"There's nothing wrong with my outfit Justin, I really need go, I'm gonna be late to see Hailie." I sighed.
"Be back before ten, please." He pouted.
"I'll try." I smiled.
I quickly picked up my bag, and slipped out.
....................
I always loved having dinner with Hailie and talking about whatever was going on in her life at the time, I noticed she talked about her dad a lot this time round without realizing, her face also screwed up in what seemed to be disgust whenever I mentioned Justin.
She didn't know that I was going to her dads right after seeing her, I assumed she would start asking questions and then realize I lived there for a while, the plan was for her to never know just how bad Justin could get, she didn't deserve the extra stress.
....................
"Hey." Marshall chuckled as he gave me a hug.
"You look nice, where did you go?" He said.
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"I don't look that nice, and I went for food with Hailie."
"You always look...nice. Justin let you out of the house then?" He smirked.
"Shut up!" I shoved him playfully.
"You could've stayed here you know? As long as wanted." He shrugged.
"I wouldn't have been able to hide that from Hailie for much longer." I shrugged.
"What does Hailie think of Justin?" Marshall asked, he seemed genuinely curious.
"You know your daughter, she's the sweetest person, but the look of disgust on her face every single time she hears his name? Damn." I said as I thought about earlier on.
"That's my girl." He chuckled.
"Speak of the devil." I said as I saw both Hailie and Justin had texted.
"Shit." I said.
"What's wrong?" Marshall frowned slightly.
I dialed Hailie's number
"Are you ok?" I asked trying to not give anything away.
"Your man is looking for you."
"I'm so sorr-"
"Don't be, I will be if he doesn't get away from my property, come collect your man Hazel, seriously." Hailie chuckled.
"I gotta go!" I said.
"Where are you-" Marshall cut himself off as I got up.
Even through my clouded teary vision I could see the harsh expression form on Marshall's face.
"I've got to go I-"
"You can't."
"Marshall- yeah...music stuff, I didn't wanna tell you yet." I cut off to talk to Hailie who I'd forgotten about.
"Ok, I gotta go, ok?"
"Ok." Hailie said as I hung up.
Marshall sighed and wiped the tears off of my face.
Justin: Come home...I need you x
Justin: I'm begging you come home
"I gotta go." I mumbled.
"Don't." Marshall grabbed my arm.
"For your own safety, please Hazel..." He continued.
"I'm sorry." I pulled away and rushed out of the house.
............
As I sat alone in my apartment, I couldn't help but think about another abusive memory with Justin. It was a hot summer day, and we had gone out to the beach with a few friends. Justin had been drinking all day and had become increasingly aggressive towards me.
As the sun began to set,we started packing up our things to leave.I was trying to fold up the beach umbrella when Justin suddenly snatched it out of my hands, causing it to hit me in the face. I stumbled backward, feeling dazed and disoriented, while Justin laughed and taunted me.
I remembered feeling so embarrassed and humiliated, and I tried to hide my tears from our friends. Justin, of course apologized profusely, he promised it would never happen again, but the memory had stayed with me after all these years.
Now I was sat on the floor with bruises on my face, I couldn't help realising that Justin's promises had been empty. He had become even more abusive over time, and I couldn't keep making excuses for him or trying to justify his behavior.
As I sat on the couch, nursing the bruises on my face, I couldn't help but think of how Justin's outbursts were eerily similar to Slim Shady. He'd always been a huge fan of Eminem's music, but it was more complicated than that. The way he talked to me, the way he continued to treat me, it was like he'd taken on the persona of Slim Shady himself.
It was as if Justin saw himself as this badass, unapologetic guy who could do whatever he wanted. And just like Slim Shady, he was abusive and volatile. It was like he was living out his own twisted version of Eminem's lyrics.
But the thing is, the Marshall I knew was nothing like his alter ego. Sure, he rapped about some pretty dark stuff, but he'd also spoken out against abuse and violence. He'd even talked about his own struggles with addiction and mental health. He wasn't just some one-dimensional character.
I wished Justin could see that. I wished he could see that being abusive and controlling wasn't cool or edgy. It was just hurtful and destructive. But I knew he wouldn't change. He'd just keep living out his own twisted version of Slim Shady, and I'd be stuck with him, trying to survive it.
