Persephone- Completed

One

I put my hands on my knees and Mia patted my lower back as I took deep breathes. 

"Beat your own record." She chuckled as I panted, slowly looking at her as she crossed her arms. "Incoming." She rolled her eyes and handed me my water bottle. 

"Pops." I rolled my eyes too. I wasn't in the mood for his shit today. He'd pissed me off enough last night. I stood up and turned to face him, swallowing some water as he stared at me and started taking his jacket off. "Let's talk beautiful." He held his hand out for me and I stared at it. "Poppy, please." He pushed his hand forward slightly demanding I take it. 

"Fine." I handed the bottle back to Mia and took his hand. He pulled me towards him, putting his jacket on me. I knew he wanted me to put it on. He always did when I was wearing  clothes like this. Just put it on Pops, not worth the argument with him again. Not here. 

We started walking as I put his jacket on and he grabbed my hand tightly. The pressure behind it telling me this wasn't going to be a light hearted conversation.  Once we were out of everyone's earshot he let me go and backed me into the fence, keeping a playful smile across his face. 

"What the fuck are you wearing?" 

"Um, some gym clothes?"

"Are you just begging for people to be staring at you Poppy?" 

"They're only staring because of you Will." His eyes grew a little darker shade of blue. I was making him angry. I could see it in his fake little smile. 

"Don't push me. Not again." 

"Then just fucking drop it." I shook his hand off me crossing them over my chest. 

"No Pops. I won't. Because you're mine. And I love you. And I hate the thought of anyone else looking at your body. It's mine."  He put one hand on my hip, pulling me into him. 

"You nearly hit me with that glass last night." I said flatly. "Cut my leg when shattered." 

"I did?" He moved back and looked at me. "Are you okay? Was it bad?" 

"Just a scratch. But that's not the point is it?" I leaned back against the fence again now. "You said you'd stop it Will." 

"I know baby. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." He leaned forward and kissed me. I didn't kiss him back. "I just get so angry at the thought of other guys putting their hands on you." 

"Oh my god." I threw my head back. "Don't start acting like its completely normal for you to be like this William. He's a fucking cheerleader. If he didn't touch me, I'd fall and get really badly hurt." 

"I know. Its just-" 

"You're jealous."

"I'm always jealous when it comes to you Pops." He kissed my cheek and pulled my arms away from my chest, putting them around his waist. "I don't want to lose you. 4 years is too long to give up over some other guys mistake." 

"You think I want to go with anyone else?" I pulled my head away from his. "I've told you Will. I don't see other guys. I only see you. But if you keep this shit up. I'm walking. And I won't look back." 

"I know." He sighed. "Don't leave me Pops." I rolled my eyes and he smiled, knowing he'd won. Again. 

"Then stop with the toxic masculinity." 

"I will. I promise. I'm trying." I laid my head on his shoulder and he pulled me closer, hugging me tightly. I don't know why I let him do this. 

He'd break promise after promise. I'd move on pretending it was nothing. And as his anger got more and more uncontrollable, I got more and more concerned he was going to hurt me. He'd never do it on purpose. Like last night. He didn't mean to throw the glass so close to me. I knew that. It was just the heat of the moment. 

"Pops." I looked to the side where Mia was stood. "You coming?" 

"Where?" I lifted my head as Will asked for me. 

"To shower?" She raised her eyebrows at him, daring him to carry on speaking for me. "I was speaking to Poppy. Not you." She looked back at me. "Coming?" 

I pushed on Will's chest, making him step backwards and dropping my hips. 

"I won't be too long. Meet you out front?" I looked at him and he nodded.

"20 minutes?" 

"30."

"25." 

"30." I was standing my ground. I furrowed my brows at him to show him I was serious. I wasn't giving in on it.

"Fine. 30 minutes. A second later and I'm coming to get you." I took my bag from Mia and looped my arm through hers as we walked away from him, passing a few of his friends whilst we did. I didn't know any of their names. 

"So what was that about?" 

"What was what about?" 

"Mr, have my jacket because I'm jealous."  She rolled her eyes. "Why are you still with him Pops?" 

"You know why." 

"No." She stopped walking. "I'm not taking that as an excuse anymore. I don't think you believe it anyway. Not anymore."  I sighed and carried on walking. 

"I don't really have any other choice." 

"Yes you do." She walked faster, turning and walking backwards when she was in front of me. "Leave him."

"Amelia." I sighed and tilted my head. She stopped walking and I pulled the door open, letting her in first and following after. "I can't and you know that." 

"You don't love him Persephone. He's just company." 

"Oh full naming me huh?" 

"I don't think you understand how serious I am." She crossed her arms as we turned and started down the stairs to the changing rooms. "Don't think I don't see the bruises on your wrists constantly." 

"They're nothing." I rolled my eyes, sitting on the bench opposite my locker and pulling my shoes on. She slammed the locker shut and stared at me. 

"Then what are they from if he's not putting his hands on you?"

"Oh. He's putting his hands on me." I looked up at her and laughed. She shook her head and hit my head. "What?" I cackled and rubbed my head. 

"You're such a bitch."