Once

Chapter 12

His hands move to my thigh. Grazing it, squeezing it. "STOP!" I scream. Did I scream it? Why can't I talk? I open my mouth to try again, hoping the neighbors can hear, but his hand slams against my mouth before I can say anything.

"Don't. Say. A word." he snarls and growls at me.

How can the smiling, friendly man that my mom is so desperately in love with do this to me? Why is he doing this to me? I try to wiggle myself free but nothing is possible under his strong hold. He forcefully rips my shirt off and then-

I am awake now and fully drenched in sweat. My hair is matted to my face and my pillowcase is drenched. I check my phone for the time. About 2AM. Lovely. I look over to Megan to make sure I didn't wake her.

My nightmares come in a rotation. I suffer through them every night for a few weeks, but then I go months without them. I've gotten used to the nightmares over the years, but it doesn't make them any less traumatic. I can still feel his calloused hands in my body. I shiver at the thought. If I never see that man again, it will be too soon.

It's 9 when I wake up again. It's only been about 12 hours since I came to my agreement, or whatever it is, with him. My head aches from the night I have so I grab myself a water bottle from our mini-fridge.

I get dressed in yogas and a tshirt and walk out to my car. I search up a local diner so I can grab some breakfast.

I take a seat at a small table and begin to look through the menu.

"Can I get you something to drink" my waitress says. I turn to look up at her and my heart sinks. Does Luke know she's around? "Hey I know you!! We went to high school together. Well, that is until I moved here senior year. I'm Jocelynn."

"H-hey, yeah I remember you. Um I'll just have water. Please"

"Okay!" she chirps. "Hey what are you doing out here anyways?"

"Uh I go to BC" I say to the real love of Luke's life.

"Oh my God! No way, so do I!" She practically jumps up and down.

"Great. Now can I have my water? I snap in annoyance. She nods and skips away.

Of frickin course. I finally get Luke and then she shows up. If Luke finds out she's around, there's no doubt in my mind that he will go back to her. Maybe I should tell him myself? Save myself some of the heartbreak? Yes. That's what I'll do.

When Jocelynn returns she hands me my water and then goes to take care of her new customers. My phone goes off and my heart leaps when I see Luke's name.

*what are you up to? I'm bored*

*just grabbing breakfast*

*Can I meet you?*

I tell him yes and give him the address. Jocelynn comes and takes my order.

Shit. Jocelynn.

Why didn't I think of that when I told him? Jesus I'm so screwed. Jocelynn takes my order to the back just as soon as the bells ring, indicating a new customer. I turn to look at the tall blonde figure smiling at me.