Battle Scars

Battle Scars Part 4

Stella went to touch the pill bottle but quickly pulled her hand away as she had flashes in her mind…seeing her father and his girlfriend taking pills….being high out of their minds…she didn’t want to end up like that. But she couldn’t take her eyes away, wondering about what it would feel like to just…fall asleep and never wake up…never having to feel pain or be hurt every again. She let out a teary sign before closing the cabinet…not today she thought, she wiped her face and cleaned herself up a little before plastering a fake smile on her face and going back downstairs. She made sure to put her sleeve down so no one could see the fresh cut that was still slightly bleeding on her arm…they all looked and smiled at her as she sat down beside nick…except Jake…Jake smirked at her giving her a look, a look that made her sick to her stomach. they all began talking but then there was a silent pause that Jake broke by talking to Stella.

Jake-so Stella…you look kinda warm in that sweater why don’t you take it off
Stella-no no I'm fine, I'm cold anyway
Jake-but your sweating
Stella-cold sweat
Jake-why would you say that, do you have something to hide
Stella-no but even if I didn’t, I’ve only known you not even a day so my private life or whatever is under this sweater is none of your business. So re-frane from talking about my upper torso I this sweater, I'm not hot…I'm not sweating I'm perfectly fine…got it??

Everyone looked a little stunned…especially Jake…he didn’t know she would do that and Nick sure as hell wouldn’t even think that she would defend herself after all the stuff that happened.

Jake-that was kind of rude
Stella-well I'm not sorry for saying that because you were budding into my privacy, and I don’t appreciate that. I'm sorry everyone but I need to be along…I will see everyone later

They all said bye except Jake as she walked upstairs, none of them said a word until Stella’s door closed.

Leah-great job captain pain in the ass, you made her leave
Karen-what’s the matter with you
Jake-nothing but I swear she had something to hid…am I the only one that noticed the blood seeping through her sweater.
Dan-no one saw that but you, even if she was bleeding that her damn business, you don’t need to be in it or in her life
Nick-I think you should leave my house right now
Jake-fine…but Nick remember push me too far…and that will be the end of you, I hold the key to your damn job

Jake got up and walked out slamming the door behind him…Nick just shook his head and signed.

Dan-don’t worry about him man, he can’t do anything. His father holds that key not him
Leah-right besides you’re the best photographer he has, he wouldn’t dare fire you or his company would go down in flames. You’re like his #1…he fires you then no models will come back to him especially since your brought in most of his customers who are loyal to you.
Nick-*laughs* thanks guys

They kept talking for a while until everyone decided to go home since it was getting late…it was close to ten at night when everyone decided to head out…Nick went upstairs and peeked his head into Stella’s room. He slowly walked in seeing that she was asleep…he looked closely at her face to see the tear stains on her cheeks…he slowly let his fingers caress her cheeks…he couldn’t help but smile looking at her but…also felt bad looking at her tiny frame…the bruises and the scars…it broke his heart to see an innocent girl put through so much. He kissed the top of her head…he looked to his left to see her blade on the floor, he shook his head and picked it up before leaving to his room and putting the blade in his bathroom cabinet, he stripped down and showered before putting on a fresh pair of boxers and laying in his bed. His phone vibrated, he saw it was Ciara so he ignored it and slowly fell asleep…thinking of Stella and how he could help her.

(the next day…10am)

Stella slowly woke up and signed before walking to the bathroom…she could barely look herself in the mirror without thinking of what happened with Jake…it scared her and she could never deny that…it was the first time she had anything done to her sexually and she didn’t like it at all…she didn’t want anyone to touch her or hurt her but what could she do…he would just sneak around and force her into anything he said, she did it to save nicks job…she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if he got fired from his job. She took a shower then changed into new clothes…they were old and a little torn up but she didn’t care, getting new things wasn’t on her mindset anyway.  She made her way downstairs and to the kitchen where nick was drinking coffee and watching the small TV on the counter in his kitchen…he was wearing a white button shirt, with black dress pants and a red tie…he looked ridiculously sexy which made Stella bite her lip a little before shaking her head and walking completely in. he looked over at her and smiled which made her smile too