Protection

Chapter 3.

The next few days passed as days do. I ate, I slept, I stressed out about the painfully beautiful Robert. But then one day I got a phone call from a number that I hadn't saved to my phone.

2.7.08

Dear Diary,

Today was so amazing. Like literally amazing. I left the house again. I saw Robert today.

But this time it was because of him. He phoned me up. It sort of went like this.

"Hey Haines."

"Who is this?"

"Robert, we met in HMV."

"Oh right hey, I thought you weren't going to call but now you have and I-"

"Haines shut the fuck up babbling."

"I-er okay."

"Right I phoned you to ask if you wanna meet up?"

"When?"

"Now."

"I er-"

"No isn't an answer."

"Okay."

"Meet me at the park. Ten minutes."

"I um well,"

"See ya soon. And don't be late Haines.. I don't like to be disappointed."

Before I could reply he'd hung up. I was so scared. The park was near where that thing happened. Only a few blocks away.

I was practically shaking when I arrived and saw Rob sat there smoking a cigarette. It was raining and his hair was damp. I was totally mesmorised by his movement as rain dribbled down his face. He looked up and saw me staring at him. Again. Why does this always happen?

"Haines, what's up?" he said in his usual bored drawl.

I was speechless. I couldn't form a sentence that made sense he was so breathtakingly beautiful.

"Yes." Why did I say yes I mean it's not like it made sense.

"Yes?" He raised his eyebrow as I began to realise was a habit.

"Yes." Stick to your guns girl, I thought to myself.

He chuckled, "You're a funny one Haines. Come on let's walk a while." He tucked me under his arm. It was wonderful. I hardly knew him yet I felt like we'd known each other for years. I know I sound ridiculous but it's true.

He chatted on for ages about himself. Then he stopped and looked me in the eyes. There was something new in his eyes, different from the usual arrogant conceit he often adopted.

"But what about you Haines? Why have I never seen you around?" he carried on staring intensely.

"I- I was raped." WHY THE FUCK DID I SAY THAT WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK AM I. I haven't said it since the incident actually happened and I just said it to someone who is practically a stranger. "I was raped and I hardly ever go out because he's still out there and I think he'll come and get me again and everyone will hate me because-"

He put a finger to my lips. His eyes were soft and understanding. He took off his hoodie and put it around my shoulders and head.

"You'll get cold." He whispered. His head was really close to mine. It was so intense I may or may not have forgotten to breathe.

"So why don't you go out I still don't understand?" He looked puzzled.

"I'm scared." I muttered.

"You shouldn't be you know."

"Why?" He clearly didn't understand. Or so I thought anyway. He stopped walking and stared at me again. It seems in the early days of us knowing each other a lot of staring was involved.

"Because I'll protect you." He barely said. My breath caught in my throat. And then I couldn't help it. I was totally out of control. I kissed him.

But the weird thing is that he kissed me back. He kissed me back like he meant it. He pulled me up against his body, and I could feel his taut musculer frame. It was so amazing and beautiful and right. It felt completely right.

He stopped kissing me and looked down at me. He brushed a lock of my hair away.

"So beautiful," he murmured. He continued to gaze intensely down at my face, my body. I couldn't move, I was transfixed by him. The rain had made his t-shirt cling to his body, and he had the same black skinny jeans and purple converse on.

He was unaffectedly beautiful. He chuckled and tucked me under his arm again.

"Come on, let's finish walking around the lake and then we'll go and get something to eat." He said in his normal tones. It was then that I realised I had totally fallen in love with this guy I barely knew.

We walked. We talked. We laughed. I cried. He wiped tears from my eyes. He kissed me again. He promised he'd find the man who raped me.

And the funny thing is that I trusted him. I completely and utterly trusted him.

When we arrived at the fish and chip shop, I didn't feel fear anymore. I knew Robert would be there to protect me.

He promised he always would be.

We've only met twice.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I still love Rob today. I love him with all my heart. I can never forget his kindness and compassion that day. At the time I was young, all I thought about was sex. But now I understand, Rob always has and always will look after me. Because he loves me and I love him. I love him so much I feel like my heart could burst.

He will never leave me.