Painting

Chapter 65

The beginning of this day is not kind to me. My head hurts and my throat is dry. I'm shivering under my covers. I take the glass of water on my nightstand, the lukewarm liquid drips on my lips and chin. My hair is a mess, I didn't shower last night. I just washed my face and went straight to bed.

I get up and toss the covers to the side. I go down the stairs, walk in the kitchen. I eat a little bit and check my phone. I walk in the bathroom and turn on the faucet. I get in. I get the soap and start to slowly rub my body.

I start to notice some bruises on my thighs and my wrists. I rub them hard with the soap, but they don't disappear. Panic starts to creep down my back and I feel a light touch between my shoulder blades.

I hear Teddy in the back, opening the door of the bathroom. I look at him through the glass door. The water keeps falling on my shoulder blades.

-I'm almost done, I'll be right there.

-Really? That's unfortunate, I wanted to join you.

I put my hand on the wall, then my forehead.

He starts to undress. My heart starts to beat faster.

-I have things to do.

He takes off his jeans.

-Like what?

-Something for work.

-You work at a library. The only thing you have to do is show up. Just say that you don't want me to come join you.

-That's not it.

No. Stop. I grab my hair.

He gets inside the shower. I force a smile on my face, he bites his lip and takes my hand. He drags it across his chest and down. He puts his hand next to my head. I can feel his breath getting deeper and warmer on my neck.

-Can I go now?

-We were just getting started. Where do you have to go so bad?

-It's just some errands.

He grabs my hair and hit my head slightly on the wall.

-What's going on? It's like you don't want to spend time with me anymore.

-No... It's just...

-Just what huh?

-My head hurts. Let go, please.

-Alright then.

He lets go of my hair and grabs the inside of my knee. He brings it up and takes both of my wrists with one hand.

-So? Now tell me.

-You're...

-I am?

-You can be a little bit overwhelming.

-Overwhelming?

-Yes and possessive.

-Well, I have to. Don't I?

-What?

-I have to keep you close.

His grip on the back of my knee tightens.

-Otherwise, you would leave me.

-No, I...

-Shhh... I'm not finished.

His grip is getting painful on both my thigh and my wrists. A gasp comes out of my mouth and my cheeks get flushed. I press my lips together.

-Even if you would come back in no time, because let's be honest here, you need me.

He takes a mocking tone.

-You're nothing without me in this big scary world. You're just a confused little girl.

My lips begin to tremble, my chin hurts. Tears come to flood my face.

-I know, I know, the thought of it scares you... But don't worry, I won't let you out of my sight.

No! I run out of the shower and my stomach rejects the little bit of food I had ingested. I get my hair out of my face. Then, I run in the kitchen and open my water bottle. I chug it to rinse my mouth. I lay down on the cold ceramic and close my eyes.

I open my eyes and I feel a slight sting on the back of my head. My whole body is sore. With my arms and my hands, I search blindly for my phone. The pain on the back of my head gets to the front. My legs feel heavy.

I finally take my phone on the counter and type Tyler's number.

-Hey June! Where are you? You didn't show up.

-Tyler...

-Wow, are you alright?

-I need help.

-Where are you?

-My apartment.

I hear him talk to Victor faintly.

-Take the keys... Go start the car.... June?

-Yeah?

-Stay there, do you want me to stay on the line?

-Yes, please, don't go.

-I won't, we're coming.

-I'm so tired.

-Don't go to sleep, yet.

-I won't.

-What happened?

-I can't move.

-Is someone with you?

-No.

-Can you unlock your door?

-Yeah.

I drag myself with my arms. The door is only a couple of feet away. I crawl back to the kitchen and notice that there is sweat all over my skin.

-I don't know what's going on. My head hurts.

-Did you take something? Or hit your head?

-No.

-Just hold on, we're almost there.

A gasp comes out of my mouth. First my lips, then my fingers and my whole body begins to tremble.

I can't hold my phone so, I drop it. I hear Tyler with a panicked voice.

-June? Hey, June? Go faster... I don't care about the speed limit. Victor press your foot on that pedal.

I try to talk but the only thing that comes out is another painful gasp. Little lakes on the ground make me realize that I'm still crying. What will they say, when they find me like this? I hear Teddy's voice echoing in my head.

-Baby stop this crying, you're making me feel like I'm the bad guy. If I didn't love you that much... Here, I'll stop holding your wrists like that and I'll hold your head gently. Is it better?

I wrap my legs with my arms and clutch them close. I whisper to myself. You'll never touch me again.

A loud rattling in the staircase. Help is on the way. My eyes slowly close against my will. Just one more moment, please.

The door opens up slowly. Light and warmth touches my exposed skin. My shivering body absorbs as much of it as possible. Then I see them and for a mere moment, I worry about what I look like. When my lips touch, it feels like they're very dry. Then my mind comes back to its primary purpose; surviving.