The Year of Maybe

Chapter Four

I glance into a floor length mirror and notice the t-shirt almost completely covers the boxers... Almost. "Hey, uh Quinn... Do you want something to eat before you go to bed?"

Surprisingly I'm not hungry. Not at all. I haven't eaten since yesterday morning. "Can I just have a glass of ice water?"

"Of course." Ricky returns with a green cup and gives me a once-over.

"Give me a break." I roll my eyes, grab the water from him and sink onto the round bed.

"So... I will be on the couch. If you need anything just holler." He winks at me and closes the bedroom door behind him.

I shove my face into a blue body pillow and let out a huge sigh that turns into a growl as I start punching the pillow with all my strength. Has it really come to this, Quinn? You are beating a poor pillow... It hasn't done anything to you. My arms becomes tired from the continuous punches so I drop it weakly and let it rest on the pillow. Then the tears come, one after another until the whole pillow is soaked with my anger and sadness. My eyes sting and my heart seems to beat faster than a hummingbird's wings.

Finally, I let sleep over-come me and I fall into a slippery black void that carries no comfort or pain... Just a vast empty black.

++++

Pain shoots through my head as Eli's fist contacts my right eye. A huge wave of dizziness washes over me and I clutch my eye, hoping that magically somehow the pain will go away... But it doesn't. An achy pain throbs through my head as high pitched ringing fills my ears. I search frantically for an exit and I come upon a large door. The sound of heavy footsteps cover ground behind me as I reach for the doorknob. It is only then that I realize... There isn't one. I turn around to see Eli standing tall in front of me with his right hand behind his back and his left hand balled into a tight fist. His knuckles turn white and his face is flush of all emotion. He takes a few steps forward and puts his face near the crook of my neck.

I close my eyes as his lips brush my skin sending chills down my spine. Butterflies fill my stomach while I remember the good times we had, all of the sweet texts, the trips to the coast guard. This is the Eli I remember... The butterflies become jittery and start trying to escape. Flames begin to lick my stomach threatening to set my whole body on fire. Butterflies don't usually do this... I open my eyes and begin to panic. My hands fly to the fire attempting to bat it away... But all I feel is the cold metal of a blade. I trace my fingers of a handle that Eli clutches. His hand begins moving as does the blade. The flames grow and Eli twists the knife. I fall to the floor reaching for the handle and painstakingly yank it out. He turns on his foot and leaves. My hands tremble as I drop the blood-covered weapon on the carpet.

I let out a shaky breath and gasp for air all while I realize that Eli stabbed me. Eli just stabbed me in the stomach and now I am going to bleed out. I feel pressure on my shoulders and I hear a recognizable name beckon me to consciousness.

++++

"Quinn... Quinn!" Ricky stands over me wide eyed and shakes my shoulders. I sit up abruptly and take a minute to gather my bearings. Ricky's room... It was just a dream. Quit being so paranoid. "You were screaming, what's wrong?"

"I'm s-sorry... I didn't mean to wake you... I just, it was Eli. Eli stabbed me and there was no way out and his house was in the middle of nowhere and I didn't know what to do and I panicked and there was blood everywhere an-,"

Ricky kisses me softly; a nice way of telling me to shut up. He stands straight and presses his hands to either sides of his temples and says, "I am... So sorry.... I... That was unnecessary. I shouldn't have done that." He purses his lips and walks for the door.

"Ricky, wait!" He turns and leans against the door frame. His cheeks are painted a soft pink, his black shirt hanging loosely around his body. "Please don't go... I need you to stay with me. Please... Just for tonight."

His brow furrows; a sign of his consideration, before he returns to my side. Ricky peels back the covers and slides into the bed next to me. I turn to my right side, away from him and pull my knees up to my chest. I can feel his warm breath on my neck as my heart begins to pound loudly in my chest threatening to explode. My cheeks become hot as I realize he can probably hear it. "Can I ask you something?" I let the question hang there for awhile as silence pursues. I realize it was probably too late to take it back. "Why are you letting me stay here...?"

He takes in a small breath, "Who can just do that to someone? This "Eli"... No man should ever treat you like that... I thought I would show you how a real man act towards you." I bite my lip as a smile tries to surface. I feel him shift on the bed behind me and he places his hand on my waist. "You should be treated with respect. And the guy who did this to you, he has some serious hell to pay."

Any barriers I put up, are crashing down. It almost seems wrong that I am moving on this fast; is this illegal in the dating world? Just the other day Eli and I were fine... But Ricky is flattering, intimidating. It almost seems unreal; and the reality is, I'm totally fine with that.