Hope's point of view

"Just call your job and tell them you're sick," said Nick while I scrambled off of the couch.
"I can't afford to take a day off," I told him.
I ran upstairs and quickly grabbed my dry clothes; my ribs burning with every step I took.
"Why?" asked Nick when I came back to the living room dressed.
"Why what?" I asked absentmindedly.
"Why can't you afford a day off?"
"You wouldn't understand," I said shrugging and tried to locate my jacket and purse.
"Hope, stop running around for a second!" exclaimed Nick. He stood in front of me. "Why can't you afford a day off?" he repeated.
"Because I have to pay the rent next week and getting evicted is not on my Top 100 Things To Do This Month list," I replied.
Nick didn't say anything; he just stood there, a bit in shock.
"Told ya you wouldn't understand," I said, then finally spotted my purse and jacket behind the couch.
"I do understand," said Nick softly. "I know what it's like to struggle with money, I didn't always have this," he said gesturing with his arms around the room.
But you never had an abusive father, I wanted to say but I held back. I drew in a deep breath and winced, I had managed to forget about my ribs once again.
"You okay?" asked Nick.
I took several short breaths and waited for the pain to subside. "I'm fine," I answered.
"Why don't you call your job and tell them you'll be late?" suggested Nick handing me the phone. I'll drop you off there on my way to the studio." He grinned.
"I'm already late," I said but nodded and took the phone anyway.

Nick's point of view

I listened as Hope spoke to her boss.
"Yes, but I…I know it's just…of course I remember…no it wasn't like…I understand, good bye," she said, then hung up the phone and I saw that her eyes were brimming with tears.
"What happened?" I asked gently.
Hope sank onto the couch. "I got fired," she said in a whisper, like she could hardly believe it herself.
"Oh god, Hope, I am so sorry," I said and sat down on the couch with her. "I feel like this is all my fault."
"It's not, I didn't have to get into your car yesterday and you were just trying to be nice," she said shaking her head. "Fuck, what am I going to do?" she groaned, covering her face with her hands.
"I can get you a job," I suddenly said.
I had no idea where that came from, but I had to do something.
Hope looked up from her hands at me. "Really?" she asked.
I nodded. "Yeah, I mean, I am a Backstreet Boy, that's gotta count for something," I said and grinned halfheartedly.
Hope smiled. "But what kind of a job can you possibly get me? I'm not qualified for anything except a cashier," she told me.
"Well, how old are you?" I asked.
"Twenty."
"Oh, so which college do you go to?"
"I don't go to one, I don't have time for college, I have to work."
"Um, did you finish high school?"
"Yeah."
"Great, so you're twenty, that means that you finished high school two years ago, right?"
"Something like that," she said vaguely.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I finished the high school curriculum when I was twelve."
I looked at her dumbfounded. "I don't understand."
"It's simple really. When I was in grade school, it turned out that I was somewhat of a…gifted child. So I kept getting put into higher grades 'till there was nowhere higher to go."
"So if you're this smart you could've finished college a long time ago and gotten a much better job!" I exclaimed.
"It's not that easy Nick. I had to work, I didn't have time for college," insisted Hope.
"But why? I mean, I understand why I couldn't go to high school or college, that's because I was always on the road. But you, you were only twelve, it's not like you had to support yourself."
Hope laughed bitterly. "I'd rather not discuss my home life with you if you don't mind," she told me.
I was taken aback and remained silent. I suspected that there was something really wrong in Hope's life because someone ass smart as her not going to college was beyond strange.
"Look Nick, thank you for your offer of help, but I'll find a job on my own," said Hope getting up. She squared her shoulders and straightened her hair. "I have to go, thanks for your kindness," she said with a smile, but I could see a lot of sadness behind that smile. She then headed for the door.
"Wait!" I called out after her. "Let me drive you home at least," I offered.
Hope opened the door and turned around to face me. "No, it's okay. The weather is nice and my house is about twenty minutes away from here, I can walk," she said. "So thank you Nick, once again, I wish you the best." And before I could respond, Hope had slipped out the door and disappeared from my sight.

Hope's point of view

I walked down the street with a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I didn't want to face my father; I couldn't face him.
I had no idea how I would tell him that I got fired. If he did what he did to me last night when I hadn't done anything wrong, I couldn't even begin to imagine what he would do to me now. I prayed to God that he wasn't drunk; otherwise, I wouldn't live to see tomorrow.
I unlocked the door ever so gently, trying to make as little noise as possible. I didn't know what I was supposed to do now, but I figured that leaving for a little while would be a good idea. I wanted to get some stuff and then get out while I still could.
"Who's there?" my father hollered from the bedroom.
For a drunk, he sure had great hearing.
"It's just me Dad," I called out. My father came into the living room.
"Whatta you doin' home?" he asked angrily.
"I got fired," I said softly.
"WHAT???" screamed my father. He ran up to me with amazing speed and pinned me against the wall. "What the fuck did you do?" he growled, and I could smell the stench of whiskey on his breath. I knew I was in trouble and in way over my head.
"I was late and Jack, my boss, said that if you're late five times you automatically get fired," I explained, painfully aware of my father's hand on my already throbbing ribs. "It was my fifth time," I added quietly.
"You fucking bitch, don't you realize that you're not the only one in this house? Wait, no, of course not, you only think about yourself," spat my father and I could feel my eyes filling up with tears against my will. The worst thing I could do at that moment was cry.
"Don't give me any fucking waterworks!" he screamed and slapped me hard. My right cheek began to throb with pain.
"I'm…sorry," I cried, the tears escaping my eyes and streaming in two rivers down my cheeks.
"I don't give a shit if you're sorry!" yelled my father and then the world exploded into stars before my eyes. He had punched me in my stomach and ribs. I felt something crack inside of me. I couldn't even pinpoint the pain anymore; it was all around me. The blows kept coming but I couldn't feel them. And when unconsciousness came, I slipped gratefully into the comfortable world of darkness.

Nick's point of view

I looked at the building into which Hope had entered ten minutes before. I knew I shouldn't have followed her, but I couldn't help but think that there was something she wasn't telling me. I felt strangely attached to her even though I had known her for barely twelve hours.
I had no idea which apartment she lived in, but I knew that I could find it without too much trouble since the building looked small. It was a dull maroon color and looked really run down. There were only three floors and I could see that all the windows had blinders pulled down over them. I guessed people liked their privacy.
I waited for another five minutes and then saw a man coming out. He was about 6'3" and outweighed me easily by at least fifty pounds. He looked one way, then the other, then finally made up his mind, turned right and disappeared around the corner.
I didn't know why, but I had a bad feeling about that guy.
I waited another five minutes and then decided to go and try to find Hope.
I stepped inside the building and turned left, where I saw the mailboxes. I located Hope's name on the mailbox for apartment 3A. I saw that her last name was Starland.
I made my way to the third floor and stopped in front of her apartment. I was about to ring the bell when I saw that the door was ajar.
"Hope?" I called out softly while easing the door open. I heard no sounds coming from inside. "Are you here? It's Nick, I just-" the rest of the words died in my mouth and my blood ran cold as the sight in the living room unfolded in front of me. The room was in shambles, like someone had gone on a ransacking spree. But what was worse was what I saw near the left wall. It was Hope, sprawled on the floor, unconscious.
"Hope?" I said softly. I kneeled next to her, afraid to move her because I didn't know what happened.
"Uhh," groaned Hope, and a second later she opened her eyes.
"Hey," I said. Hope looked at me as her eyes focused on my face.
"Nick?" she asked, disbelief apparent in her voice.
"Yeah, what happened?" I questioned.
I saw a flicker of hesitation in Hope's eyes. Then it was gone. "Robber," she stated. "I came into the apartment while he was still here," she proceeded to explain.
I didn't know why, but I was sure she was lying.
"Where are you hurt?" I asked.
Hope hesitated once again. "Um…my ribs hurt a little," she admitted.
I couldn't understand why she was being so distant.
"I'm calling 911," I said taking out my cell phone. I couldn't believe I hadn't done that sooner.
"No, Nick don't," said Hope placing her hand on mine.
I looked up from my phone. "You're hurt and you need medical attention," I told her.
"Really, I'm okay," she said and tried to get up. A cry of pain escaped her lips as soon as she moved.
I quickly gave the 911 operator Hope's address and said to hurry. I hung up and looked at Hope.
"The ambulance should be here in five minutes," I said.
Hope nodded.
"Hey, it'll be okay," I assured her, placing my hand on her shoulder.
She nodded yet gain.
"Hope, what's going on?" I asked seriously.
"Nothing," she said shaking her head. "I told you, it was a robber."
She wasn't a very good liar, but I decided to let it drop because whatever it was, it caused her pain, and not the physical kind.
"All right," I said. I then heard the wails of a siren in the distance.
Hope panicked as I saw a look of realization cross her face. "I can't go to the hospital, I don't have insurance!" she exclaimed.
"It's okay, calm down. Don't worry about it," I said soothingly.
"But…but I don't have the money to pay for it," Hope continued.
"Don't. Worry," I told her firmly.
Hope raised her eyes to look at me. "Why are you being so nice? You barely know me."
I shrugged. "I'm not sure. I guess I can see that you're a wonderful person who deserves better than she's getting."
I fully believed what I had said, but I wished I knew exactly what was going on with her.
At that moment two paramedics rushed in with a stretcher.
"Over here," I called out to them. They worked quickly and efficiently. They gently lifted Hope onto the stretcher and then checked her vitals and hooked her up to an IV.
I followed them outside and went in the ambulance with Hope. She looked scared, and I wasn't about to leave her alone.

Hope's point of view

"Hey," said Nick softly, coming into my room.
I smiled at him. "Hey," I returned the greeting.
"How are you feeling?" he asked and sat down on a chair near my bed.
"Tired," I replied sighing. Then something occurred to me. "Nick, how did you find me?" I asked.
He looked down sheepishly. "I followed you," he said.
I rolled my eyes. "Why?"
"Because I knew something was wrong. And it's a good thing that I did," he told me.
I shrugged.
Nick then looked at me with seriousness in his eyes. I knew he was about to ask me what happened, but I couldn't tell him.
"Hope, what really happened?" he asked.
Was I a mind reader or what?
"I already told you, there was a robber and-" Nick cut me off.
"I don't believe you when you say that. I know there's something going on that's much more serious than the robber story you thought up," he said.
I let out a sigh of frustration. He knew how to read people a little too well. "Look, even if there was something going on, which there isn't, I still wouldn't tell you because I'd be able to handle it," I told him.
It was Nick's turn to sigh. "Hope, I want to help you, why won't you let me do that?" he exclaimed.
"Because I don't need anybody's help, I'm doing just fine!" I barked.
"Oh yeah, I can see how fine you're doing," said Nick sarcastically, gesturing around the hospital room.
"You made me come here, I wasn't even going to call 911," I retorted.
Nick jumped up from the chair with such force it fell down. "Hope! You have three broken ribs and a concussion! Do you have any idea the problems those injuries would've caused if you left them untreated?" he yelled.
I clenched my jaw. "I would've taken care of it," I said tensely.
"Yeah, you would've taken care of everything wouldn't you?" he snapped.
I nodded curtly.
"Fine, do what you want," said Nick throwing up his hands in the air. He started towards the door and then paused. "But just know this, everyone needs someone to turn to," he added and then left.
I leaned back on the bed and closed my eyes.
I wasn't going to cry.
I wasn't going to cry.
I wasn't going to cry.
Apparently my eyes had a different idea because tears began rolling down my cheeks.
I didn't want to fight with Nick, but it was better this way. He didn't need to be involved in my very much screwed up life.

Nick's point of view

I took several deep breaths and tried to clear my head. I was standing outside of the hospital for the past twenty minutes and trying to calm down.
I couldn't leave things with Hope like that. Whether she knew it or not, she needed help.
I took another deep breath and went back inside.
I got into the elevator and pressed the button for the fifth floor. I had no idea what I was going to say to Hope when I got back to her room, but I had to say something.
The elevator pinged and a second later the doors opened. I stepped onto the fifth floor and turned left. I stopped in front of Hope's room and tried to rehearse what I was going to say to her in my head. It didn't work. The words were there; I just couldn't connect them.
I opened the door and was greeted with an empty bed.
"Hope?" I called out, thinking that she was in the bathroom.
No answer.
I looked around and then went back into the hallway.
I spotted the receptionist's desk a few feet away.
"Hi, I was wondering if Hope Starland was moved to another room or something?" I asked.
The woman behind the desk clicked a few keys on her computer and then looked back at me. "She checked herself out about fifteen minutes ago," she told me.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
I couldn't believe Hope did that.
"Are you Nick?" asked the woman suddenly.
"Yeah," I said nodding.
She handed me an envelope. "She asked me to give you this in case you came back."
I turned the object over in my hands. My name was written across the front. "Thank you," I said absentmindedly and went to sit down on a chair. I took out the paper inside and began to read.

Nick,

I know, you're probably really pissed off at me right now for not telling you anything and probably even more pissed that I checked out of the hospital. Well, I just wanted to thank you for everything that you did for me. I appreciate it more than I can say really. I wish I could tell you everything, but I can't. I don't want to involve you in my messed up life because you don't need any additional problems. I'm sure you have enough to worry about in your life without me adding to it. You have been a great friend for the past couple of days to me. The only friend I ever had. I thank you for your kindness, your compassion, and you sincerity. Don't ever change Nick.
Please don't try to find me or contact me again. You've helped me in more ways in the past couple of days than you realize. The rest of the way, I gotta go by myself. Take care of yourself.

Hope

I folded the letter in half and put it into my pocket.
I walked out of the hospital determined to go to Hope's house and straighten everything out. I wasn't about to listen to her when she told me to basically butt out of her life.
I parked my car in front of her building and noticed how much gloomier and run down the place looked in the darkness.
The smell of garbage hung in the air as I climbed up the stairs. I was barely able to locate Hope's apartment because the dim lighting in the hallway made everything nearly impossible to see.
I knocked on the door and waited, and prayed, that Hope was home.
The door opened and I saw a tall outline of a man in the doorway. The lack of light prevented me from seeing his face.
"Whatta you want?" he snapped.
I coughed because of the alcohol smell that wafted towards me. "Um, hi, is Hope home?" I asked.
"She ain't here," was the answer and the man slammed the door in my face.
I was tempted to knock again, but common sense told me not to. There was something familiar about the man, but I couldn't place my finger onto what it was.

chapter 1 chapter 3