I Can't Wait To Be Myself Again

Chapter One

It was a typical Monday afternoon and Jackson was collecting Madison from one of her many drama classes. His rugby match had run over time and he knew that her club had finished 10 minutes before he got there. He just hoped she wouldn't be too angry. However, Madison had been waiting for him and now her friends had all left her, believing her 'unreliable' boyfriend had stood her up. Jackson burst through the door and now stood in the almost empty room. Madison turned and glared at him.

"How dare you!" Madison started screaming. "You only had to collect me on one day and what did you do? You forgot!"

"I didn't forg-" Jackson tried to add in but he was cut off before he could even finish his sentence.

"You forgot and you left me alone here. Do you know how many people have laughed at me for standing alone, thinking my boyfriend had stood me up?" And then she slapped him, hard around the face. Jackson stood still, expecting the worse to come. Repeatedly, she hit him with her bag, and he could practically feel his skin turning black and blue. Finally, the beating stopped.

"I'm so sorry Jacky," Madison slightly muttered, but still audible. "I didn't mean it!"

Jackson just stood there and hugged her gently. His arms - and face - still feeling raw and sore. "It's okay, babe. After all, every couple has their fights."

It was a repeated event, day in, day out. Jackson constantly walked on a tightrope and a single mistake (whether his fault or not) could send him falling and lying broken and bruised on the floor.

~

The next day, the same as every morning, Jackson and Madison walked into school hand in hand, Madison dragging her 'beloved' boyfriend over to her friends and other girls who all wore too much make up and slept with too many boys. Jackson smiled politely and protectively held Madison, trying to avoid all the flirtatious looks from the other girls. Others, just trying to make conversation were disappointed in Jackson's one word answer and before long, his arm was numb and he whispered in Madison's ear.

"Maddie, can I go and speak to my friends. We have a match after school." Madison, much to involved in the conversation, nodded and Jackson walked off towards that rugby pitches behind the school.

On arrival, Jackson was created by a cheer from his teammates.

"Hey Jacko!" his co-caption yelled. "How's your girl?"

Jackson just looked down and thought.

"You look tired man!" Another one of his friends shouted. "C'mon, let's start some lifts."

Walking towards his position in a practice for a line out, Jackson thought hard about Madison. She hit him hard. This morning he had to borrow some of his sister's concealer to hide some of the bruises creeping up his neck. He just hoped nobody would notice the slight change is skin tone.

After a quick practice over certain weak points in their game, Jackson walked towards Madison's locker where he met her to walk to their lessons together every morning. He had to arrive at 8:34, for their lessons started at 8:40 and any later, Madison would make him pay for it later.

It was 8:35. Madison glared at Jackson as he approached her. "Where were you?" She demanded, her tone harsh.

"With the boys, out the back. Just like I said." Jackson replied timidly. It was when his girlfriend was like this, she scared him.

"No you didn't. Jack, I'm can't believe you left me, but for now..." Madison walked off leaving Jackson alone by her locker, completely startled by her outburst.

~

It was nearly 6 o'clock and the match had just finished. The final score was 31-24 to Jackson and his team, but the last 10 minutes hard been harsh, their opponents determined to score the final try to draw the game.

Jackson and his teammates were all in the showers, washing off the dirt, mud, and sweat from the match, when one of the hookers turned to Jackson.

"Are you alright mate? You've got a hell of a lot of bruises over your torso, right up to your neck." He looked genuinely worried and for a moment so was Jackson. "It seriously looks like someone has attacked you with a handbag!" He joked and Jackson struggled to see the irony in it, because it was a handbag that hit him.

"Uh, no it was one of their defenders, dirty players on that team." Jackson lied, hoping they'd believe him. Many players looked at him sceptically but took his excuse.

Quickly changing so he could meet Madison outside in time for a dinner date he'd promised to take her on, Jackson ran towards Madison's house where she was getting prepared with one of her 'friends'. He knocked on the door. Madison's mum answered the door, slightly crazy as usual.

"Hello Jonathan!" She greeted (she never really got Jackson's name). "Maddie is upstairs and getting ready with one of her over-dressed companions." That was what he liked about Madison's mum, she spoke honestly. It was one of the reasons Madison's dad had left many years before as well.

Only a few seconds after their brief conversation, Madison walked down the stairs in a bright pink, skin tight dress. It was practically screaming for attention, sexual attention. Jackson swallowed. "You look great!" He choked out. "Really great babe." Madison replied by winking before walking out of the front door, leaving Jackson to say goodbye to her mum. Soon afterwards, Jackson hurried out and got into the taxi waiting with Madison in.