At my Lowest (Under rewriting)

Dakota

I went on with the rest of my day with Ethan on my mind. The school day was now over and I found myself in the bathroom with Ava, touching up our makeup.

I looked in the mirror at myself and suddenly touched the back of my head " It still hurts" I said out loud. "Well, it was worth it because Ethan is completely 190 pounds of fine," Ava said as she winked at me.I looked at her as if to say calm down.

I ignored her thinking that Ethan Banks is hot. I mean he's not bad but he's a jock, a dumb jock. The guy came from money and had an ego.

I didn't know him well enough to confirm that's how he is, but I know.

I know.

I felt a vibration in my left pocket and pulled my phone out to see if the caller was who I hoped it wasn't. I was out of luck, it was Zach. I gave Ava a look and she knew.

I answered with my hands shaking " Hello?" I muttered, I hated feeling so helpless.

"Why did you tell your mom I hit you ?" The pause was eerie. My heart sank, I didn't even know how to respond. "You aren't a damn baby, you're eighteen for gods sake, Dakota. Did you need to go call for mommy so badly?" His tone was scary; dangerous. Every voice was in her head, telling her to hang up but her fingers wouldn't move.

"So am I a bad guy, Dakota? I needed to hit you. You understand, right? I needed to, you weren't listening. You never fucking listen." I could hear him hit the dashboard.

I was caught off guard and I stood there in disbelief. "I know, I know I was wrong, you had to. I'll never tell someone again, I'm so sorry Zach." I didn't want him to hear me cry. It would only make it worse.

"Oh you're gonna be fucking sorry. I'm on my way over, now. Be outside when I get here." I tensed up, I could barely breathe. My finger finally hit the button to end the call. I covered my sobs with my hand and looked to Ava.

Her eyes were wide, she had tears in her eyes too. Normally, she's the first to step in, but I think she was surprised, she couldn't even say a word.

No words were needed, she took my hand into her grasp.

We rushed to my car to hopefully drive away before he got here. It was too late. I saw his pickup drive up to us. The sound of the engine cutting off was like nails on a chalkboard.

All I could remember was two nights ago when he cut off the engine, dragged me by hair and kicked me in the face like I was nothing.

I was brought back to present tense when I heard his door slam as he got out. He was angry, so angry.

"Do you want me to go to jail? Is that what you want? For them to lock me up, and throw away the key."

I sobbed louder than before, shaking my head. I glanced at Ava for assurance, She didn't need to be asked. "Well did you do something illegal, Zach? Because putting your hands on your girlfriend, that's illegal." Ava snapped back.

Suddenly, a looming presence was behind me. He walked around Ava and I and placed his hand on Zach's shoulder.

"Man, you shouldn't let a lady cry like that in front of you." Ethan suggested.

"She's just upset, a little upset, she's gonna be fine. We're good, so you can go." Zach turns back to me, his eyes narrowing as if he's already questioning my relationship with Ethan.

"I don't want to have to make a scene in the school parking lot. You don't want that." Ethan tucks his hands in his pockets, his presence speaks for itself.

Zach turns back to him. Slowly. "What?"

Well Ethan was serious. Zach was two years older than me, he was twenty. I expected something from him, maybe he could beat up Ethan, but that isn't what I wanted. It's just what made sense, since he was able to hurt me so easily, as if he had a talent for it.

But now, Ethan was furious, and it spoke through his actions. It started with a shoving match, but soon, Ethan threw the first punch. It got bloody quick.

Ava on the other hand was staring at Ethan and not in shock, she was so desperate for this guy I mean seriously desperate.

I finally found my voice, "Stop!" I shouted, I couldn't watch this anymore.

In a couple of minutes I was being held by Ethan fucking Banks, and my boyfriend was being taken away in an ambulance. Ava and I both lied to the police saying that Zach hit him first so that Ethan wouldn't get in trouble.

Ethan was still hugging me when my dad walked out of the school. "Dad." Tears fell when I saw him, I was ashamed. People would surely know now, I've been letting myself stay with Zach, a horrible guy.

He walked over to us and finally said something " You wanna keep holding my daughter Banks or let me talk to her?" Ethan let me go, embarrassed. I hugged my dad, finding comfort in his grasp. He was always there for me.

"You're safe now, Dakota. You're safe." My father said softly." He raised his head and looked at Ethan. "Thank you." Ethan nodded.

I'm not sure anyone knew the extent of how bad Zach was, to Ethan and even my dad, they saw a bad argument.

That night, there was a thud at my window. I opened it, it was Zach.

"Zach?"

"Let me in, Dakota."

I walked to the front door and I let him in.

"Why are you here?" I put distance in between us, not wanting to get too close.

"I've been so horrible to you. You never deserved that, Kota. I need you to forgive me, please." His tone seemed genuine, he was bruised and beaten, but it was still the face I had fallen in love with.

"Will things be different?" I asked, I needed him to say yes so badly.

"Of course." He said, taking my hands.

"Promise?"

"I promise."