saying goodbye. I sigh, and begin to help my mother prepare dinner.
We sat in silence for almost 25 minutes. I ate quickly, so I could get upstairs sooner. “So…” my mother started. I looked at her and she closed her mouth, eating again. “How do you really feel about Chase?” I muttered, crossing my arms and legs. She gave me a confused look. “I heard you earlier. Talking about Chase to Callum.” I told her. She nodded slowly. “I don’t like him.” She said, giving me a straight face. “Why?” I asked. “God, Isabella. He’s not someone I would ever set you up with. He may be perfect to you, but Callum and I both—“ I stopped her. “So now you’re siding with Callum?” I whispered. Even my own mother was falling for him. “Isabella, I—“ I stopped her again. “After all he’s put us both through? The person you wanted out of my life? You finally got it, and you were happy while I was torn apart. Then, he comes back, and all of a sudden he’s on your good side again?” I closed my eyes. “Isabella,” My mother raised her voice. “I know how you felt about him. I know he hurt you real bad, but I know he has changed. I believe in him. I know he did.” She sighed. “Well, obviously, you don’t know. You don’t know that he’s the biology teacher from across my hallway, you don’t know that he’s already made me cry, you still don’t know that he’s leading me on once again and hurting me! Just like he used to do, all the time! He hasn’t changed one bit. You didn’t know that he kissed me; you didn’t know that he told me how he felt about me. You also didn’t know that he has a girlfriend, and that’s who he’s running home to now!” I slammed my hands on the table. My mother’s mouth was wide open. I knew she wanted to say something, but nothing would come out, just as I suspected. I got up from the table, walking up the stairs quickly, closing and locking my door. I slid to the ground, falling asleep right then and there.
I awoke in the morning to see rain pouring down once again. I sighed, unlocking the door and wandering around the house. My mother wasn’t home; I knew she worked in the morning. My phone vibrated in my back pocket, and I slid the screen, unlocking it. I had 15 text messages and 7 miss calls. I went through them quickly, most of the texts and calls from Callum. I didn’t hesitate to listen or read any of them. I then read Rebecca’s text message, asking me how I was doing. I quickly messaged her back, and she told me she’d want to hang out later. I agreed, planning not to tell her anything that happened between my mother, Callum, and I. I looked at the calendar on my phone. It was a Friday, meaning I had to go to school today. I then looked at the time. “Shit!” I screeched. I ran up the stairs, getting dressed quickly. I dug around my dresser, looking for the little clothes I had in here. I decided on a gray cardigan that went to my waist, a pink spaghetti strap top, and light blue jeans. I wanted to shower, but I knew I’d be even later than I was. I hopped in the shower anyway, which only lasted about 10 minutes. I sighed, putting on my clothes quickly. I put my hair in a messy ponytail and grabbed a hoodie and ran out the door. I then realized I didn’t have my car. “Ugh!” I stomped my feet on the sidewalk, getting wet already. I shoved the hoodie and walking. My house wasn’t too far.
About 20 minutes later, a car came up to me on the sidewalk. The person rolled his window down. I was shocked at who I saw. “Isabella?” Callum called out to me. I nodded slowly. “It’s me,” I choked out, looking down. Callum was already out his car, putting his jacket over me. “Come on,” He whispered, leading me to the passenger’s side. He opened the door for me and I climbed in, his car seats getting wet immediately. He was already climbing in the driver’s side. “It’s pouring out, where’s your car?” He asked me. “I left it home,” I muttered, looking down. “How’d you get to your mother’s?” He questioned. “Becca dropped me off yesterday.” I still didn’t meet his eyes. “Let me turn on the heat,” He whispered, and the heat came on, but I was still shivering. “Why didn’t you come to school this morning? I—“ Callum stopped. “I - I heard a lot of people were worried about you.” He mumbled. “Woke up late.” I answered bluntly. “Oh.” He said back in the same tone. “Can you just take me home?” I asked him, getting irritated. “What if I didn’t want to?” Callum challenged. “Then I’ll get out and fucking walk.” I muttered, reaching for the door handle. His hand stopped mine. He looked into my eyes. “I’m sorry. Can I at least take you out to lunch?” He asked. “That would not be a good idea. I’m going out with Becca later, I can get something then.” I mumbled. “Why not?” He asked. As if he didn’t know already. “You know why, Callum. Please, just take me home.” I whispered. He hesitated, but nodded. In about 10 minutes, I was home. “Do you want me to come up—“ Callum started. I shook my head, getting out the car and walking up my apartment’s steps. He called after me, but I ignored him, greeting the doorman. He gave me a sweet smile and I past him, running up the steps. I got onto the elevator, and quickly unlocked my apartment. I walked in, slamming the door, and walking over to the huge glass window. Since I was on the top floor, I could see all below me. Looking at the view always helped me think. I plopped down on the floor, keeping my hand on the cool glass. I sighed, hearing the door slam. “Isabella?” Someone whispered. I could tell it was Callum. “God Callum, why don’t you just give up?” He snorted. “I told you, I’m never giving up.” He whispered. I sighed. “I don’t trust you.” I muttered. “Why is it so hard for you to trust people?” Callum said angrily. I turned around to glare at him. “Why is it so hard for people to keep fucking promises?” I spat with venom. He looked me straight in the eyes, with his mouth opened. He finally closed it. I turned around, saying, “Exactly.” I yawned, looking back out the window. Now, Callum was sitting next to me, reaching for my hand. I kept them on my lap now, making sure he wouldn’t touch me. He always kept me second guessing and as soon as his hand would go on mine, shivers would run through my spine. I needed to avoid that feeling. I moved as far away as I could. I could see Callum frown. “What did you really come up for?” I asked him. “I wanted to make sure you were safe.” He mumbled, moving closer a bit. I shook my head. “I’m safe. Now go,” I muttered. “Can I stay?” Callum asked. I shook my head. “Please no.” I whispered. He looked completely hurt now. I could see tears in his eyes. Was he going to cry? He got up and began to walk for the door. I ran up behind him, placing my hand on the knob. “You can stay. But for only an hour.” I said. He turned around and looked down at me. “Thank you.” He whispered. He began to walk back into my living room, turning on the TV. I groaned. He began to take his shirt off. “Whoa, that was not a part of the deal!” I hissed at him. “I always walk around the house shirtless.” He said with puppy eyes. “This isn’t your house! Get your feet off the table!” I hissed back. He grinned, leaning over. The muscles in his chest and stomach rippled perfectly. I didn’t know how long I was staring until he looked at me with a confused glance. I looked down blushing, and then began to walk to my room. I changed into a pair of warm shorts and took my shoes off. I changed into warmer socks and walked into the bathroom, closing the door. I sighed, sitting on the floor. I ran the water, wiping my eyes and thinking. Soon enough I heard a door slam. I got excited because I thought Callum left. Instead, a man’s voice called my name. I shut the water off, and walked out to the living room. Chase was standing there with luggage in his hands, glaring at Callum. Callum still didn’t get up from the sofa, but sent the same look to Chase. “Isabella,” Chase said, fuming. I remembered the other time he got as mad as he looked now—it didn’t end well. Let’s just say, someone got hurt. “What is this man doing in my house, half naked?” He said, sending evil eyes towards me. I could literally see the heat coming from his head. “Dude, calm down. My shirt was wet, and I just took it off, no need to panic.” Callum said calmly, beginning to put his shirt on. “Chase, what are you doing home? Only a week passed.” I said, trying to avoid the fight that I knew was going to happen. “I came home early because the trip wasn’t the same without you. And I find you in here, having sex with some guy!” He shouted. I looked at him like he was crazy. “I didn’t touch your girl.” Callum lied. I don’t think we would like to replay the scene at my mother’s home. “Chase, I would never—“ He looked even heated now. “Shut up, bitch!” He screamed, smacking me across my face. I let out a yelp, smashing into the wall. A picture frame made from entire glass landed on my lap, glass going into my palm. I screeched out, and tears poured from my eyes. Callum looked totally taken back when Chase hit me. It hasn’t been the first time, but it also hasn’t happened in a while. Chase tackled Callum to the ground, punching him in the face. I turned my head, not wanting to see what would happen. I couldn’t help but look. Now Callum was up, and landed a swift punch to Chase’s stomach. Then, another blow to his stomach, and another, and another. I cried even more now. Chase was now bleeding on the floor, and Callum was on top of him, still hitting him with one punch after another. I got up and ran towards him. “Stop, stop!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. I pulled him off of Chase and landed on top of him, wiping his face. Callum quickly pulled me off him, and ran for the door. “Stop, no!” I said, trying to go back to Chase. Callum wouldn’t let me go. I pushed him away. “Callum, did you just realize what you did?” I screamed at him. He stood there, eyeing Chase’s body. I could tell he wasn’t dead, but he has a black eye. His body was bruised and scarred. “Come on, Isabel. We have to go.” He mumbled, pulling me for the door again. “No, you go! You just beat up my boyfriend, how could you?” I said, pushing him again. “Isabella, he hit you! Your cheek is bruised!” He screamed. “Don’t worry about me, worry about him!” I screamed back, pushing him some more. “How long has he been hitting you?” He asked. “None of your business!” I whispered. “Why do you even love him!?” He yelled. “Because, he was there for me when you never were!” I screamed back. I opened the door now. “Please, just get out. And never, ever come back.” I muttered, rubbing my forehead. “But, Isabella—“ I stopped him. “Please, just stop. Go.” I said a bit louder. Callum backed out from my apartment, and I slammed the door. I then began to help Chase get up. We both limped over to the bathroom in our bedroom. He climbed on top of the sink, and I grabbed a towel, dabbing it with water. “Tell me if it hurts,” I whispered, laying the towel on his bleeding eyebrow. He winced slightly, but relaxed. “I’m sorry, Isabella. I really freaked out this time…” He whispered. “It’s fine.” I said, wiping my eyes for the tears that were going to come. Chase cupped my face in his hands and leaned down for a kiss, but I immediately pulled back, thinking he would hit me again. “Are you really that afraid of me?” He frowned. “Terrified.” I answered simply, avoiding his eyes now. He put his hands on my arms, and I winced, begging, “Please don’t hurt me.” He sighed, jumping off the counter. He still limped a bit, but he was going to ignore it. I put a hand on my cheek, pulling it back quickly. I walked over to the bed, climbing in and hoping to sleep for a long time.
