A/n: They found her crying. But she won't say why.

Chapter one: the day the laughter stopped.

The hot water hit her body mercilessly. She was thankful for it. It was damn near scalding, but she was past caring. She wanted it to burn. She wanted it to hurt. She was sat curled up under the stream of water, her bare back against the cold tile wall. Her neatly piled clothes now lay scattered around, as soaked as she was. She didn't care. She lay her head on her knees and shook slightly.

Chase and Logan walked in.
"Someone's had fun." Chase murmered, indicating at the girls clothes laid haphazardly on the floor of the boys locker room. Logan snickered as they walked past the stalls, it wasn't uncommon for boys to bring girls into the shower with them. Usually the cheerleaders. Then they saw her. Trembling in a ball. Curled up under the pressure of the water jet, completely undressed and crying. Neither recognised her at first. Logan approached her slightly frightened. She didn't look up. She didn't appear to have noticed him. He turned off the water. That got her attention. She looked up but said nothing.

"Dana..." He asked uncertainly. She burst into tears again. Instantly Logan knew something was very very wrong. Dana had never once cried, not infront of him. Now the fourteen year old was sat naked, shaking, and obviously terrified. He threw his towel over her to make her decent. She seemed marginally thankful. She stopped crying, but didn't speak. Chase stood looking shocked.
"Is she ok?" Logan shook his head.

They walked her down the corridor, and into their room. Chase dug out some clothes for her. She dried and dressed herself in their ensuite, then came in without a word. Logan sat beside her but when he tried to touch her she flinched away. Her hair was soaking, and dripped down the back of her shirt, making her shiver. Logan could see somethig was missing from her eyes. Her twinkle was missing. Her spark that always said: BACK OFF I'M DANA CRUZ was gone. He reached for the towel and towelled her hair dry. She didn't protest.

"What happened?" Chase asked gingerly. She shook her head, but said nothing. Logan shook his head at Chase, indicating that they shouldn't ask questions. Seeing the bruise blossoming on her cheek he figured what had happened already. She'd been beaten up. And he knew who by aswell.
"Dana, s'ok." Logan promised her. He draped one arm around her and was slightly surprised when he got blood on his sleeve.
"Dude, what's wrong?"
"She's bleeding." It wasn't a bad cut or anything, it had clotted and started to heal over already, her hair was matted with blood.
"Should we get the nurse." Dana shook her head so violently she fell off the bed. Logan looked a little alarmed.
"Want me to get Katie beaten up for you?" He asked.

Katie and Dana had been at war since Dana made the soccer team. She was a tough girl and the two were always scrabbling over something. This time though, Katie appeared to have gone way overboard. Dana smiled vaguely. She gave a half laugh and shook her head gently. Logan figured she was plotting revenge. He surveyed her gently. The more he looked at her the rougher she looked. Large bruises had blossomed on her arms and that was the only part of her really exposed by the T-shirt. He suspected she may have worse injuries below.

"You gonna do it yourself?" He asked. Dana gave an absent shrug. She stood up. "You gonna be ok Dana?" Dana nodded but said nothing. Her spark still wasn't there. Events still replaying in her head, she left the room without a goodbye. She tried not to cry. She had always been a strong girl. How had she not been able to hold her own back there? She was disgusted with herself. She should've hit back.

For over a week Dana didn't speak. Not a word. They had no way of knowing if she was ok. Logan and Chase seemed to have made a silent pact not to tell the others about what had happened. She looked scarily sick. Her spark had gone and her face seemed hollow. Logan tried to comfort her by holding her hand. She'd give a vague thoughtful smile before letting go and moving. Another week after the shower incident, Dana spoke. Not vocally. Not like any normal person. She tacked a note to her dorm room door, and dragged her suitcase out of the front gates.

'Hey guys,
I'm leaving PCA. No questions asked. Cell Phone number changed, don't call.Love you all,
Dana Cruz.'

Logan was devastated. How had he not been able to see this was on her mind? He should've asked her. He should've continued to pry. Chase was slightly shocked but not surprised. He had reason to believe Katie may have been gloating, and Dana was a proud girl. She wouldn't take an ego dent from anyone. Zoey figured there had been a death in her family, and that had been perhaps why she didn't want to speak to anyone for the past two weeks. They were all wrong.

A/n: Short chapter. Sorry. But hey it is 6am! Review please.