🌬️ the color black. nighttime. evil eyes. rolling up. cherry pepsi. piercings. dyeing my hair. underground music. the paranormal. crystals. horror movies. adrenaline. hotboxing. pill high. in the moment decisions. exploring. trinkets. basket case by greenday. true crime. black cats. being alone. FDT & ICE. matt sturniolos fav alt girl <33
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Summary: Chris is doing well in school and catches a teacher's attention.
"For with knowledge comes pain"
⚠️This Fic Series will NOT be for people with triggers. This Fic Series will have very descriptive moments of abuse.⚠️
Please Read At Your Own Risk.
⚠︎Trigger Warning: angst, anxiety, mention of old wounds, unfair circumstances, yelling?, pain, Victim!Chris getting punished. ⚠︎
Chris POV:
I woke up in the basement. I remembered hearing her voice lulling me to sleep, but not how I got back home. I looked around and heard everyone upstairs moving around, starting their day. I wanted to go up there and act like a part of the family, but I was afraid I would just be presenting myself as a target. I sat up and looked around the slate grey basement. It wasn't so bad being down here because I got to sneak in and out and stay away from them. Just then, the basement door opened, and Nick came halfway down the steps.
"Let's go. Matt wants to race." I rolled my eyes. He knew I'd never win, and that's why he loved it. He and Nick drove to school, while I usually took the bus. However, every once in a while, Matt would want to, quote, "race me." It always resulted in me being late to school, worn out, in pain, and when I got home, I was beaten up for losing. I got up and grabbed my bag. I changed my pants, so it looked like I was in a new outfit. Though I knew Nessie would know it wasn't. She was the only one who would notice. It hurt to know I couldn't hide this side of my life from her. I never thought I would see her again. I always thought I'd be stuck at home while she was just moving on in her life without me. I was okay with that. Every day, I thought about her, and I was happy to imagine her living her life to the fullest, even if it meant without me. As I emerged up the steps to the warm-toned house, I was met with silence and glares.
"Let's go." Matt cocked his head towards the door, so I knew to follow. I did without hesitation. Other than my thighs burning from malnutrition and being under-exercised, and any old wounds flaring up, I enjoyed this game. It was nice to give up and walk the rest of the way to the school by myself. Which I did this time because the pencil stab wasn't healing the best. I arrived, and all the buses were done unloading kids, and Matt's car was in his parking spot. Late, as usual. I walked through the main office and got a slip to get to class. I looked at a clock in the hallway and made sure I hadn't missed my class with Nessie. The whole class looked at me and whispered as I walked.
"Late again." The teacher raised a brow.
"Overslept. Missed the bus." I kept it short. The teacher held out their hand for my tardy slip with a sigh. I sat in my seat and caught my breath for the rest of the lesson. The bell rang, and I quickly darted for the door. I just wanted to see Nessie. I weaved through the hallway just to find Nessie smooshed up against a locker with Matt hanging over her. Her eyes flicked my way and immediately back to Matt. She knew not to push him. I slipped into the classroom and sat down. I covered my head with my hood and rested my head on the desk. The image of her stuck, assuming she was being harassed by Matt, and I couldn't do anything to help her, tore me up inside. I lurched when I felt a soft, singular poke on my elbow.
"It's okay." Her voice flowed down my spine, countering the chills with something more soothing. I removed my hood and looked at her. My eyes held nothing but apologetic words. "It's okay." She knew I was upset about Matt without me having to say anything. Even though she said it was fine, she was quieter than usual this period. I knew she was bothered. I changed. She didn't. She probably didn't know this, but she had all the same tells from when we were kids. Her nose scrunches when she is in thought. She tucks and untucks a strand of her hair when she is nervous. Lastly, she goes quiet when she is really upset. She was never a loud outburst kind of person. She would seal her lips as if there were never the right words to explain her sadness, but with me, she didn't have to. I knew. This class ended faster than any other class on my schedule, and I knew it was because it was the only one I had with her. I tried to catch her before Matt appeared, but it was like he knew. He smiled at me, and it was nothing inviting. He was aware he had the upper hand.
"Chris, can I speak to you a moment?" Nessie looked back when she heard the teacher say my name. She was just as on edge as I was. Surely, she didn't tell them. She wouldn't. She had to know it would cost me more in the long run.
"Uh, sure." My voice wavered. The teacher looked me up and down as all the students flowed out into the hallway. I looked down at the ground, waiting. I wasn't sure what they were going to say. Mostly, I was afraid of what they would ask me. I would lie, I knew that, no matter the question. But would it be believable enough? Could I make it believable enough? And if Nessie had said something, it would be my word against hers.
"I just wanted to check in with you." I avoided looking at them.
"I'm fine," I mumbled.
"I can tell you are. It's challenging to transition from homeschooling to public school, but you are adjusting very well. Your grades are improving slowly, and your last paper was some of your best work." I slowly lifted my head as the praise sank into my mind. It was new. It felt good.
"Thank you." I still avoided looking directly into their eyes. I was afraid that if I did, they would see the water glossing over mine.
"Keep up the good work, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." Their tone wasn't ominous or coated with hidden meaning. It was simply just that. I left and went through the rest of the day feeling a little more confident in myself. It was a different feeling, but I couldn't help but repeat their words over and over in my thoughts. I knew it had to do with Nessie and me in the treehouse. We usually studied as a way for me to avoid talking about anything personal and a way for her to feel like she was helping me. I suppose it was reflecting on my true academic performance. The day ended, and I got on the bus. Nessie was talking with her friends. As soon as I neared the back seats, they all looked at me. She got up and sat next to me.
"Are you okay?" She whispered.
"Yeah." I looked out the window at the school's football field. I felt her fingers tickle across my own hand. I didn't flinch; I held my breath. She slowly interlocked just our pinkie fingers. I closed my fist a little and made sure to squeeze her finger closer. The bus ride was the second fastest part of my day, all because it was the only time I felt comfortable. We walked off the bus and went our separate ways with just a look. We both knew what that look meant. The treehouse. It was a routine I desperately needed. Sometimes I wondered if she needed it too. I made it home and was immediately regretting opening the front door. I was a little shocked because Matt wasn't waiting to accept his prize for winning this morning's race. Instead, I was met with both of my parents waiting. Something very different from the usual.
"The school called." My mom said. The way her lip twitched meant she was upset. My body sent one single shiver down my spine, causing my muscles to go numb shortly after. I wanted to tell myself Nessie wouldn't say anything. That she would understand the consequences would be far worse than the help, but all I could think was how could she?
"I'm sorry," I whispered. Father's hand swung swiftly through the air across my mouth, causing my lip to crack against my teeth.
"She didn't say you could speak." His voice was never cold. It was always void. He was empty inside. Everything told me that his voice, his eyes, and the love he once carried for me were empty. I wanted to apologize again out of reaction, but I licked my blood off my lip instead.
"We made it very clear not to bring attention to yourself at school." She hit me. Not as hard, but I knew it wouldn't stop there. "So why is the school calling us about you?" Rhetorical. She knew already because she talked to them. She hit me. "We don't want them calling this house again for you. Even if it's because you are doing well." She hit me. "Do you understand?" Not rhetorical, but I was afraid to speak without actual permission.
"Better fucking answer her." My father said, raising his hand into a ball.
"I understand." I wanted my words to be clear, but my voice was shaky.
"Oh, we'll make sure you understand." Mother's lip twitched again, and I knew this was it.
.⋆♱ 22. party animal. cheetah print. rbf. big friend group. long french tip nails. goes to bed at 6am and wakes up at 4pm. magazine collection. vodka shots. victoria’s secret. 2007 coded. attitude when it comes to fwb!chris. ke$ha. nonchalant.
all credits to whoever came up with bratty!reader !!! ⊹ ࣪ ˖
