[TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter deals with the theme of physical abuse]

Songs to listen to in this chapter:
1. Say Something- A Great Big World
2. Hold on- Chord Overstreet
3. Skyscraper- Demi Lovato
4. Breathe Me- Sia
5. Human- Christina Perri
6.Jar of Hearts- Christina Perri

*Hazel's pov*

After dropping Athena off and promising to text her later, we sat in the car in front of my house. I couldn't help but fidget with the camera for the millionth time.

"You ready?" Asher asked.

I looked up at him. "No....let's do this." I got out of the car but before I closed the door, I turned to Asher. "I think I'll be okay."

"If you're not, I'm just a window away." He said and we smiled at each other before I closed the door.

I walked up to the door and took a deep breath before entering my house. I closed the door quietly so my mom didn't know I was barely getting home. She probably thought I had already come home from "tutoring Violet".

I quietly crept upstairs to change into pajamas to make the little lie I was about to tell more realistic. I mean, come on! I couldn't just tell my mom I had been recording my dad do the devil's tango with some girl from a two story window. I had to come up with a cover story.

When I walked back downstairs, I saw my mom sitting on the couch watching tv with one of Leo's blankets wrapped around her. She had a cup of coffee in her hand. I walked over and sat next to her, putting the camera behind my back.

"Hey, mom. What are you doing up so late?" I asked her.

"Oh, hey sweetie. I'm just waiting for your dad to come home. Man, it's really sweet what he's doing for Leo. One day, you need to find someone, anyone that will love you as much as your dad loves this family; as much as your dad loves me." My mom gushed with heart eyes.

I didn't know if I could do this... No, I had to or else my mom and family would be even more hurt later on.

"Listen, mom. I was doing math homework and I needed to measure something, so I went into yours and dad's room to look for one of those tape measure things. I looked in dad's drawer under all his boxers to see if he had one cause ya know, dads and their precious tools. B-but instead I found this. It's-I don't even know how to say this... Just-just watch it." I put the video up and handed the camera to my mom. I started pulling on the little tassels attached to the pillow next to me and I felt a lump in my throat when she pressed play.

At first, she just had a confused look on her face, but after a few seconds, I could see her expression slowly changing to one of indescribable pain. She didn't watch the whole thing. She ended up throwing her coffee mug on the floor after tossing the camera to the side. I flinched as the mug broke into pieces, just like her heart in that moment. The tears started falling and I couldn't see the color in her eyes anymore.

"M-mom, I-" My voice cracked when tears started forming in my eyes as well.

"That fucking unfaithful asshole! Your dad, he cheated on me! He cheated on me..." My mom stood up from the couch and started pacing, sounding completely destroyed and exhausted.

I opened my mouth, trying to form words as hot tears rained down my eyes. "I'm sorry. I-" I was cut off by the door opening and my dad coming in.

"Wow, those classes are so educational yet so hard. Hehe, Leo's lucky I'm such a great dad." He locked the door and turned around. His smile faltered when he saw us. "What happened?"

My mom walked over to him and jabbed an accusing finger at his chest. "You cheating piece of shit! How could you?! You lied to me. You didn't go to any classes. Do you even care about Leo? About any of them? About me?"

My dad went from looking confused to looking mad guilty. "I don't know what you're talking about..."

My mom scoffed. "Oh, please. I saw your little sex tape!" My mom grabbed the camera from the couch and played a bit of the video for him.

"What the fuck? I didn't even record that! Some creep-"

"Don't try to lie, again. Hazel found it in your drawer! Besides, even if you didn't take it, it's still proof that you-"

[T/W: ABUSE]

She stopped talking when my dad rushed over to me and grabbed me by my collar, choking me a bit. "You fucking bitch! Where did you get that? Why'd you show her?" I didn't answer because I was feeling too many emotions to speak so he punched the left side of my face.

"Answer me!" He was fuming. When I didn't answer a second time, he punched my eye then kneed my stomach. I yelped in pain.

"Get off of my daughter!" My mom wailed and pulled him off of me. Unfortunately, my dad was bigger than her and pushed her to the ground, hard. She couldn't get up because she was in too much pain.

"Stop it! Leave her alone!" I yelled at him, turning his attention back to me. He put his hands around my neck and started choking me.

"You ruined everything!" He said in a low, dangerous voice.

"You're the one who cheated on her!" I shot back.

"You think I cared about her? I needed a place after Alisha divorced me and this fucking residency was available because of your mom's desperation." He squeezed my neck harder and I felt like all the air was leaving my lungs when he started lifting me off of my feet.

My vision was starting to go out when I heard running down the stairs. Next thing I knew, I was laying on the floor and Daniel was repeatedly punching my dad. Leo, Alan, and Finn were around my mom while Jason and Cameron were hovering over me. Cameron was saying something.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay. You're okay just stay awake. Hey. Hey!" That was all I heard before everything went completely black.

~~~~~~~

I woke up and it seemed like only a few minutes had passed. My head was in Cameron's lap on the floor while Jason's hand caressed my cheek.

"Hey, Hazel." Cameron croaked.

"You're awake." Jason smiled weakly.

I could see the fear and tears hiding in their eyes.

I sat up and groaned. They both put supporting hands on my back and helped me.

I looked up when I heard Daniel finally lift my dad up from his collar and yell in his face. "Don't you ever touch my mom, or my sister, or anyone else in this family again you fucking piece of shit!" He dragged him over to the door and threw him out.

My dad stood up and I could see the blood all over his face and all the forming bruises. "Fuck all of you! I don't love any of you and I never did! I'll find myself a hot chick and maybe someday I'll have kids that aren't such asses!" I'll-"

[End of T/W]

He was cut off by Daniel slamming the door in his face. He threw up his middle finger before turning to us.

"What even happened?" Cameron asked as him and the rest of my brothers helped me and my mom onto the couch.

We looked at each other but I could tell she was feeling too weak right now to explain, so I did. I told them everything. Except I still kept the lie about me finding the camera in his drawer. The entire time I spoke, I couldn't stop shaking.

At some point in my explanation, my mom and I both started crying along with Leo, Finn, and Alan.

"He's so lucky he's not here anymore cause I'd kill him if he was." Daniel growled.

All my brothers started agreeing with him.

My mom turned to me and said shakily,"I can't believe he would hurt you like that."

"He always did that to us when we were little and you weren't around, so we couldn't defend ourselves." Daniel said. "But we're not little anymore."

My mom looked shocked. "I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry. I had no idea this was going on but I should've. I'm so sorry I even let him back into the house. I-"

"It's okay, mom."

"It's not your fault."

"You didn't know how much of a douchebag he is."

I hugged my mom and that turned into a huge family group hug. Everyone was either full on sobbing or at least tearing up.

After a few very long minutes, my mom spoke,"I think I need to go lie down. You all should get some rest, too." She trudged upstairs and we heard her door close softly.

I turned to my brothers, but I couldn't even fake a smile. My lip wouldn't stop wobbling. "I'm gonna head to bed, too." They nodded and I made my way upstairs.

Once I made it to my room and locked the door, I fully released everything. I flopped onto my bed and screamed into my pillow and cried. Everything that happened began to replay in my head.

I knew I needed someone that wasn't in my family. I knew I needed Asher.

I opened my window, made my way over to Asher's, and knocked on it. I waited a few seconds before it opened.

I climbed into his room room before he could see my face and I didn't say anything. Everything just kept playing in my head like a mini movie.

Asher closed the window behind me and came by my side. "How did it go?"

I looked up at him and his face fell. He searched my entire face. He cupped my bruised cheek and softly stroked my bruised eyelid. Finally his hand moved down to my throat and rubbed it softly. His face went from shock to pure anger. "Who the hell did this to you?! Did your dad do this to you?!"

Hot tears were rolling down my cheeks and I was shaking. "Yes." I managed quietly.

He clenched his jaw and he wore the most infuriated look I'd ever seen on him. "I fucking swear, if I ever see him again..." He mumbled as he softly traced my features.

The mini movie got to the part where I was getting choked and I could actually feel his hands around my throat. I couldn't breathe and my heart was racing way too fast. I couldn't stand anymore so I sat on the floor. My hands went to my throat as I tried to get air back into them.

"Hazel?! Are you okay?!" Asher crouched as he cupped my cheeks and looked into my eyes.

"I- I can't..." I choked on my words.

"Listen to me. Hazel, you're having a panic attack. Just listen to my voice and try to steady your heart rate. Just breathe. Just breathe... Good. You're doing good." I listened to him and I felt myself calming down.

Once I could feel the air in my lungs again, I loosened my body and calmed down. Asher pulled me into his embrace and I sat in his lap as he held me.

"Shhh, it's okay. You're okay, Princess. I've got you." He stroked my hair calmingly and kissed my forehead.

"I ruined our family. I hurt my mom so badly. I made her cry." I cried into his chest.

"No, you didn't do any of that. Your dad did. You just stopped it from going any further. None of this is your fault." Asher said quietly.

I cried in his arms for a while longer before I decided I was tired. I looked up at Asher. "Hey, is it okay if I sleep here tonight?"

"Yeah, of course. Whatever you need. Come on I'll help you make yourself at home." He stood up, but I was still in his arms so he carried over to his bed and set me down. "Let me get something."

He walked over to his dresser and pulled out a big black t-shirt, some black boxers, and socks. He walked over to the bed and handed me the clothes.

"You can change in my bathroom and just use the boxers as shorts." He said, pointing at the bathroom he had in his room.

I nodded and went inside.

I came out feeling a bit silly. I looked down at myself and spoke. "Asher, this shirt is so long it covers the boxers I'm wearing. I like the socks, though." They were Batman ankle socks. Despite my mood, feeling these comfy clothes somehow made me feel a fleck of my normal self.

I looked up to see Asher sitting on his bed wearing nothing but grey sweatpants. He was shirtless.

We both gawked at each other. I looked away before he could see the heat in my face. Unless, my bruises were covering my cheeks too much.

He shook his head, his messy hair falling in front of his eyes before he stood up. "You can sleep on my bed." I nodded and went over to sit on his bed. "I'll just go sleep on the couch or something."

He was about to leave but I grabbed his wrist. "Wait!" He turned around to face me with confusion. "Um, I'm actually still a bit stricken and I-I just don't want to be alone right now. Can you stay with me, please?"

He took this into consideration and nodded. "Of course, Princess." We both smiled weakly.

I got under the covers and he slid into bed next to me. I turned towards him and studied him. He had beautiful, dark, messy, brown hair. His eyes were an electrifying blue and his lips looked so plump. His skin looked soft. He was staring back at me, almost as if he was observing me as well. Our gaze was so intense, I couldn't help what I did next.

I reached my hand out and softly traced his sharp jawline. His Adam's Apple moved up and down as he swallowed in surprise. My hand moved up and I caressed his cheek.

I leaned in a few centimeters very slowly and then he copied. We both inched closer and closer until our lips were brushing against each other like some sort of tease.

But before we could go any further, I stopped and leaned back. He looked confused and disappointed for some reason.

"I can't. This is gonna end exactly how my mom and dad's relationship ended. He hurt her so many times. He left her for some other woman and then he came back and used her. He didn't really even care about her, he just needed a place to stay while he was out having fun with some other girl. How do I know you're not gonna do this to me? How do I know you actually care and you're not just using me as some sort of fling or something? Or that you won't just go off with some other girl. I don't know. Not just you. Anybody is just gonna hurt me and leave me the way my dad did." I scrunched up my face to stop myself from crying again. Thoughts spiraled in my head about how I'd never find love because it always ended with pain.

My thoughts went to a halt when Asher put his hand on top of mine. I looked at him. "Hazel, I know that this whole situation made a dent on your perspective of love, but it doesn't always end that way. You have trust issues because of everything that's happened involving your dad, and that's totally understandable. Some people just don't love each other and they show it in the worst ways by hurting them. But think about all the relationships that do end well with them growing old together and having a family because they truly love each other. A lot of people think the way you do after their parents have problems and they follow the same path, but you can break that trope. Find someone that really loves you and spend your life with them. Fix the bad reputation that love has, and if it doesn't work at first, that's okay because you can try again and again. You're always one heartbreak closer to your true love. Of course you don't need someone to be happy, but its still really nice to love someone. You shouldn't give up on love because of a bad experience."

By the time he finished talking, my eyes were glistening with tears. "You're right. I shouldn't let this experience have an affect on the way I love. If I love someone, I should let myself love them. I shouldn't give up." I wasn't just saying this, I really felt it. He was right.

He smiled. "Exactly. I'm really happy you're going to continue to be your loving self and you're not gonna let yourself be sad about this. If you love someone, you should go for it."

"Maybe someday I will, if I have the guts to." I turned my hand to face his and interlocked our fingers. He looked at me intensely. "I really appreciate you being here for me at a time like this. You're a really great friend."

His face fell and he looked like he wanted to say something, but instead he just shook his head and cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah. Great friend. Thanks, you too... Anyways, it's getting late so maybe we should get to sleep."

I nodded. "Oh, okay. Goodnight, Asher. Thank you." I leaned in and kissed his cheek.

He looked taken aback. "U-uh, y-yeah. No problem. Goodnight, Princess."

I turned away from him and closed my eyes. He turned off the light and I could hear him turning under the covers.

Before sleep overtook me, I heard him say,"I hope someday comes soon."

A/N: Heyyyyy I didn't make a chapter too late for once! Anyways I know this chapter was super heavy but I kinda needed this to vent because a similar situation is happening with my stepdad. It feels a bit odd telling strangers on the internet but I trust you guys and I know you'll understand. Writing is a way to express how you feel and I do that through Hazel. We have very similar personalities and we go through similar situations. I just wish I had an Asher in my life to help me and tell me what he told Hazel. I wrote those words on my own and it helps me try to feel that way but I'm still having a hard time taking Asher's advice. Maybe someday I'll realize love is worth it. This story helps a lot cause it makes me realize how much I DO want a relationship and someone to love. It also reminds me how single I am :,). With that being said, I hope you enjoyed this chapter (sorry for making it so long)! Make sure to follow for notifications and announcements! Please keep reading and vote! Thank you!! By my lovelies!!!❤❤❤

---Your Smøl Bean, Gen