How it happened

Part 5:

Harper's POV: 

He loves me. I know it. When I got home from work there were flowers on the table and roasted chicken on the stove. He thinks it's my favorite because it's his favorite, it's not. But still the thought is sweet. Jack's on his knees crying, begging, apologizing. 

"I'm so sorry baby. I love you. I'm fucking horrible. God please forgive me." And I do. At least I think I do. I hear myself say the words.

"I love you too Jacky. I forgive you, it's okay, you're not horrible." They flow from my lips like water from a dispenser, forced, filtered, flat. I love him but, why do I have to keep telling myself that.

I wake up with a cold brick laying across my chest, I look over to see Jackson's sleeping face. He looks peaceful, harmless. But he's not. I have an 8 am class this morning so I force myself up and into the shower. It's always been a safe space for me, the shower that is. I know it sounds odd but I love the feeling of the water covering my body. Back home it was baths, being submerged in the warm water felt so safe, like a soft warm hug. Jackson's hugs aren't soft or warm. But we don't have a bathtub here so the showers the next best thing. I used to swim laps at the pool but Jackson didn't like other people seeing that much of my body so I stopped. 

After I rinse my hair I step out and wrap myself in a pastel blue towel. I have to take extra time this morning to cover the bruises with a heavy layer of concealer before I slip on one of Jacks hoodies and head out the door. 

Even though it's 8 am when I sit down for class I'm still happy to be there. I love books and reading so English class has always been one of my favorite classes. Once the professor starts talking I'm lost taking notes and I don't even notice the two people that sit themselves besides me. 

"Hey, do you have a pencil I could borrow?" I recognize the deep tone of the voice immediately and my head snaps up. Alex's bright green eyes stare back at me. His hair is extra messy this morning and he's wearing a dark green hoodie with black sweatpants.  

"Oh! Of course.." I say handing him a pencil. He doesn't look away at first, his eyes zooming in on my neck. I look back down and continue writing. 

"thanks." I nod and look back up, that's when I see the redhead sitting next to him starting at me. His light blue eyes take me in making me squirm in my seat a little.

"Hey! I'm Oakley but you can call me Oak!" His voice sounds so happy, it makes me smile.

"Hi, I'm Harper" 

"Oh I know" He doesn't elaborate so I look back down and continue taking notes. "How do you like his class?" Alex's eye snap to me waiting for my answer

"Um.. I actually really like it. English is my favorite subject."

"No way! Alex here sucks at it, maybe you could tutor him sometime?" 

"I uh.. I don't think Jackson would like that very much.." I watch as both guy's faces drop a bit. "I mean... um.. I just don't have a lot of time, with work and all you know?" The guys nod back. 

The class goes on quietly and as soon as the bell rings I fly out of my seat and out the door. I find Jackson waiting for me, he's leaning against the wall next to the door. His biceps are straining against his long sleeve shirt, I used to think it was hot, that he was so strong but now it scares me a little. He's talking to a tall blonde, she's beautiful, her legs are long and tan and her light brown eyes bring out the darker spots in her hair. 

"Hey babe!" I say as I approach them. The girl looks at me confused.

"Babe? I thought you said-" She's cut off by Jackson. 

"Mandy! This is my girlfriend Harper!" He cuts away from her, wrapping his arm around me. He hits the bruise he left on my shoulder and stiffen. 

"It's Amanda. And I'm gonna go." I watch as she turns around and hurries away. 

"What was that about?" I didn't mean it in an accusing manner, I was just curious, she left really fast. 

"Why do you care? You fucking scared her away, your too ugly for anyone to want to be around you. You should start dressing better Harpy you look like shit. And why'd you leave me without any food this morning? I woke up alone do you know how shitty that is for a guy like me?" He whisper yells in my ear as he's hunched over me. His arm digs into my back and shoulders as he talks and I know he can see how much it hurts. He doesn't care anymore. 

"I'm sorry Jack I didn't think. I thought you wouldn't want to get up that early and I didn't want to miss my class." I watch as anger sparks in his eyes.

"Yeah? Well maybe you should've thought. It doesn't even matter if you miss a class. I'm the man. I make the money. I don't even know why your-" 

"Hey! Harper!" Jackson is interrupted by Alex's voice as he rushes over to us. 

................................................................................................................................................................Alex's POV: 

I don't get why she always leaves so fast. I saw the dark bruising she tried to cover up. It's on her neck how the fuck would she fall to get bruising like that? It takes me a second to get out of the crowded lecture hall but once I do I see her. And her boyfriend.

His arm is curled around her. Tightly. And his head is bent down towards her face, I can see his eyes contorting into anger as he speaks as Harper's eyes well with tears. As I get closer I catch a bit of what he's saying "well maybe you should've thought...."  Before I can think my legs make their way over to them and my mouth opens.

"Hey! Harper!" Jackson's head jolts up and switches back to his friendly nice guy exterior. Harper's eyes are still trained on the ground. 

"Hey man what's up?" I can tell by the way his voice is straining slightly and the way his grip on Harper tightens even more that he's annoyed but, honestly I don't give a shit my eyes are focused on Harper. 

"I just um... the homework... I wanted to see if I could borrow some notes?" I say looking at Harper but of course Jackson speaks for her.

"I don't know man isn't that like cheating or something? Plus Harper and I have to go. Like Now." I watch as he drags her away and against my better judgement I do nothing to stop it.