"You're just a stupid slut like your mother!" he yelled.
    She crumpled to the ground as his fist made contact with her side. Tears streamed down her face but she didn't argue with him. She knew better. Arguing equals hitting in her family.
    "Hey, Luka. What's up?" Zac asked, hugging her. He didn't see the grimace of pain that crossed Luka's face as Zac's arm touched her side.
    Taking a deep breath to fight back the tears, Luka said, "Nothing much." She broke the hug and sat down on the front porch.
    "What's that on your side?" Zac's eyes dropped to the greenish-yellow bruise that was visible below the hem of Luka's shirt.
    "It's nothing," Luka said, moving her arms in an attempt to hide the bruise. Why did I wear such a short shirt? She thought.
    "What happened, Luka?" Zac sat down next to her on the porch. This isn't the first time I've seen a bruise like that one her… he thought.
    "I got hurt during dance class. That's all. I'm fine…" she trailed off, not meeting Zac's eyes.
    "Let me see it," Zac said firmly. He reached for her arm but she pulled away.
    "I- I - I have to go to the bathroom," she said, getting up and rushing inside Zac's house.
    Zac put his head down in his hands and sighed angrily. Damnit. He hit her again I know it.
    "Hey, Zac?" Zac lifted his head at the sound of Isaac's voice.
    "Yeah, Ike?"
    "I thought you should know that I just passed by the bathroom and I saw Luka checking out a nasty bruise in the mirror," Ike said, slowly, "I asked her about it and she mumbled something about dance class. I'm not an expert on ballet, but I don't think you can get bruises like that from dancing."
    "I saw it, Ike. She told me that she got hurt in dance class. But she hasn't been in dance class in over a month. She hurt her leg and the doctors told her not to dance for a few months… I know her father hit her again, but I can't do anything about it," Zac said, frustrated to the point of tears.
    "I know, Zac, but the only thing you can do is be there for her. Or try talking about it with her… Might help," Isaac said, getting up to go inside again.
    "Thanks, Isaac."

    Taking a deep breath, Zac said, "I know what really happened." Gingerly touching the bruise on his friend's side, he asked, "What pissed him off this time, Luka?"
    "I don't know. Let's drop it, okay?" Luka answered.
    "Luka, he could've broken a rib. You could have internal damage and not even know. He's your father for God's sake, is this how he show his love? By beating you?"
    "He doesn't realize he's doing it and it doesn't happen that often anymore. Everything is fine, Zac. I can take care of myself," Luka said.
    "But Luka, you haven't. This is not healthy or safe for you. There are people you can talk to, counselors--"
    "----Zac, Do you realize what happens when you tell someone like that? Social Services steps in. They took me away from my family when I was 6, Zac. I lived in 8 different foster homes in 2 months. The fights aren't usually so bad… I swear," Luka said, looking at Zac for the first time since they sat down. Her eyes were filled with tears.
    "But maybe that's what's best. Maybe you need to go somewhere where you'll be safe--"
    "You don't get it, Zac," Luka interrupted. "When my father dies, I want to have at least one good memory of him. Just one. And things were getting better until last night. But if I'm in foster care, they can't get better and I will only have those memories of him." As she finished her sentence, one lone tear trailed down her cheek and landed on the sidewalk.
    "But, Luka, can't you see how much he's hurting you?" Zac asked, looking directly into her eyes.
    "I'm fine, Zac. It's not your business anyway," Luka said.
    Zac looked down at his feet as he searched for the words to try and make things clear to her. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
    "But it is, Luka. You're my friend," Zac said, looking up to see that she was no longer there.
    "And he's hurting you…"