Captivated

Jealousy Runs Deep

Matt had fallen asleep thirty minutes into the first Spider-Man movie. He had taken out his piercing before lying hastily on the bed beside me. Dark hair covered his face, and his arm was bent over his forehead. I traced his jaw line, giggling slightly at his snoring. My fingers traced the lines of his chest, and my eyes wondered to his Spider-Man boxers. I laughed harder, not only did he seem like a punk rock kid with his shaggy hair and ripped T-Shirts, but he listened to country music, and had an obsession with Spider-Man like a little boy.

He shifted in his sleep, "Betsy?" His voice was covered with sleep. He smiled up at me before pulling me down beside him. "Listen little girl, you need to sleep, and I don't need pictures of me in my fantastic underwear spreading throughout the school." He wrapped his arms around me snuggling me into his side. "Goodnight." I laughed, and decided to watch the rest of Spider-Man.   

****

I walked back to the Kitchen to find Marge cooking over the stove. Newly bought groceries filled the counters in plastic bags. Without second thought I started putting them away. Marge turned when she heard me.

"Ray!" She came and hugged me, her head resting on my stomach. "How was school today boy?" She pulled away in disguise. "Boy, didn't I tell you to wash up after you paint? Look! My new apron is all purple!" She marched to the sink, cursing in Spanish like she always does when she's upset.

"Sorry Marge I forgot, I swear I'll clean it for you." I walked to the counter and grabbed a towel. Marge turned hands on her hips. Her dark hair in a tight bun like always. Her face was covered in wrinkles from hard work and laughter. She was a shorter woman, her head barely reaching the top of my shoulders. I still loved her all the same.

"Well, maybe I wouldn't be so angry if you actually showed me one of them paintings sometime."  She turned back to her cooking.

"Yeah right," I started to help her cut up tomatoes.

"Well what happened? You only paint when something happens." I sighed deeply. How could I lie to the only person I love?

"I did something bad today." I heard her sigh.

"Please tell me you didn't get some girl pregnant? Ray, I told you to stop your selfish ways! Now were going to have to take care of some whore baby."

"Marge!" She turned to me, her dark eyes looking right through me.

"Well, if you didn't get some girl pregnant then what did you do? I mean, sleeping with random girls isn't bad enough?" She shook her head and continued to stir in her pot.

"We promised not to talk about it." I restrained my voice, I might be in my twenties but that did not mean she wouldn't bend me over and whip me with a paddle.

"I just wish you had more respect for yourself, anyway, what did you do?"

I told her everything, leaving out the parts about Matt the feeling I got when I saw her with him.

"Did you apologize to her?" She laid bowls of soup on the table. She sat down and started eating.

I shook my head, grabbed my bowl, and walked to my room. 

****

School seemed to drag on forever, I had only one class with Ray who seemed too distracted in his notebook to even notice me sitting across the room. The people in Mrs. Clark's class still gave me dirty looks. They all had the idea that I was desperate whore who took things from attractive men. Even Mrs. Clark gave me a dirty look; thankfully Matt saved me by dragging me to an empty seat beside him. Only then did Ray look up.

We sat down behind a girl with striking red hair. She turned towards Matt, "Watch out Matt, I heard she has aids." Her whisper was meant to be heard. Matt shook his head and pulled me closer to him, "Only because she got them from me." He girl rolled her eyes and turned back around.

"Don't listen to her." Matt rubbed my shoulders causing me to flinch. He seemed confused, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, just some bruises." I tried to smile but his face grew serious.

"From what exactly?" He started to move my shirt.

"Nothing, it's nothing really." I pulled away. I'm suddenly really happy that I woke up before him and had time to cover the bruises on my face.

"I was wondering why you always wore baggy clothes. Elizabeth, what happened?" He held my wrist sincerely.

"I was in a car accident a few weeks ago. I got bruised up pretty badly, that's all." I lied.

He backed away from me, "Did I hurt you last night?"

I shook my head, "It's just my legs, arms, and face I promise."

He nodded before returning to his work. I looked around; making sure no one heard our little argument. No one seems to be caring about anything, I look over at Ray. He's staring right at us, almost like he heard the whole conversation. I then remember why he's upset, he wanted me to stay away from Matt. I look over at Matt, new anger spreading through me. I scoot closer to him, and wrap my arms tightly around his torso, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you." I whispered in his ear.

"It's okay, I just didn't want to hurt you, I didn't know." He ran his fingers through his hair. Why was he so worried about it? Surprisingly, out of all the times he's touched me he has only hurt me once. It's like he knew where to touch me.

"I'll be more careful Betsy, he tugged my hair gently." I slapped his hand away.

"Did you just hit me?" He held his hand like I actually hurt him. "I am hurt! You could have broken my hand which such force!"

I laughed loudly, some kid behind me told me to hush. "I barely hit you!" I whispered.

"It doesn't matter, it still hurt my soul." I grabbed his hand and kissed it gently. He wiggled his eyebrows at me. I punched him in the stomach.

He was about to reply when the door of the classroom slammed shut and Ray stormed out.