

***Back to Collin's Perspective***

Lying just inside the entrance was Andy, virtually limp on the floor. The only sign of life was the steady rise and fall of her lungs. Without a second thought I picked her up and carried her back to my car. You could tell she worked out often; she may look small, but she wasn't the lightest. I mean, I completely get it... Muscle weighs more than fat, and even her arms were well built against my chest.

She smelled like the sea.

After she was safely buckled in, I went back and closed the entrance. Taking the key she had quickly left behind, I made sure it was locked and strode back to the car. I then assessed the situation. I had a passed out girl, who may or may not have a concussion. I could take her to the hospital, but there may be a better plan. I could drive to my house, about half an hour away, which may take longer but hospitals have waiting times. Not only that, but what about all of the health questions and information the doctors ask me that I can't answer. Plus, my mom is a doctor who is home by now. She can get her seen quicker and I could probably get to my house in 20 minutes in this type of situation. So, for the second time today, I was in the middle of a situation with an unconscious teenager, one that was hot none the less.

On the road again. To my house, with the rival quarterback passed out next to me. And so our journey begins...