Saving Belle

Chapter 22

Kyla's POV

     After everything that happened last night, Fin suggested that we all stay together at someone's house. Kylie and Tom said we could all stay at their apartment, especially since their apartment has a lot of security around the building. That made me feel safe. 

     Nathan and Jessie were furious when we went home and explained what happened. Nathan stormed out of the house to go down to the station. He said that the way those cops treated me was unacceptable and he said he will find out who they were. Jessie tried to comfort me but I felt like my skin was crawling and really wanted to be left alone. After we explained everything one more time to Jessie we left and headed to Kylie and Tom's apartment.

     The apartment is nice. Their walls were made from old fashion red bricks resembling a fire house and the living room was styled like a beach house with sandy tones and hues. For being so young they seem to really know what they want.

     Kylie set up a bunch of blankets and pillows across the living room floor. I was next to the window, Luca near the door and Fin somewhere between us in the middle of the room. The way they set up the sleeping arrangements made me feel safe. Me being the furthest from the door meant that I had two people in front of me that have and will protect me if something were to happen.

     "Hey Kyla?" I here Kylie shout from the kitchen. I sit up and lean over seeing her scrambling to find something in the cabinets. "Do you know how to cook?"

     I giggle a little before getting up to offer my help. When I reach her I notice that Kylie genuinely looked stressed to cook. Reaching out I softly touch her arm which makes her halt. I smile and say, "What do you have in here?"

     She lets out a big sigh and shows me her cabinets and fridge. I pull out the potatoes, carrots, and chicken before I start filling pots with water. After about a half hour of my instructions on what to do I learned that Kylie has no idea how to cook. By the time we finished, there was five plates filled with honey glazed carrots, garlic roasted mashed potatoes and grilled chicken. The boys all scarfed the food down as fast as they could while me and Kylie laughed at their reactions.

     Fin looked up at me, "How?"

     I tilt my head, "How what?"

     "How did you learn to cook like this? Kylie I love you like a sister and all but you could burn a pot of water."

     Kylie threw a carrot at Fin and he caught it in his mouth, "Hey! I can cook!"

     All the boys laughed and shook their head. I smile and say softly," She helped me ya know?"

     The boys shut up and looked at me with wide eyes, "Really?" they said in unison.

      I nodded my head and we all continued eating silently.

     We spent the rest of the night playing card games meant for old men in a home and watching comedy shows that I've never heard of. It was really nice. I paid special attention to one thing tonight; the way that Fin kept looking at me. It wasn't necessarily a look of worry or anything like that. His eyes seemed to being staring through me, almost like he could see my soul. It made my stomach do flips in ways I can't explain.

      Soon it was time for everyone to go to bed. Kylie and Tom went to their room and the rest of us went to our respective spots on the floor. I curled into a ball right under the window while the boys spread out like tall starfish.

     Once I close my eyes I feel my body start to relax. The faint sound of the TV mixed with Luca's loud snoring was calming and soon I drift to sleep.

*Warning*

     I wake to the feeling of a hand sliding down my panties and to my core. My eyes shoot open but it's too dark to see anything. The hand is rough and it hurts. 

      "Sto-" my shout is cut off my another hand wrapping around my face stopping me from saying anything else. I plea and plea but nothing is coherent enough.

     "Shhh," His voice whispers in my ear, "It's okay baby girl. You'll love this." 

     I start to wiggle around, trying desperately to stop what is about to happen but nothing works. He is too strong and I am too weak. Before I can't say anything else he is inside of me and all I feel is pain.

*Warning over*

     My eyes shoot open and I take a breath. I grab my shoulders and take slow deep breaths to ground myself. I'm safe and Eric isn't here. He's in jail and I am here.

      "Hey." A voice whispers. My head jerks in the direction of the voice, it's Fin. He is sitting up staring at me. His eyes show worry but he's trying to hide it with that sweet smile of his. "Can I come sit with you?"

     I nod my head, too afraid of my own voice right now. He crawls over slowly trying not to make too much noise. When he gets to my side he leans against the wall, close enough for me to touch him if I wanted to. My heart skips a beat.

     "You okay? I heard you talking in your sleep. I know it was a nightmare," Fin says to me. 

     I nod again. My throat feels too tight to speak. Suddenly my hand is being held between his two big callused ones. Looking over at him I see him staring down at my arm. He sees the burn marks. 

      I gently clear my throat," the stove."

      His brows scrunch up in confusion. I whisper, "Thomas. He held me down against the stove."

      "Fuck," You could hear the anger in his voice. "I don't understand how they could do this to such an angel."

     His words gave me goosebumps. Angel? 

      "Yes Kyla. You're a little angel." I said that out loud? "Kyla with all the stories you've told us I have never heard you say you did anything. Hell, even if you did do something that doesn't justify anything they did. You are genuinely a good person." 

     I feel myself start to tear up. Fin places his hand on my cheek and rubs small circles. My eyes close and I don't even notice myself leaning into his hand. A few moments later I open my eyes and notice how close we have gotten.

     "Fin?" I ask. He hums in response. "Why are you so kind to me?"

     He smiles with that cute dimple of his, "Because you deserve it. You deserve kindness." I barely notice us leaning closer to each other, "You deserve to be happy."

     We are barely centimeters apart. I can feel his breath on my lips. My heart is racing out of my chest and the butterflies in my stomach feel more like elephants stomping around. With all the courage I have, I lean in. Our lips meet and it feels like everything around me has disappeared.

     I think I've found my happiness.