Broken (A Zach Bryan Fan Fiction)

Chapter 6

As I closed the door behind me I took a shaky breath and pressed my back against the door as I collapsed to the floor. My mind was racing with a million different thoughts. What would have happened if he hadn't saved me? Is he just trying to trick me? Will he hurt me as well?

I crawled to my bedroom and pulled myself into bed. Once I laid down I was frozen in sheer pain and panic, my mind raced the whole night. I had never been more thankful that Sunday was my day off and I barely slept. Thankfully I was able to sleep in until 10:30 a.m. after finally being able to fall asleep.

I rolled over in bed and grabbed my phone to see 3 missed messages from Zach.

8:02 a.m.

"Good morning, just wanted to make sure you were okay?"

9:25 a.m.

"I'm sure you had a long night, but I need to know if you're okay"

10:12 a.m.

"Brynn, please let me know if you're okay"

I sat there for a moment, trying to think about what to say back to him.

"I'm okay" was all I could muster up as a reply.

I peeled myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom. I turned on the shower and looked at myself in the mirror.

"You are worthless" I muttered to myself.

I couldn't help but wonder if Zach had noticed all of the marks on my torso. The ones on my face had been covered with makeup and my arms covered by a long sleeve at the diner, but he had seen me without my shirt on.

The thought of Zach seeing my body in this state caused me to retch. I pulled myself back up off the floor and stepped into the shower. I stood there full of self hatred and eyes up my razor. It had been a while since I had even considered this but after everything that has happened in my life I have been feeling completely numb and needed to feel something. I stood there debating but ended up succumbing to the urge.

As I stepped out of the shower I bandaged myself up and walked back to my bedroom to get dressed.

I looked down at my phone and saw a new message from Zach.

11:02 a.m.

Want to meet for lunch? I can swing by your place and pick you up.

I sat there debating whether I should accept this invite or not. What if he was just trying to trick me into getting what he wants? What if he hurts me?

11:08 a.m.

No pressure, if you don't want to I get it.

I took a deep breath and weighed my options, what else could go wrong in my life?

"Sure, I can be ready for 12:30?" I replied

"Perfect, I will pick you up then"

I suppressed a smile and went off to find something to wear as well as to cover up the remaining bruises on my face.

I slipped into my bedroom and slid on a pair of ripped skinny jeans, an oversized sweater, and a pair of boots. Once I was happy with what I was wearing I headed to the bathroom. I quickly applied makeup to my face as I couldn't stand looking at it without. Once I finished I threw my hair back into two dutch braids and pulled on it to make it look more full.

Suddenly there was a knock at my door, I looked down at my phone and it read 12:28 p.m. Zach must be here already. I took one last look at myself in the mirror and headed to the door.

I swung the front door open and there stood Zach, his blonde hair fell perfectly, he was wearing a pair of light coloured jeans and a flannel long sleeve shirt. He looked up at me and smiled.

"You ready to go?" he asked, as he reached out towards my hand.

I instinctively pulled away, hopefully not as noticeably as it felt. I looked down at my hands embarrassed, and that's when I noticed the edges of my sweater were turning red.

What the hell? I thought to myself and that's when it hit me, I didn't change my bandages before he came. My eyes darted to his face, praying he hadn't noticed, but it was too late.

"Brynn..." he said with a concerned look in his eyes.

He took a step forward and gently grabbed my arm, I winced in pain as the cuts were still too fresh.

"It's nothing" I reassured him.

"You're bleeding, it's not nothing"

"Yeah, I just cut myself this morning trying to open a box with a knife...silly me"

By the look he gave me, I knew he did not believe a word I had said. Great, I've ruined this. I quickly backed away and headed to the bathroom, I cleaned up the wounds and applied new bandages. Once I was finished I walked into my bedroom and pick a new sweater from my closet, discarding the old one into my dirty laundry pile and then headed back to the front door.

"Ready?" I asked

He looked as though he wanted to ask more, but he just nodded and led the way.

I followed him around town as he began to spout of various pieces of history to me. We ended up at another diner in the town where we sat down for lunch.

"So tell me about yourself Brynn"

"Umm" I stammered "I'm 21 years old, just moved here this week, and that about sums it up"

He chuckled heartily "No, Brynn I mean about you, your family, where you grew up"

Hearing the word family stung, and my heart sunk into my stomach.

"I grew up in a small town a couple of hours away, my mother passed away when I was young so it was just me and my father" I paused thinking about what to tell him next "I decided that it was time to move away, so I packed my bags and hit the road"

"You didn't want to stay near your dad?" he asked kindly

"Oh, no, we kind of grew apart when my mom passed" I choked out.

He gave me a quizzical look but he didn't ask any further questions.

We chatted the afternoon away until it was time for us to head back home.

"Hey, I'm playing a show at the local bar tonight, I would love it if you came and watched"

"Sure, I'll be there" I smiled.

"Great, it starts at 9:30 p.m."

Zach walked me back to my apartment and told me he would see me later. I said goodbye and shut the door behind me. My hands were trembling, I can not be falling for him. I drank a cold glass of water and washed my face. I went to go and take a quick nap before having to get up to get ready for his show.

~whisperingspring