Scars [An Exclamation Point Fan Fiction]

PART 4

The next morning I wake up with a pounding headache. I sit up and see Paul walk into the room wearing only a pair of sweatpants. I'm staring at his abs when he comes to sit by me.

"Morning Sleeping Beauty!" He says smiling at me.

"What time is it?" I ask rubbing my eyes.

"Almost noon." Paul say. "You feeling ok?"

"Yea," I say. "Thank you for last night. I'm sorry about what happened."

"Don't be it's not your fault."

"I should probably get home so my parents don't worry too much."

Paul drives me home and when I walk inside no one's home. My mom left a note saying they figured I slept over at Cori's house like I do every Friday night, and they went to visit Brady. I go up to my room and take a shower. When I get out I see I have a text.

"Hey! I texted myself from your phone last night. Let me know if you need anything! -Paul"

I smile at the text. I'm about to reply when I hear the front door open. I walk out of my room and see Nate.

"Nikki!" He yells running up the stairs. He walks into my room. "Well, well, well. Paul's not here to protect you is he?"

"Nate please." I beg him backing away. "Nothing happened. I swear, I love you."

"I know." He says. " I'm going to make sure you do though." He walks forward, but I run past him. I run out of the room and downstairs with Nate running behind me. He grabs me and pins me to the couch. I start screaming as he smacks every part of me but my face. I hear the garage opening and Nate jumps off me. My parents walk in seconds after.

"Oh Nate nice to see you." My mom says.

"You too Mrs. Garner. I was actually just leaving." He kisses my head "See you later." He says and walks out the door. I walk up to my room, pull up my shirt and see the bruises forming. I sit on my bed and open my nightstand drawer. I pull out a pair of scissors and cut my legs, to make me forget.

The next couple of weeks fly. Paul and I still talk secretly. I find out he's in a band called Exclamation Point, and he's eighteen too. When Nate discovers we talk he hits me, still trying to avoid my face. We also receive our NYADA letters. He got in while I didn't. Thankfully he leaves at the end of March. I get a letter from the X-Factor saying they're holding auditions for dancers on the show, all I have to do is come up with a routine.