The Nerd [ongoing]

clinomania (24.)

clinomania

(n.) excessive desire to stay in bed

I walk into the house. "Where were you? Why were you out so early?" My mom gives me a worried look. Her eyes give me a once-over.

Her face shows more and more worry as she sees my dark under eyes, my exhausted figure and my bloody knuckles. 

"Hunter.." She takes a few steps closer. "What happened?"

She closes the little distance left between us and hugs me in a way only a mother can. I wrap my arms around her waist and rest my head on her shoulder. To do so, I have to bend my head down a bit. My mom is above average height but still smaller than me.

"Nothing mom." She sighs and pulls away. 

"Don't lie to me Hunter. I can understand it if you don't want to talk to me but don't lie." She ruffles my hair. 

"Just know that I'm here for you if you need me, okay?" I nod. 

"Now, breakfast?"

I lightly shake my head. "Sorry mom. I'm not really in the mood." I walk past her and make my way to my room.

~

I've been pacing for a while now. I just wish she gave me enough information so I can do something. But she gave me nothing. She just had to be so secretive all the time.

SANTIAGO'S POV

What is going on here? Why is Dylan so angry at Tim? The door being thrown open startles me and I quickly turn around. Why does Tim have an unconscious Ava in his arms? Is she- Is she bleeding?

"What the hell is going on?" I try my best to keep my temper under control for Lily's sake. 

"There's no time. You have to call Doc. She's already lost a lot of blood." Tim rushes further into the house and walks around Dylan and I to the living room and lays Ava on one of the couches.

Dylan is still not moving so I grab my phone to call Doc. 

"Hello?" 

"Hi, doc. Sorry if I woke you but can you come to my house? Right now." I don't wait for an answer and hang up the phone.

I see Mrs Dawson walking towards me with a questioning face. 

"Is that Ava on the couch?" Her slight English accent soothing me while she speaks. 

She looks up at me. "What happened to the poor girl?"

I look at Ava. "I don't know Mrs Dawson. Can you please take care of Lily while I find out?" 

"Ofcourse." I carefully place Lily in her arms and watch her walk upstairs.

I walk into the living room and look at Tim. "Care to explain what happened?" I fold my arms in front of my chest. Tim opens his mouth but he is too slow. 

"I'll tell you what happened. Tim just forgot to mention to us that Mateo has been abusing Ava." Dylan snaps.

What?!

"What the fuck is he talking about Tim?" I fume. 

"Please don't be angry at him." A soft voice spoke from the couch, followed by a raspy cough.

"He always told me to tell you guys but I wanted to keep it from you. You should be angry with me. Not him." She tries to sit up but Tim softly pushes her back down.