Maya’s POV
The video of Chloe tied up kept playing in my mind all morning. I could not eat breakfast. I could not think clearly. When Chloe called me for lunch I wanted to say no but I knew I had to act normal. I met her at our usual restaurant. She sat at a corner table wearing a bright yellow dress. She smiled when she saw me but her eyes looked tired.
“Maya you came,” she said and hugged me tight. “I ordered your favorite pasta already.”
We sat down. The smell of food made my stomach turn. Chloe started talking about normal things. Clothes. Movies. Her classes. I tried to smile and nod but my mind kept going back to the video. Her father holding a knife. Her scared face. Inside I felt heavy guilt. How can I sit here and eat with her when I know what her dad does to me every day?
“Yo
