𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃

wonder if you care

ellie's pov:

trigger warning.

locking the door behind me i made my way down the porch steps, to my house.

"fuck, fuck, fuck," i kept repeating to myself as i slowly got closer, the kitchen lights were on.

i mentally prepared myself for whatever was about to happen, opening the door and peeking inside.

"where the fuck were you?" my stepdad yells, and i freeze.

"oh, you're so dead." he shouts stomping up to me, grabbing my suitcase and throwing it across the room.

all i could do was stare up at him, not like i could fight him off. he's 6'4 with a couple years experience in karate, i'm definitely not trying that.

my mom sat and watched, biting her nails. "i'm sorry i-" i began, but was cut off by one punch in the face.

i immediately dropped to the floor, rubbing my cheek as it stung uncontrollably.

i was met with a kick to my stomach, followed by a couple more punches to my head. "okay, stop!" my mom finally shouts as i laid limp on the kitchen tiles.

"stay the fuck away from me." my dad growls back at her, making her back away before punching me one last time.

all i could do was sit and sob, curling into a ball as he finished. "please stop," i whimper, tears forming a puddle beneath me.

my dad eventually left, spitting in my face as he did. i looked over at my mom, her hand covering her mouth as she stood behind the door.

"i'm so sorry," i heard her whisper as my dad left through the front door.

—

it's now 6am, i haven't slept at all and i'm late for school again.

my whole body ached as i laid in bed, my leg propped up on a pillow as i could barely move it.

by the looks of it i don't think my dad is coming home any time soon, he isn't in the bathroom getting ready for work like he usually is.

i got up with a grunt, wincing at the pain. i haven't looked at myself in the mirror since last night.

i know i'm gonna get jumpscared if i do.

dina's been texting me all night but i don't have the energy to respond, in fact she called me five minutes ago but i declined.

she probably things i'm ghosting her again or something, poor girl.

i finally found the energy to pull myself out of bed, clinging onto my dog for support. of course he let me, i swear this dog sacrifices so much for me.

one being his back pain.

making my way to the bathroom i swung open the door, tearing up as i collapsed onto the counter.

i looked up at myself in the mirror, my chin was busted and both of my eyes were bruised.

a blood vessel had popped in my eye i assume.

the longer i started the more i began to notice half of my eye was bloodshot red while the other was crusted shut.

i splashed some cold water onto my face, skipping my skincare and makeup.

i stuck a bandage to my chin before walking outside, the cold air making me freeze to death as i made my way down the stairs.

dina's pov:

ellie hasn't responded since she left my house yesterday, she said something about being scared to come home for some reason.

i guess that explains it. i really hope she's okay, class starts in a couple minutes and i still don't see her.

reaching for my phone i clicked on her contact, shooting her a message as the bell rang.

| me
hi angel
i'm waiting for you
wya ?

i immediately smiled as she opened the message, typing for what felt like forever.

| my angel <3
coming

| me
about time you answered

| my angel <3
lol

i shut off my phone anxiously staring out of the window and down the sidewalk which she always comes down.

after what felt like hours i was starting to give up hope until i saw a familiar jansport backpack on the ground, she then walked over to pick it up.

i immediately started smiling, waving out the window in hopes she'd see me.

she didn't lift her head once, just walked limping like she was in pain or something.

i excused myself to the bathroom rushing down the stairs and to the lobby doors which she was coming in from.

"ellie!" i call, running up to her but she turns around. "don't," i heard her say lowly.

"huh? what's wrong?"

i tilt my head downward so i could see her, yet she refused to look up.

"come on, tell me."

she shook her head no before walking right past me and to the bathroom.

of course i followed her as always, she was really worrying me. "are you like.. okay?"

i heard her whimper before beginning to cry, bringing her knees to her chest and sobbing into them.

wrapping my arms around her i tried my best to calm her down but nothing was working.

i finally lifted her chin using my finger.

"holy fuck," i say, backing away. "what the hell happened to you?"

all she did was sob even more, every time i spoke it seemed to make it worse. "i fell, that's all."

"a fall wouldn't have you looking like that, don't lie to me." i say, wrapping my arms around her again and pulling her shirt off.

she had wounds and scratches going up her chest and back, bruises scattered everywhere.

"ellie?" i whisper as she rests her head on my chest.

"he did it again," she whispered between sniffles, hugging me tightly. "he beat me."

i immediately paused, looking her in her eyes.

her entire face was red and bruised, her chin had a band aid over it but i could tell it was busted.

i ran a finger over her cheek, she flinched as i did so. "why does he do this to you?" i ask, and she shrugs.

"come on, we're leaving."

i grab her waist, picking her up off the counter as i pulled her shirt back on.

she limped all the way to the exit doors, i carried her bag for her because it was clearly hurting her to do so.

"is he home?" i ask, and she shakes her head. "i don't think he's coming back."

i nod walking with her out of the school. i don't even care about my attendance at this point.

what matters more is making sure ellie's safe.

1,101 words.