Shady's obsession

22.

Flashback:

As Justin got up from the bed, I felt his eyes on me, watching me closely. "So, are we good now?" he asked, his voice cold and distant.

I stared at him in disbelief. "Are you serious?" I gasped, my voice shaking with anger and fear. "You just tried to kill me, and you're asking if we're good now?"

Justin shrugged, a twisted smile crossing his face. "It was just a little mistake," he said, as if it was nothing. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

I couldn't believe his words. He had always been so manipulative, so good at making me doubt myself and my own feelings. But not this time. Not after what he had just done.

I slowly got up from the bed, my body trembling with adrenaline and fear. "I'm leaving," I said firmly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Justin's expression changed, his eyes narrowing with anger. "You can't leave," he spat. "You're mine, Hazel. You belong to me."

I felt my blood run cold at his words. "No, I don't," I said, my voice gaining strength. "I don't belong to anyone, especially not someone who would do something like this."

Justin took a step closer to me, his fists clenched at his sides. "You're not going anywhere," he said, his voice low and threatening.

.............

There I was at Marshall's door once again.

He opened the door and an emotion that I couldn't decifer clouded his features.

"I'm so fucking happy to see you." He said as he engulfed me into a hug.

"Hailie! We've got a visitor!" He shouted as he let me in.

"Hazel?! What happened?!" Hailie looked horrified.

"I'm gonna stay here for a while-" I sighed as Hailie cut me off.

"You can stay at my place I'll-"

"Nah it's fine, she can stay here, Justin would probably look at yours first." Marshall shrugged.

"Ok, are you going to be ok?" Hailie pouted.

"Yes, I promise." I smiled.

.......................

I sat nervously on the couch, my hands fidgeting in my lap. Marshall had been kind enough to let me into his home again to escape from Justin's abuse. I couldn't thank him enough for always being there for me.

"Thanks again for letting me stay here, Marshall," I said softly, looking down at my hands.

"Of course, Hazel. You know you're always welcome here," he replied kindly.

I took a deep breath before I spoke again. "I don't know what to do anymore. You might think it's dumb but...Justin seems to idolise Slim Shady. It's like he's living his life trying to imitate this alter ego, and it scares me."

Marshall raised his eyebrows in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"I mean the way he treats me, the way he talks to me, it's like he's trying to be Slim Shady. He's just like him, or worse." I explained, my voice shaking.

"But not as talented." Marshall smirked to try and lighten the mood.

Marshall sighed deeply and rubbed the back of his neck out of what was probably him feeling uncomfortable . "I'm sorry, Hazel."

"I just don't know what to do anymore. I'm scared to leave him, but I'm also scared to stay," I admitted, feeling tears welling up in my eyes.

Marshall put a comforting arm around my shoulders. "You don't have to be scared, Hazel. You have me, Hailie, and so many other people who care about you. You don't have to face this alone."

I leaned my head against his shoulder and let the tears fall. For the first time in a long time, I felt like someone was truly there for me.

I hadn't cried about it to anyone, but I couldn't stop myself from sobbing, It's like all the pain and trauma poured out of me.

........

As he talked,I found myself staring into his blue eyes, and I couldn't help feeling a sudden pang of attraction. I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to kiss him, to feel his strong arms around me.I  tried to shake the thought away, but it lingered in my mind.

When Marshall stood up to grab them some drinks, I found myself accidentally flirting with him. I leaned over to grab my phone, and as I did I brushed my hand against his thigh. I pulled away, slightly mortified by my own actions, but I couldn't help but notice the way he looked at me.

As I continued to chat, I found myself growing more and more attracted to Marshall. I tried to resist, reminding myself that he was Hailie's dad and that we had a friendship to maintain. But as he leaned in to show my something on his phone, I  found myself getting lost in his gaze once again.

I was accidentally flirting with him, and I quickly pulled away...again. But as we continued to talk, I found myself drawn back towards him again and again...