Loving Lars

17. Loving The Truth

*TW mentions of rape*

I turned to face Lars and gave him a sarcastic smile, "hmm guess you did."

Lars looked away from me and acknowledged Knox, he gave him a look that made him leave so now it was just us.

"What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?" He asked with slight humour.

I moved my hair away from my bruised cheek which had obstructed Lars's view.

When he noticed the state of my face he stilled.

"Goddammit Elza" he roared.

"I'm fine." I rolled my eyes.

"Am I gonna have to lock you up somewhere? Or follow you around like a fucking shadow." He was somehow getting angrier.

"Don't be so absurd! Like I said I'm fine, you have Knox to thank for that." I turn to go sit back down, knowing I wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.

Lars started pacing around the gym, he really needed to chill out.

"Lars. Chill out. Come sit down and maybe we can work on the project seeing as we're both here." I used a calmer tone, hoping it would work on him.

He took steady footsteps towards me and joined me on the bench.

"You have to tell me who did this to you." He grumbled.

"No!"

"Elza."

"Fine, let's make a deal. I'll tell you, if you promise not to get angry and I mean it." I said sternly.

He nodded.

"So in high school I wasn't exactly the most popular which I'm sure you can imagine" I chuckled, "but this guy Scott took the bullying to a whole other level. To cut a long story short, he beat me up and tried to rape me, all because of his sick girlfriend Chrissy, who was my biggest tormenter. And now for some reason they're both in town."

Lars's eyes never left my face, he was listening intently to every word I said. Completely focused on me.

Like he agreed, he didn't blow up with anger. I still felt him tense and clench his fists when I mentioned something he didn't like, which was basically everything.

"Elza if I ever see him, I'll kill him." I go to speak but he beats me to it, "but for now, I suppose I should train you since I know you wouldn't let me lock you away" he grumbled.

"Yes!" I said excitedly. "I'm saying yes to you training me, not to locking me up."

He looked at me like I'm an idiot. I gave him a cheeky smile in return.

"Obviously we will wait till you're all healed." He clarified.

"It's not like I'll get any more hurt if we start now." I rolled my eyes.

"Sunshine that is exactly what could happen. Give your body a break." He tucked a strand of hair behind my ears.

I bought my hands up to my cheeks, trying to hide my impending blush.

"You know that time you stood me up? Well it helped me come up with the perfect to start to my essay." I said trying to get rid of the tension fizzling in the air.

He looked at me sheepishly, waiting for my reply.

I went to my bag to grab my notebook.

"The brooding, silent giant." I started, pretending to be reading something off the page. "Absolutely cannot pride himself on the respect he has for others or their precious time. Much like the Cyclops, he is uncivilised and savage." I looked to see his reaction.