Met You When I Was Sixteen

1.

I woke up with my boyfriend's arms around my waist, his head in the crook of my neck. I could feel my cheek burning, remembering the event of last night. How can he just go on like this didn't even happen?.. I remember it all so clearly.

He hit me.

Once again. Just like the two times before that.

''I had fun today Atlas. Thank you.'' I pull atlas in a hug as we stay a little longer like this than expected. ''So did I, shorty'' I punch his arm playfully, as I chuckle under my breath. ''Stop with the nicknames!'' a smile forms on his face, as he shakes his head. ''Never'' it was raining, and we were already wet, but not the type to be drained. Atlas takes a few steps back and starts running like that's the only thing he's good at. ''Hey!'' I yell, running after the strawberry blonde blue-eyed boy that I call my best friend. Every time I almost get a grip on him he finds a way to slip through, causing me to almost fall faceward into the plenty of rain ponds.

His laugh fills the whole alleyway as echoes make their way through the whole neighborhood, or at least a part of it. as I cross my arms like an angry little kid. ''Meanie,'' I mumble, our clothes being drained and our hair as wet as possible. before a light in our house turns on, motioning for Sem, who probably woke up by the amount of screaming and laughing we did. Atlas took notice of this too, as he stopped laughing and looked at me with pity. I softly smile back and make my way towards the porch, anxious. Atlas stumbles behind me, a small comforting arm on my back. Why was I so scared? I'm allowed to hang out with friends. Maybe it's the fact that it's late?  We all know what happens when it'll turn to night time. And we all for sure know what happens when Sem just comes from hanging out with his friends, let alone  drowning in the amount of alcohol that met his veins.

I dug in my pockets, graving for my keys with shaking hands. Atlas took notice of my shaking that was only getting worse with the second and placed his hand on mine, pulling it out of my pocket. He turned my hand slightly so my palm was shown, before making his way into my pocket. I took a few deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself down and find keys being pressed against my palm, while he closed my hand. ''You can do it, Brooklynn. I'm still here;'' he doesn't dare to look away from me.

I nod, facing my anxiety, and pull my keys in the hole, twisting it till the door opens just enough to peek through. Atlas was the only person who knew about the incident, the one he first hit me. I knew exactly what  had happened. I accidentally dropped a glass of red wine and it left a stain on a, in his words 'expensive carpet' he was a bit tipsy, but I know that even if he wasn't he would've probably still hit me. which is even scarier. 

 He always had a strong dislike for Sem, ever since high school, but he knew that I loved him and so he supported me in it. he made it very clear that he would torture Sem if he ever harmed me in any way though, but i kind of hope he already forgot about that. I made my way fully into the house, turning my sight to Atlas, who was still looking at me.

I couldn't quite place the expression he outed, but I think kindness was showing in it. Atlas is always nice, at least to me. He's a real sweetheart. ''I'll text you tonight, okay?..'' I was leaning against the door. He nods, smiling back softly before waving his hand. ''Goodnight  Delacruz.'' He says, in a whispering tone. it caused me to whisper back. And i still don't know why we were whispering, but it felt right at that moment. ''Night Hawkins.'' I close the door slowly, seeing Atlas walk away back to his car. I take a few deep breaths before turning around, my breaths turning into non-existence.

Sem was standing awfully close to me, looking down at me in disgust while unnoticeable checking me out. ''Where were you?..'' a breeze of alcohol could be smelled from far away. He's drunk again. Shit. ''I-I..'' - ''I was with A-Atlas..'' he presses me against the door, his arm meeting my throat, quickly, pressing it against it with force. ''You know, Brooke. I have grown to have a strong dislike for him.'' He doesn't  even dare to say his name. ''Besides, I had a really rough day. and was willing to spend it with my beloving girlfriend.'' I knew where this was going. His grip tightened, making it even harder for me to breathe. ''S-Sem please.. c-can we-'' I was struggling to say a few words, but was met with a harsh slap against my cheek. Tears formed in my eyes, as I closed my eyes, hoping they wouldn't spill.

''BUT I FIGURED THAT SHE RATHER HANGS OUT WITH HER STUPID BEST FRIEND WHO SHE PROBABLY ALREADY FUCKED TONS OF TIMES THEN WITH HER OWN FUCKING BOYFRIEND.'' he yells, particularly spitting in my face. Tears were now dropping, unable to stop them. ''P-Please S-Sem... I d-didn't... I would never..'' I stuttered out, causing his hand to be met with my cheek once again, and again. And again. A never-ending circle. His grip against my throat loosened when his energy was draining, causing me to fall to the ground crying. ''I'll see you upstairs. Don't you dare to sleep on that couch.'' Wow. He's unbelievable, just hitting the shit out of me and still finding the urge to care.

Which now leads to this, me laying in my bed with my aggressive boyfriend next to me.

Now you are probably wondering, Brooklynn, why don't you just leave? Well, dear reader. I can't. I am still madly in love, even though it's ruining me. I can't just go. Love makes me blind, and also makes me sick psychically. It's not because I didn't know what to do. It's because I knew I would find my way back to him. I always damn will.