Lillian adapted to her usual mask around her mother. Hiding her true feelings deep down inside, "I was out with a friend."
"One of those theaters nerds I take it?" Her mother snarled.
Lillian didn't respond. Her mother stalked towards her, "I said it was a theater nerd wasn't it? You really should quit, kid. You'll never make it far."
Lillian looked her mother straight in the eye. She tried to clam her racing heart, "I won't quit."
Her mother snarled and raised her hand. Lillian readied herself. Her mother's hand whipped across Lillian's face, the sound resonated through out the house. A second blow came to the gut sending Lillian sprawling to the floor.
Darren came rushing through the door and was next to Lillian immediately, "Lillian are you okay?"
Lillian nodded, holding her stomach. Lillian's mother looked at Darren suspiciously, "And who the Hell are you?! This is a personal matter!"
"Well ma'am technically speaking child abuse is a legal matter, not a personal one," Darren retorted still trying to help Lillian.
Lillian's mother glared at Darren as he helped Lillian to her feet. She stalked up to the pair and socked Darren in the jaw and Lillian in her head.
Darren stumbled backward but quickly caught himself. He didn't know what to do, he could never hit her back unless it was to protect Lillian.
"Why would you do that?" Darren asked Lillian's mom anger filling his kind eyes.
Lillian's mother looked to Darren not answering his question, but noticing the fire in his eyes, "You're no theater geek."
She looked to Lillian who had returned to the floor, "Maybe there is hope for you after all slut."
She kicked her daughter and Lillian groaned.
Darren ran and pushed Lillian's mom, he was seemingly no longer in control of himself and was acting only on the instinct to protect the one he loved. Wait… Loved?
He pushed her harder than he should have and immediately felt guilty. After all he was a football player, he was too good at pushing people.
Lillian's mother stumbled back and fell on the floor. She studied Darren, this was no kid Lillian had picked up off the street.
Lillian looked at Darren and croaked, "Y-you d-don't have to d-do this."
Darren knelt down by Lillian, "And you shouldn't have to… I didn't mean to hurt her."
Lillian nodded. Her eyes were growing tired, "I… Understand…"
Lillian's mother retreated further into the house, she would have to think of a plan to get rid of this new boy.
"Hey, stay with me here Lillian." Darren picked her up and laid her on the couch.
Lillian kept her eyes trained on Darren. Anything to keep her mind from the pain. His eyes, hair, hell even his cute little nose.
"It's all going to be okay," Darren reassured putting a fake smile on his face to comfort her. "Where do you keep your medicine I can get you something for the pain."
Lillian muttered, "Bathroom. Down the hall door on left."
Darren kissed her forehead and ran to the bathroom to rifle through the meds in the cabinet. He found ibuprofen and ran it back to Lillian.
Lillian was still on the edge of consciousness when Darren returned. She wanted to tell him she's had worse, but her voice had stopped working.
He gave the medicine to her and grabbed a bottle of water sitting on the table next to them. Darren helped to sit upright on the couch. "Take this, it'll help with the pain."
Lillian nodded and took the pills. Her eyes felt extremely heavy.
"Don't go to sleep okay, I need you to stay with me." He cupped her face in his hand.
Lillian felt Darren's hand. She leaned into it and fought to keep her eyes open.
"Where did she go?" Darren asked not expecting an answer as he took Lillian's hand.
Lillian shrugged, she didn't know. Though she had an idea, she squeezed Darren's hand and tried pointing towards the backroom.
"In there?" Darren asked for assurance.
Lillian nodded as her eyes closed.
"No-No, C'mon Lillian. Stay with me." Darren shook Lillian's shoulders.
Lillian attempted to open her eyes, but they refused to cooperate She instead shakily moved one of her hands onto Darren's shoulder and squeezed it.
"It's okay-You're okay." Darren kissed Lillian on the forehead before walking slowly towards the backroom as quietly as possible.
