"Ma'am do you need a ride", a cab driver asked as I nodded and climbed in I told him my address as he kept to himself.
I wrapped my head around the fact that people would be there when I got home. When I was at my apartment I would go home and come out 3 days later.But now I had to escape the light."Ma'am you've arrived", he said as I passed him the money Massey gave me and as I was closing the door he said"It gets better".Would it get better, I live with a man who thinks I'm insane and has no feelings for me, and my father who beats me until I can barely breathe.I rung the doorbell as my key was now in my father's office hopefully Massey would grab it. I knocked again as I heard a heavy groan coming down the stairs.He swung open the door as I hid my battered wrists from his sight. I rushed in as I needed my own space. He rushed after me waiting to insult me every step of the way."What's with the coat it's 91°outside?", he chuckled as my pace grew faster trying to race to my room. I shut my door as he barged in and just as he opened it he grabbed my coat and tore it off, his eyes got wide. As he saw my wrists all purple and battered up. He saw my legs a dark red covered them as my cover couldn't hide them anymore and blood was all over my shoes. He saw me as pity overwhelmed his eyes and he stared at me like a stranger."What the fuck happened", he looked at me as he rushed over."GET OUT", I screamed as he tried to hug me and I shooed his hands away from my body as tears fell from my cheeks."GET THE FUCK OUT", I said as he wrapped his arms around me not letting go. I pushed and shoved but his strong hands held me down. I squirmed under his figure as tears escaped from my cheek. He held me down as I remembered the last time I had this hug, I was in pain and my mother hugged me until I fell asleep in her arms.NolanShe shivered in my arms as I held her tight making her forget whoever had hurt her before. I was an asshole, a horrible one but she was in pain physical and mental.I saw her as she stopped pushing away and buried her face in my chest as I felt her hot breath against me, making sure she was breathing. She cried as I hugged her tighter, I was comforting her the girl I promised I would never love, the girl who irritates me in every way, needed me.She pulled herself up to my shoulder as I heard her slightly fall asleep, her eyelashes gave her green eyes that sparkle that she needed. I wiped away her tears, her tears that made me change the way I saw her.She was beautiful, an angelic face I was holding. She snuggled into my chest as I wished I could take back all the times I had hurt her, starting with yesterday.I picked her frail body up and carried her to my bedroom I wasn't going to leave her vulnerable body alone. I went to find Ms.Johnson, I knew a woman like Natalie wouldn't want me to see her naked.I saw Ms. Johnson dusting as I hurried over to her and she saw the fear in my eyes."Ms. Johnson something horrible happened to Natalie", I said as she whacked my head with her duster and hurried up the stairs, I followed her.She opened the door as I saw a tear fall down her cheek and she quickly kicked me out of the room and I was lost and I had no clue what to do.I needed to help Natalie but I had no idea how too. I hurried down to the kitchen, to make some quick pasta.Ms. Johnson had taught me how to cook at a young age, she instructed me to be a man with the ladies, but with Natalie, I was the complete opposite of a gentleman. I was a monster, but I was aiming to fix it.I made the best comfort food there were butter noodles.I plated it on a bowl as Ms. Johnson came out of the door."What happened", she said as I could see the tears that had been there."She was going to work and then she came back with this large coat on and nothing in her hand, so I uh-", I brushed my hair nervously with my fingers."What did you do", she said yanking me by the ear, so that I was her height."I took the coat off", I said as I felt an immediate whack to my head with a newspaper as she yanked me harder by my ear."you young man you will take care of her, you will give her a foot rub if she wants, I will know, I always know especially your whores you think you can sneak in the house I always know son. You will give her everything she wants and I will return in a week to see progress", she said as she threw a rag and told me to give her the food.I opened the room door and saw her in bed lying there like she couldn't move, like she was frozen. I sat on the chair next to her as she slept peacefully. I would give her anything she ever wanted and I will make sure this bastard pays, whoever did this."Where am I", she groaned as she tried to get up as I gently pushed her down."Easy", I said as she looked so confused."Let me go", she demanded as I backed away and she groaned in pain."You can leave now, thank you but I've been doing this for years", she let slip out as I felt a tear go down my cheek. She sounded used to it. And that's the moment I knew I would never let anyone hurt her again.Natalie"I meant I can handle myself thank you", I said as I waited for him to leave me to be alone with my thoughts. I heard the door open as I waited to get up, he entered back in with a bowl of noodles in his hand. Comfort food."I can feed you", he said looking confused. I chuckled as if I couldn't care for myself. A sharp pain came to my side as I made eye contact with him as he saw me hold my side."We need a doctor", he said as I screamed at him. If my father found out I would be dead and so would she. He came running back as I knew I needed to tell him."Please don't tell my father", I said as he looked confused."It'll just worry him", I said as he understood it. He nodded as I bit into the noodle tasting each flavor of such a simple, but comforting meal. He took a seat on the chair as he stared at me with his piercing hazel eyes."What, Do I have something on my face", I laughed as I wiped my chin."No it's not that, you are just so beautiful", He said as my cheeks we
Natalie's POV"Who did this to you?", a slight whisper came from Nolan. My body stretched against the cold sofa and I suddenly felt his presence leave the room. I wanted to say a name, but I knew the rules, and I knew that 'my father', Daniel wasn't afraid of showing me that I needed to follow them. He loved his power over me and everyone who walked this damned earth.I cuddled up against the pillow next to mine, and I knew he was right, it wasn't just the mattress. That intoxicating smell was comforting and as much as I despised the man wearing it, the scent brought me safety and security. Something about this total stranger told me that he wouldn't hurt me, like Daniel did."You love my pillow", Nolan gawked as I quickly opened my eyes to the bright sun and the shadow of the man. I quickly released the pillow into his hands and he climbed into bed under the million of weighted layers."No wonder the Ice Princess's room is like an icebox", he commented and I began to push him out
(Chats with Avery)Avery Hey, just wondering how everything's going?NatalieIt's goingAveryNolan warmed up to you, yet?NatalieI thought we were getting somewhere, but he just left.AveryI'm coming over.She texted as I started freaking out my body was scarred and bandaged. When I was in my apartment I never had to worry if people were coming over it was just me. I couldn't stop her, maybe I could cover it up. I didn't want to lie or tell her a phony truth.I got up out of the warm bed and hoped that if I took a shower it would cause the scars to fade. I was wishing for a miracle. I stripped my clothes off and turned the faucet on as I checked the temperature making sure it wouldn't scorch my body. I found myself in the mirror above the sink, I saw my trashed body, my extremely red stomach, my arms had gashes in them with old blood surrounding them. I was disgusted by my body it made me feel gross. I was gross, the water ran as a tear escaped my eye. Leaving me vuln
Natalie's POV"I really must be going", Avery spoke as she started lacing her shoes back on and Nolan leaned against the stairway of the beige stairs."Don't go we're having fun", I said and I leaned against her and gave her a side hug. After what happened the last few hours, Nolan and I couldn't stop exchanging awkward glances, on my end they were awkward, but on his he saw his stares as a way to make me feel so undermined and controlled. I found him controlling and intimidating a side he used to keep me in check. I didn't want to be alone with him, knowing next time maybe I wouldn't be able to put my hormones to the side and have my brain act. I looked at Avery with pleading eyes."I have to, I have work in the morning, speaking of work you have to come you'd be a perfect model, you definitely have the looks", she grinned at her brother, and she looked back at me. She definitely wanted to ignite a flame between Nolan and I and then she'd want to hear all about it tomorrow."I'll
Natalie "Your such a badass, my brother doesn't deserve you", Avery ranted on and on as I zoned her out looking out at the clouds wanting an explanation, of why he was like this. I didn't feel like a badass, I felt like I want to know more about this new surfaced behavior from him."I love this song", she said as she started singing and I sang with her to the lyrics. My goal was to forget about everything that happened tonight and just lose my head. After thirty minutes of restless singing and dancing, we arrived at the glowing bar."You ready", she said as we hopped the line as she showed her I.D and pulled me along with her. The line outside of the bar was filled with people and paparazzi, snapping pictures on cameras or telephones.The atmosphere was so lively, I smudged my lipstick as Avery pulled me along passing drinks and drinks lining the bar. She pulled me down to a couple of empty barstools as a bartender came close to us waiting for our drink order."Two shots of tequ
The pounding of my head continued over and over again. I opened my eyes to the scolding sun, feeling it against my cold skin as I looked around a room I had never been to before, but as a familiar face turned over, I guessed this was Avery's house."Someone got wasted last night", she echoed as I groaned from the head ache that crept up on me as I faced her. She cuddled into the bed next to me as I rested on her shoulder."Please I don't want to remember it", I looked away from the light as she ran her fingers through my hair."You really hate him that much huh", she looked at me with sad eyes, it was her brother I hated so much but she wanted us to work out."The sober me says that I only liked him a little bit, all other celebrity crushes higher than him, my heart still belongs to Harry Styles", she agreed to the last part."He's just so mean, and he doesn't understand what he's saying half the time and I can't see myself with him, I'm a penguin and he's a
He assisted me in the black SUV as I felt his hand still on my back keeping me in place. I wanted to hop out of this car ad run as far as I could, that kiss was something of fire and lust. The kiss was stemmed from the hate that lingered throughout the time I've known him. Our banter was the one thing that caused this moment of confusion, it created these moments where I felt my pride being set aside and my confidence shined through, which necessarily wasn't the best. Our hatred was still there, but maybe Avery was right the tension was too much to handle.He climbed on the other side and all I felt was awkward, there was no talking, and just me giving him the weirdest looks.I wondered what he thought of our kiss, was I a good kisser? Should I have used more lip, should I have opened my mouth? They should make a book about this.I put our kiss on a pause as I decided to be confident, and show him that he doesn't defy me."Can you get me up to speed about our mee
"I'm actually an employee, here", I responded as she readjusted knowing that I wasn't a hooker. She looked back at Nolan, giving him a light wave as he grabbed a file and made his way over. She smoothed her hair out and dusted off any lint located on her outfit. He got closer and she stood up straight pointing out her breasts."Nolan I-", she spoke as she was quickly interrupted."It's Mr. Clemente, Ms. Roach", he said making her know of her place and wanting her to stay there. I've heard of these stories the boss falls in love with the PA and I could tell this was definitely not the case.Nolan let me leave to explore the office and just figure out the jist of things. Except I had no clue what I was even here. Should I just sit down at a computer and start working?Sarcastic Bitch was just leaving the room, thankfully as I pondered asking Nolan about my responsibilities to the company."Nolan, can I talk to you for a second", I asked him as she stopp
3 years later I jumped out of my seat, rushing to turn in my 1,000 word essay written in the span of three hours. I slipped it on the professor's desk and held onto my pair of books, rushing out of the school's doors. People rushed and sprinted past me, as I looked down the street for my red ride. Like a proper man Dallas was, he was leaning against the car, reading. It was the last string of our junior classes before we went on a much needed and deserved spring break trip. Dallas and I had been looking forward to spring break, ever since we had planned it. Davina and I had planned a trip, with some of our other friends. Each couple was all going to head down to Greece for the remainder of the week. We both needed a break massively, especially some alone time with just the two of us would be good. I needed just time basking in his gaze and the suns. It sounded heavenly. Especially because Dallas and I were going to drive down to home for two days, right before the trip. I needed to
"Melody Clemente". My principal dearly said as I walked across the stage and shook his hand, I beamed at the person next to him and instead of the handshake that normally would have been given. He hugged me, Nolan had been something of a father figure the past few years. He loved my sister like she was the whole solar system, and he loved me too. He saw me as his own flesh and blood, he cared so much. "I'm so proud of you". He said, his eyes glistening as I opened my own eyes. He held his breath, as he kissed my cheek and I walked across the stage. I smiled as I walked down the stage and took a seat. The hundred roll call of students I had become frequented with passed by, my heart smiling as my friends passed by. The people I had learned to love, to cherish. As soon as it was over, I ran to my family. Each with hugs and bouquets of flowers, each and every single one of them had shown up. Avery had come as well as Caroline and Alison too, and Leah as well, and Vi and her had been t
One year Later Tomorrow was a big day. The end of a chapter and the beginning of a new one, filled with adventures, sadness, and joy. But most importantly that independent feeling of searching for yourself amongst the other millions let out to the world. And it was amusing, satisfying and uplifting to know I was able to take this journey on with my best friend. "Mel". Natalie knocked on the door, then opened it. And as she stared at me in the exceptional white dress I had picked, tears watered down her face. I was going to be let out on my own, no longer hers. But the world's in a way. "You look beautiful". She gushed, my cheeks blushing a maddening red. She wiped the tears from her cheeks as I turned to face the mirror, my own reflection beaming back at me. "Tomorrow's a big day, huh?" She said, her voice rising and soft from the tears. She understood it, the feeling of saying goodbye, letting go. "What if I'm not ready?" I asked her, my voice stumbling on the next words to come
She was smiling, the brightest I had ever seen her smile. As she was surrounded with people who loved her. She was happy, to have freedom, to not feel trapped on a hospital floor.It had been three weeks since we had arrived back, and Dallas and I had thrown her a party. A party for the masses, with her friends from the hospital visiting, even that small sweet boy who she wanted to watch a movie with. She was happy, and healthy and safe and she was responding amazingly to the medicine that she was on.It was weird to say she was okay now, I think even Dallas had no idea what to do with himself. He was completely immersing himself in his new project ever since he's gotten back. Keeping it under the wraps for me I assume, but the mysteries behind him will unveil soon, I'm sure.But I felt at peace, the kinks of our relationship fixed to the most we could try. He and I were like lightning every single day. The most amazing chemistry that lived beneath us.Vi was the
It has been five days, of waiting, of breathing each other's air in the small hospital room we were given. We spent the past five days talking. His mind apologizing for every single misstep he could've made. But the issues lied there, he needed help. He needed help more than anyone else here, signally defined by the fact that he wanted to believe that he didn't have anyone. That he was all alone.That he didn't have a system supporting him, a system looking out for him.I wanted to carry his weight, take on his pain, but he carried so much that it was already a part of him. I don't think he knew how to part with it when it was all over. And it saddened me more than anything. It saddened me that this was his life, filled with pain of all sorts. He was afraid to have a life without it I think."She'll be awake soon". I said, softly, stroking his hair to the side as he laid on my lap."She's supposed to be awake already". He said, sighing as we both stared at
He left the office with a stab in his heart, as I chased after him. He was angry, upset at every negative choice word I could think of to describe him and he hated me."Dallas. Please". I yelled out at as he turned to look at me. His eyes stone cold in anger towards me, my heart beating madly as he ravaged me with a single look, brushing into the very depths of my eyes."You don't get to follow me, you don't get to say my name. You are taking away the one person I've loved the most. The one person. I need her, and you-you don't get that". His tears strung high, his heart maddened like a lion roaring from the depths of his heart. He looked at me with hatred, something in all of these moments we shared he had never truly hated me, not like this, not like this moment."Just leave". He begged, my feet frozen in their very place. My mind lost into his eyes, the stare of hatred not of love. "Just leave". He begged again, his eyes ready to tear me apart, piece after p
The rush of the wind carried us home, well it tried to survive beneath us but the worry crept in as we loaded the plane. Vi stared longingly at the view before we stepped into the plane. Like she was saying goodbye to her heart as she left. Like her heart was being left here.Dallas had the same expression. He didn't know it, but it was written all over his face, the dread of returning. The dread of resurfacing the reality of our lives.He knew what this meant, this idea that everything was about to be gone, the memories, the truth. I think the reality of this hurt Dallas the most."Leaving is the worst part". Dallas said, his arm wrapping around Vi as she looked up at him. She smiled softly, aware of the situation she was in, aware of the world she was in. Aware of the ending to her story."I'm not getting better". She heaved out, her voice breaking, her heart melting. And I finally saw that she was holding all this in, because she didn't believe it would get th
It's a gawdy feeling. A gawdy feeling as my chest tightened staring out of the home's balcony. We were leaving today. Leaving our escape to a reality filled with nothing close to normalcy and I didn't and wouldn't be able to accept the fact that everyone was waiting for Vi to just give up. She didn't have it in her, she had the fight in her and it was apparent, apparently loud."Thinking of something?" A hand snaked around my waist, as I felt his head rest on my shoulder. I didn't know how his head was straight properly, I didn't know how he wasn't a mess, but whatever was working I hoped it continued for him."Just how- beautiful it is". Lie. An apparent lie. I wasn't a fan of forests. The empty nothing, empty nobody. They were amusing, but not what's in them. That's nothing but amusing."It is beautiful". He agreed. His small form of agreement won me over a million reasons why I should pry through his mind."I gave Vi her breathing treatment, but she's r
My stomach stormed aloud, my heart too as I looked down at Dallas from my bedroom window, there he stood with a bag of food and my work for the week. I had enjoyed the company of my personal mail boy more than I should've. I slid down my ladder out of the window as he smiled."I missed you". He said, pushing his hands around me as I looked over at him and he smiled, he moved his head to the side as I pulled myself against him. My lips locked with his as I breathed in his husky scent, the way the words rolled off his tongue."I missed you too." I said, kicking off the other bag he had brought. He moved it to the side as I heard the thud of my favorite thing, of my absolute favorite thing. He saw my curious look as he opened the bag wider and he moved the bag to the side and I saw books more and more books as I toppled over him, hugging him with everything I had in me."Thank you for keeping me from losing my mind". I said, watching as he looked at me with a proud smile