It Gets Better

Knight in a shining silverado.

When Marley woke up the next morning she couldn’t wait to go to school again. She wanted to see Chevy. He made everything better. But before she went to school, she had to figure out how the hell she was going to cover up the handprint her mom left on her face. She didn’t want to have to explain to Chevy what had happened last night… and almost every night.

She covered the mark as best she could with her makeup and then went to school. When she got to school, no one had said anything about or asked, so she thought she covered it. But as soon as Chevy walked up his eyes became immensely large.

“What happened to you? Who did this to you?”

“What are you talking about?” Marley asked trying to play it off like she didn’t know what he was talking about.

“Marley don't lie to me. Who hit you?” he said sorrowfully.

“Don’t worry about it Chevy. I have it under control.” She said trying to change the subject.

“Marley… I care about you. Please… Who did this to you?” He said pleading to her.

Sighing Marley admits sadly “It was my mom, but I deserved it. I was being disrespectful.”

“Marley!” Chevy said loudly “You have to tell someone.”

“Why. So they can do nothing again. Tell me that your parents have the right to slap you if you're not doing what they tell you to.” Marley says slightly annoyed.

“Wait. This has happened before?” Chevy asks concerned.

“Yea. It has. And it’s not that big of a deal. I’m used to it.” she says in a matter of fact kind of way.

“You shouldn’t have to be Marley. You deserve so much better.” Chevy says.

Marley dares to steal a look at Chevy, and once she does, she wished she hadn’t. All you could see when you looked its Chevy’s eyes was the pain Marley had been ignoring for so many years. It brought tears to her eyes to see that within minutes Chevy felt all the pain that Marley had and nothing had been done to him.

“I’m sorry…” Marley whispered softly.

“For what? You didn’t do anything. I just don’t understand why someone would do this to you.” he said concerned.

“I wish I knew why. All I know is that I tried to get help and no one would help me.”

"You can always come to me for anything," he stated with a caring look “I’m here for you.”

When Marley looked up at Chevy there is a single tear coming down her cheek. Chevy reaches up and gently wipes it away. He slowly pulls Marley into his arms and whispers “It’s ok, let it out.”

Marley tries not to but can’t help but cry in his arms. Chevy didn’t judge her either. He just held her and rubbed her back softly. After they had been standing there for a little while, a teacher walked up and asked if everything was alright. Chevy didn’t say anything except no.

After the teacher walked away, Chevy said “Look at me,”

Marley looked up, her cheeks wet from crying.

“Yup, still beautiful.” Chevy said sweetly and kissed her on the forehead. “Now, listen to me. It’s going to be alright. I promise. If you ever need me you can call or text me.” He said with a smile on his face. “Can I see your phone for a second.”

Marley hands him her phone, smiling to herself because she has a code on it.

“Unlock it.” Chevy says with an amused smile on his face.

Reluctantly Marley typed in her code.

Chevy scrolls through all the apps on her phone until he finds the one he’s looking for.

Talking out loud to himself, “Create new contact. C. H. E. V. Y.” He mumbles his number to himself. “Come here” he says as he pulls Marley close to him.

He clicks on the contact photo. “Smile.” He tells Marley.

Marley does as she is told and smiles. To her surprise Chevy leans in, kisses her cheek, and takes the picture. He sets it as his contact picture and gives her the phone back.

“Now, if you ever need anything, call or text me. I’ll answer as soon as I can.”

Speechless Marley just nods her head.

After school that day, Marley reluctantly went home. When she got home, as usual, there was yelling and it was directed at her.

She went right down into her room and tried to ignore it. Sadly she couldn’t. Jada came knocking on her door and yelling.

Luckily Marley had locked her door when she came down stairs. She put her earbuds in, turned up her music and ignored the family war going on outside her bedroom door.

She texted Chevy and said “Can you come get me”

With an almost instant response Chevy said “I’m on my way. What’s the address.”

Marley texted back her address and then went to her closet and tried to decide what to wear. She quick checked the weather on her phone and decided on a pair of short shorts and a tank top with the back ripped up. She touched up her black eye shadow and eyeliner. She gave herself a once over in the mirror and smiled because she actually felt pretty for once.

Right as she grabbed her favorite hoody, her phone vibrated. It was a text from Chevy. She smiled when she saw “ I’m here. -C”

She unlocked her door and walked out. Right as she was about to walk out the front door Jada yelled “Where the hell do you think your going?”

With a smirk on her face she looked Jada dead in the eyes and said “Out.”

WIth that Marley walked out the front door. Her breath was taken away when she saw Chevy sitting on the hood of his Silverado.

“So just because your name is Chevy, you have to drive one?” Marley teased as she walked over and hugged him.

“Shut up and get in.” Chevy teased back. and kissed her forehead.

“Where are we going?” Marley asked as she got into the truck.

“Where do you want to go?” He asked smiling at her and starting the truck.

“Anywhere but here.” She said blatantly.

They started to drive and somehow ended up at Marley’s favorite restaurant.

“How did you know this is my favorite restaurant?” She asked puzzled.

“I didn’t. It’s my favorite restaurant.” He answered kindly.

“I love Noodles and Company.” She said excitedly.

They sat and ate and talked. Right as they were about to leave, Marley’s phone rang. It was her dad. She ignored the call until she got home.