"They're in Norway for some sort of business trip." She mumbled, pulling out a carton of eggs and a gallon of milk. Shutting the door with her foot, she set the items on the counter. "They didn't tell me much, just kinda up and left." She shrugged, pulling a box, and a thing of oil from the cabinet above. She was a little distracted speaking slowly.
"Mm… when are they coming back?" Lucas asked, resting his elbows on the table. His entire figure was trembling slightly from his leg still tapping on the floor. "Or do you not know? It's fine if you don't, I'm just curious…"
Grabbing a bowl, she set it on the counter before turning the oven on. "Like I said, they didn't tell me much. I just know they could be coming back any day now. And frankly, I am not looking forward to that." She mumbled, opening the box she had pulled out of the cabinet.
"Why not?" Lucas asked tentatively. Melissa's parents seemed nice… they wouldn't hurt her like Lucas's father hurt him, right? "They're not… they're not doing anything to you, are they?" Lucas was definitely growing anxious again now.
Nothing. She said nothing about it, purposely ignoring his last question. "Do you like brownies?" She asked in a mock sweet tone, in attempt to cover the lump in her throat. "If not, I can make something else." She continued to talk, as if to distract him from the topic before hand.
"M-Melissa?" Lucas asked weakly. "Forget about the damn brownies. Please talk to me. I'm worried about you." He stood up and headed over to her side. "I care about you, remember? I don't want you to have to experience the shit I've experienced."
She didn't move, tears brimming her eyes. "It's nothing Lucas, things are just stiff between me and my parents right now." She whispered, trying not to choke. The warm tears steadily made their way down her cheeks, as she avoided looking at him. "I should be happy though, I have both my parents. I shouldn't be bothered by anything, because I have the supposed perfect life."
"They're not hurting you, are they?" Lucas gently brushed the tears from Melissa's cheeks with one thumb. Honestly, seeing her cry broke his heart. "And I don't care how good you think your life is. Anyone can have a fantastic life and they still have every right to have problems. Your problems are valid no matter where you are in life."
She couldn't help herself, and broke down in front of him. "They aren't ph-physically-" She choked, leaning back against the counter, holding her hands to her face. "V-verbal abuse has i-it's impacts…" She whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. "Th-the things they say to me, I-I can't…" Her breathing was sharp, and her voice gave way as she began to sob uncontrollably.
"Shh, it's okay…" Lucas pulled her into his arms and held her tight. "I know how that feels… just know that I think you're perfect just the way you are. You're perfect, and gorgeous, and talented, and funny, and helpful, and so caring, and any guy would be lucky to have you. No matter what your parents say, that's all true. You know we all care about you."
"T-that's what I'm afraid of!" She cried out, holding onto him tightly, burying her face into his shoulder. "T-they threaten me, to put me to bed with some guy I don't know. I-it barely has anything t-to do with my insecurities." She shook violently, her voice muffled by the fabric of his hoodie. "T-they want me out of th-the house, so badly they'll send me off with some stranger."
"Wait, what?" Lucas asked, confused and even more worried now. "What did they make you do, Mel?" Why do they want her to leave? What did they make her do? What's going on here that I don't know about? He wondered to himself.
Her face was red, and she gripped the front of his hoodie. "N-nothing yet, b-but it's come close…" She felt her tears slowly coming to an end, resting her head against him. Melissa was sniffling, her voice broken. "They want me out really bad." She mumbled.
"I wish I knew of a safe place we could take you…" Lucas sighed, hugging her a bit tighter. "Do you think one of our friends might be able to take you in? I'd offer my place, but it's definitely not safe. I'd hate for my dad to do anything to you."
"W-what worse could he do, than terrify me to death?" She asked in a mumble, pulling away from him. Her face was makeup streaked, and tear streaked. Her face had flushed red, and her eyes looked more solemn than usual. "I haven't told anyone that, and I wasn't planning on telling anyone."
"He could hurt you, Mel, and I'd never forgive myself if I let that happen." Lucas looked down at Melissa and sighed softly. "I don't want you to have to experience that too."
Sighing shakily, her eyes fell to the floor and she starred downwards. "Guess I'm stuck with them breathing down my neck until I'm out of the house." She muttered, fiddling with the tail ends of her braid while she chewed on her lip.
"W-Well, like I said… maybe one of our friends could take you in until one of the two of us is eighteen." Lucas pulled her close again, closing his eyes and trying to think of some solution. "I… I'll try to help however I can."
Resting her chin on his shoulder, she barely held on to him. The feeling of defeat, and exhaustion took over her. "Lu, please don't stress yourself over this, it won't make anything any better if you do." She whispered, half deflating in his arms.
"But… I want to help. I-I just don't know what to do…" Lucas rested his head against hers, useless ideas warring in his mind. He had no clue how to help, and he felt horrible about it. He didn't want Melissa to have to deal with even a fraction of what he had. He wouldn't wish that upon anyone.
"Relaxing would be a good start." She whispered, feeling the strength to hold him. His trembling tone broke her heart, she couldn't bare it. "We can work things out from there, just don't get all worked up." She continued to whisper, rubbing his back with the knuckles of her fist. "Please, for me."
"I'm sorry, Mel… I wish there was more I could do…" Lucas did his best to keep his voice steady so he wouldn't upset Melissa. Why am I so fragile? She deserves so much better than me… but god, I hope she doesn't hate me for being so weak…
Gently, she pulled out of his hold once more. "Hey, you're here. That counts for something." She smiled, cupping his cheek with her hand. Carefully she pet him, attempting not to hurt him with her longer painted nails. "So don't worry, I can handle it."
Lucas leaned into her hand, relaxing a bit and closing his eyes before he looked down at Melissa worriedly. "I just… I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you, Mel. I… I-I can't lose somebody else I care about."
"Nothing is going to happen to me." She smiled, gently pecking the tip of his nose sweetly. "I promise you, I won't leave until you leave first. Even then, I'll still be around to listen if you need me."