the only exception

Phoebe stumbled out of the bathroom window, clutching her abdomen as she landed a little too roughly on the ground.

She knew she couldn't stay there anymore.

Adam had been beyond mad at her for having a few little bites of her sandwich and lashed out worse than he ever had before.

She knew it was just because he probably had a little too much to drink, a little too fast, but she couldn't do it anymore. She needed to get out, even if she didn't know where she was going to go.

Her entire body ached from the way he'd thrown her around, and on her way out of the bathroom she'd realized just about how much damage he'd done.

She had bruises around her neck, on her cheek, and a slight cut on her forehead from where his bottle had hit her. She knew there would be more under her hoodie, littering her arms and torso, but decided that would be a problem for her to worry about later.

Right now, she just wanted to get out.

She made her way to the park, the walk seeing excruciatingly long compared to all the other times. She blames it on the rain, clouding her vision, blames it on the pain, blames it on the fact that she's alone and not in the presence of her friends to keep her distracted.

It's hot in Nashville this time of year, but right now she just feels cold, and keeps her arms wrapped around herself tight enough to elicit pain from her abdomen where Adam had kicked her.

When she finally makes it to the park, she sits on one of the tables that has a canopy over it, blocking her from the rain.

She pulls out her phone, sending messages to her friends group chat asking them to meet, but was quickly hit with them declining her offer due to the rain.

Phoebe lets tears well back up in her eyes, not even bothering to wipe them away. She knew if she told them what happened they'd be here in minutes, but she couldn't bring herself to do it, as much as her mind was screaming at her because, god, she did not want to be alone right now.

---

Hayley typically didn't enjoy going out too often, never wanting it to feel excessive, at least lately. But since last night Zac couldn't make it and she barely had 2 drinks, she decided to go back out tonight.

They left a little earlier so that they wouldn't have to stay up as late, seeing as Hayley was already tired since she was up pretty much all night worrying about Phoebe. She knew it was a little irrational and she didn't even know the girl, but couldn't help but worry. She had a feeling in her stomach telling her something wasn't right, but eventually pushed it away after Phoebe finally texted her back letting her know she was home.

"You alright?" Taylor asked gently as she stared out the window on their way to pick up Zac. His hand found its way to her thigh, his thumb moving back and forth in a comforting motion.

Hayley nodded, wrapping her arms around his arm that was over the center console. She shifted her head to the side, giving his arm a quick kiss, really only because it was the most accessible at the moment. "You want to DD tonight or me?"

"I can, I know Zac wont." Taylor laughed, his eyes on the road as they made a turn.

Hayley hummed in agreement, loosening her grip on him and instead intertwining their fingers as she leaned back in the seat.

They rode in mostly silence due to Hayley being stuck in her head, but Zac was quick to pick up a conversation with Taylor as soon as he was in the car.

Hayley, however, couldn't stop thinking about Phoebe. Something wasn't right, and while she'd like to think she was just being paranoid and thinking too much into it, it didn't help. There was something off about the way Phoebe talked about her foster family.

Hayley could practically see the fear in her eyes, but couldn't tell if it was all in her head.

It made her feel a little better seeing as the girl had texted her this morning, but not well enough.

She tried to get into the conversation with Zac and Taylor, but couldn't fully commit to anything, only adding a few words or half assed laughs here and there.

The three decided to return back to the bar that they went to last night since they liked the atmosphere and knew it was a quick walk to other bars if they changed their mind at some point throughout the night.

Hayley was mostly keeping to herself until Taylor gently tugged her hand, "Hey, isn't that the kid from last night?"

This finally got her out of her daze, her head snapping in his direction to see him looking out the window at the park.

"What kid?" Zac asked, having not been told about the incident last night yet.

Taylor turned back, "I accidentally opened a door and hit her in the face, felt bad so we gave her a ride home." He turned his attention to Hayley seeing as they were at a stop light, "She's like, what? 12."

"Fourteen," Hayley mumbled, squinting her eyes at the huddled up figure. Honestly Hayley was a little surprised Taylor even recognized her thanks to the rain and how dark it was outside, even if the street lights and businesses offered some sort of light. She could barely make out her features.

"Is she okay?" Zac asked, his attention now to the girl.

Hayley shook her head, quickly opening the door and getting out of the car.

"Hayley, what're you doing? Get back in the car." Taylor told her, the light turning green as she shut the door and started walking towards the picnic table, cold rain falling down on her.

***

A/N

chapter 4 slay, thinking chapater 5 might be the last update of the day but we'll see. im so beyond excited to write this and just wanna get it all done considering everything is just sitting in my mind anyway, but im feeling ill so i might nto be able to stay awake lol