REBECCA'S POV

I sat incredibly still and braced myself for her story. I didn't want to rush Bentley because I'm sure it rivaled mine but in different ways.

"The best way I can tell this story is to go through it backwards... if that makes sense." I nod and wait for her to continue on her own time, not wanting to interrupt her head space.

"So, I just moved here not too long ago – maybe a month before I met you. The family I'm with now is nice and I think I'll end up staying here until I turn eighteen to be honest. I've been bounced around in the system forever but never really stayed long enough to get a chance to meet people... that's why I'm really glad Ryan left you alone at that baseball game so you were forced to talk to me." Bentley pauses and shoots me a shy smile. "All of the other people you've helped me befriend are amazing too and I can't thank you enough but anyways, back to the story. The reason I don't spend a lot of time at the foster homes is because I never really know what to expect. Sometimes the parents are great and other times not so much, there are issues with other kids in the house too occasionally. This house has been fine so far, but the parents are almost too relaxed and they have two of their own children and two other foster kids besides me staying there so it gets a little too hectic."

"I'm sure the Bradley's won't mind if you crash here once in a while if it gets too much, Landon does the same thing," I offer.

"What do you mean Landon does the same thing?" My mind panics and my eyes widen slightly.

"Uhm, I think that's something Landon prefers to keep secret... I'm sorry." Bentley nods along.

"No, I get it, it's okay. And thanks for the offer but I don't want to impose – I'll keep it in mind though... Continuing: The house I stayed in for about four months before now didn't have the greatest living conditions. They were trying to take advantage of the system and had the maximum number of kids staying there just so they could live off the government's dime. In other words, they didn't really care about us. It's not new to be uncared for but they rarely cooked dinner or even provided shampoo right away when we ran out. If it wasn't for Harley and me both working to provide for the younger kids I'm not sure what would've happened."

"Who's Harley?" I interrupt, unable to help myself.

"Harley is... well Harley is a year younger than us. He has a really good heart but always gave me a weird vibe. We've been in the same house before this one and I think it brought us closer together. We keep in touch still but probably only talk once or twice a week." I show my understanding with a nod even though I really want to know what she means by 'weird vibe.'

"Harley and I didn't want to report the house since there were a lot of little kids there and we know how bad these places can actually get. This house didn't have the best living conditions but at least they were safe. The house before that was where I spent most of my time. I was there from the age of seven to just before I turned sixteen." She stopped an inhaled a shaky breath. "They were kind of pulling the same thing by collecting checks but they only had two of us under their supervision. Leah was two years younger than me and quickly became like a little sister to me. We got assigned to the Marcus's at the same time and actually moved in on the same day. Mrs. Marcus, I never learned their first names, would always be gone either working or out of town. Mr. Marcus was a painter and stayed home more often than he went out."

Ryan burst through the door carrying a pizza and causing us both to jolt in surprise. I clumsily fell backwards off the bed and groaned when my head hit the floor with a loud thump. He quickly set the pizza on the dresser top and strode over to help me up.

"Geez Becs you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. You just have to stop swinging the door open like a banshee – I see where Mike gets it from now." I honestly would have laughed at my unfortunate jumpiness but the somber mood the room was clouded with didn't allow for that. Ryan must have sensed it and gave me a chaste kiss on the cheek after lifting me back onto the bed. He carried the pizza over to us and awkwardly waved goodbye before escaping from the room. Surprisingly, Bentley giggled at his strange behavior and I followed suit. Soon we were in full cackles and holding our stomachs. When we finally settled down once again, I grabbed a slice of pizza and Bentley continued her story.

"So, to keep it short and help me not turn into a complete sobbing mess, Mr. Marcus was a horrible man. I know for a fact you've met the type." We made eye contact and I read the silent message loud and clear. Mr. Marcus beat them the same way Kirk did to me. "I tried to take most of it to keep Leah safe, especially when we got older..."

I gasped. "You mean..." She nods jerkily and a single tear slips from her eye. I slowly set my half-eaten slice of pizza down and reach out to hug her, but she stops me.

"No, no. Just let me get this all out so I don't have to do this again," she laughs weakly and I nod in understanding once more. "I would take a hundred percent of that and most of the normal beatings for Leah. She was my only purpose for living honestly and I did everything in my power to keep her safe. Lucky for her, Mrs. Marcus absolutely adored her whole blonde hair, blue eyes thing and took her out of town once in a while so she could tag along in the fashion world. I was happy for her and overjoyed when Mrs. Marcus finally got the sense to leave Mr. Marcus; however, she left me there with him. When I was fourteen I started getting my monthly but he didn't want the inconvenience. Once night, he had me all tied down and stabbed me multiple times in my abdomen." Bentley gently lifts her shirt up and I had to really look past her strong abdominal muscles to see three scars about two inches long each.

"He never took me to the hospital so I just bled and bled and bled. I thought I was going to die and was preparing myself for the relaxation it would bring I guess. That doesn't sound weird, right?"

"No. I get it." My voice was soft and filled with an emotion stronger than empathy. I completely understood what must have been going through her mind because those thoughts used to fill mine too.

"I stopped getting my period and started freaking out because there was no way I was going to bring a baby into my fucked-up life. After school one day, I went to the nurse's office and asked if she had any pregnancy tests. She gave me this horrified look and ordered me out of her office because I was just about fifteen years old and she thought I slutted around I'm sure. The next week I called in sick for work one day and went to the free clinic. They informed me that I'm not pregnant, have no STD's, and that I would never be able to have children because of the 'previous' wounds I'd endured."

"Oh Bentley," I flung myself at her not caring if she didn't want to accept the hug. Luckily, she embraced me just as tight as I held her. "I'm so sorry. I know from experience that that doesn't sound like much but I am." She's so strong and didn't shed any tears during this part of her story.

"Honestly, I was relieved and disappointed at the same time. I'm glad Mr. Marcus couldn't knock me up but the obvious reasons depressed me. I've always wanted a real family and now I can't have it, but I've come to terms with it the best I can I think. Anyways, before the Marcus's I was bounced around a lot but nothing bad. When you're younger they really try to watch where you go but as you get older or stay in the system longer they start to not care as much."

"How did you get into the foster system in the first place?"

"I never knew my parents. I was born in New Mexico somewhere and shipped up here before I was a year old since there was more room in this area... I know you have another question; I can see it on your face."

"I have a lot of questions, but one that's more important than the others. Have you kept in contact with Leah at all?" I ask hesitantly.

Bentley exhales loudly and grabs a slice of pizza. "I tried to find out more about her but I know she's doing well. If I search her name I can see some of the modeling photos come up in google. That's about it."

I was about to say more but was interrupted by my phone buzzing loudly next to us on the bed. I look at the screen and laugh before holding it out for Bentley to read.

___

|Becca Hanson > Ryan – 10:02pm|

Received: Am I banned from your room entirely tonight? Will the deep girl talk you're taking a part in cause you to slaughter me if I try to knock on your door?

___

She laughs too and shakes her head.

"You do have a good one you know," she mentions in reference to Ryan.

"I know," I smile. "Is tonight a girls only night? I mean I'm sure we could invite Landon over and all hang out."

She blushes at the mention of the bad boy hottie I mentioned on purpose and I take that as my answer.

___

|Becca Hanson > Ryan – 10:03pm|

Sent: I was thinking we could invite Landon and all have a slumber party.

Sent: Honestly, I don't think I'd be able to sleep alone but I don't want Bentley to feel weird about it...

Received: Already called him.

___

Two seconds later, both of the guys waltzed into my room with cans of soda for Bentley and me.

"That was quick!" Ryan full on laughed at my astonishment.

"He's been here for like an hour. I didn't want to sit downstairs alone while you two had your talk," Ryan mentioned. "C'mon let's transfer this party downstairs – Landon seems to think that you're good enough to beat me in COD now and I have to prove him wrong... mostly for my own sake but still." His dimpled smile is convincing enough for me! I turn to Bentley and she's already climbing off the bed while gawking at Landon. We all head out of my room but I pull her back for a second.

"Thanks for being comfortable enough to tell me about everything. I know how hard it is to let people in like that."

Bentley nods and smiles, pulling me in for a strong hug.

"Thanks for letting me," she simply replies.

We turn to the boys – who have stopped in the middle of the staircase and looked back at us like we've grown a second head – and giggle before following them to the living room for some very serious Call of Duty time.