A P O C A P U S S Y L I P S//Louis Partridge

XIII

Louis

I searched frantically for her. But she was nowhere to be seen. My heart was racing as I pushed my way through the crowds of teenagers. Suddenly, I felt a body shove past me and run out. I could have sworn it was Mazy so I followed them out. I was right on their tail when they sprinted down the street. I exhaled and ruffled my hair with my hands, my chest rising and falling rapidly.

Just to make sure she was okay, I walked down to her house. We all lived relatively close so it wasn't a far walk. I heard loud sobs come from inside the house.

"Mazy, open the door"

The crying stopped and I was left listening to silence.

"Mazy I know you're in there. Please let me in,"

"I can't" She sniffled

"Why?!"

"Please just leave,"

"I won't leave until I make sure you're okay,"

I heard footsteps coming towards me.

I heard labored breathing come from the other side of the door. I put my hand against the door.

"Louis," She whispered, "Please leave me alone,"

I felt like my heart was breaking all over again.

I looked down and backed away from her door, turned around, and walked home.

Mazy

I ran home as fast as I could. I slammed the door and collapsed onto the floor, sobbing. I felt filthy. I was no longer innocent.

"Mazy, open the door," I heard

I can't let him know I'm crying. He'll never leave if he knows I'm crying.

"Mazy, I know you're in there. Please let me in"

"I can't"

"Why?" He began to grow flustrated

I couldn't tell him. He would go after Jackson and I've caused enough harm as is. Jackson would tell him the truth.

"Please just leave,"

"I won't leave until I make sure you're okay"

I walked towards the door and rested a hand on the door, "Louis, please leave me alone"

I didn't hear a response so I looked out the window and watched as he walked away into the night.

I slapped a hand against my mouth to muffle my cries.

The next day

I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to see Jackson, or Louis, or anyone.

I just wanted to lay here, close my eyes, and never open them again.

"Mazy," I heard someone yell from outside.

Good lord.

"Mazy open the fucking door right now. We need to talk,"

My face scrunched up with fear as I swung open the door to face Jackson.

He brushed past me and stormed into the house. This was not the Jackson I thought I knew. This was not the Jackson I agreed to date.

I bit my lip anxiously, awaiting him to speak.