Always You

Enza

Enza POV

I woke up, reaching out my arms to find Jace. The bed where she usually slept was cold, indicating she had been awake for some time. Getting out of bed, I struggled to keep her sweatpants from falling down. Despite being her smallest pair, they were still too big for me. It was confusing why my dad and siblings always teased me about my weight. I was hardly heavy at all, and Jace despised it. She constantly urged me to eat more, but for some reason, I was determined to earn my father's approval. Perhaps if I followed his advice, he would finally show me some love.

As I cautiously pushed open the door to Jace's room, my eyes immediately landed on the staircase. A soft glow emanated from below, drawing me towards it. Descending the stairs, I entered the living room and saw Jace's parents seated on one couch, with Jace on the other. They were engrossed in a movie, exuding an aura of contentment that I longed for. My own family, on the other hand, struggled to accept my autism, leaving me feeling isolated. Despite my apprehension around Jace's parents, I found solace in their acceptance and love. They treated me with kindness and equality, making me feel like a part of their family.

"Enza, come over here and sit next to me." Jace called out as she noticed me at the bottom of the staircase. I made my way across the living room, giving her parents a smile. They were always understanding about my autism and never pressured me to talk. I settled on the couch, unsure if Jace wanted me closer now that her parents were around.

"Enza?" Jace's voice was soft as she spoke. I glanced at her, but remained silent, focusing on the TV instead. She reached out and gently took my arm, pulling me back into her embrace.

Jace's lips met my neck, causing me to squirm in her embrace. A soft chuckle escaped her as she toyed with my hair, prompting me to tilt my head back against her.

"Feeling hungry, baby?" Jace's whisper in my ear made me release a shaky breath. She had a way of making me nervous with the simplest gestures, and I despised it. Unable to trust my own voice, I simply shook my head in response.

Running her hands down my sides, Jace then slipped them under my shirt.

"I can feel your ribs, Enza. You need to eat something," Jace's tone was firm. Knowing there was no changing her mind, I reluctantly nodded, avoiding any argument. Jace rose from the couch, taking my hand and guiding me to the kitchen.

Eating was always a challenge for me, not just because of my dad, but also due to my sensory disorder. Certain textures made it difficult for me to enjoy food. "How about some pizza, baby?" Jace asked, looking at me intently.

I glanced at the pizza on the counter, probably ordered by her parents. "Pizza sounds good," I replied. My agreement brought a smile to her face as she handed me a slice on a paper plate. She then pushed the plate towards me and went to the fridge to get me a water bottle. I picked up the pizza and took a slow bite, trying to calm my nerves. Jace came up behind me, placing her hands on my waist and resting her head on my shoulder as I finished the slice. "Well done, baby," Jace praised me, making me smile.

As I turned around, I wrapped my arms around her, feeling a surge of happiness that she was content with me. We stood there, basking in the moment, until the sound of my phone interrupted our embrace.

Glancing at the screen, I saw it was my mom calling. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether to answer or not, but ultimately decided to pick up.

"Hello?" I greeted.

"Where are you?" my mom's voice sounded concerned.

"I'm with Jace at her house, Mom. I'm perfectly fine," I reassured her.

"I want you home now," my mom demanded.

Before I could respond, she abruptly ended the call. I didn't want to leave; I wanted to stay with Jace and her parents. Overwhelmed with emotions, I buried my face into Jace's chest, tears streaming down my face. She held me tighter, her concern evident.

"What did she say, sweetheart?" Jace asked, worried about my sudden change in mood."She wants me to come home, but I don't want to," I sobbed, seeking solace in her comforting embrace.

Memories of the past flooded my mind, reminding me of the consequences I faced the last time I stayed with Jace against my parents' wishes. Unbeknownst to Jace, my dad had called the police, resulting in her arrest.

I exhaled deeply, feeling conflicted. The last thing I wanted was for Jace to end up back in jail. I composed myself, taking slow breaths to calm down, knowing my dad would be furious if he saw me upset. Jace wiped away my tears and planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Let's head home, alright?" Jace said, taking my hand and leading me towards the door.

I tightly gripped Jace's hand as we strolled down the road towards my house, admiring the beautiful night sky filled with stars that brought me a sense of comfort. As we neared my driveway, I hesitated, not wanting to go inside. Sensing my reluctance, Jace planted a kiss on my neck.

"I'll walk you in, Enza," Jace offered, taking the lead. I eagerly pulled her towards the door, hand in hand. Upon entering the house, my entire family was gathered in the living room. "Don't even think about going upstairs, come here, Enza," my dad's stern voice rang out, causing me to hold onto Jace's hand even tighter.

Dad called out to me, and I felt a knot form in my stomach. Reluctantly, I made my way over to him, unsure of what was to come. Jace shot me a sympathetic glance, but I knew she couldn't intervene. As I approached my dad, he abruptly grabbed my hands, removing the bandages Jace had carefully applied. My mom's voice rang out in protest, but I knew deep down she wouldn't take action to prevent it.

"I just wanted to see the damage I caused" he laughed out evilly.

My siblings eagerly joined in, while my mother simply shook her head in disapproval. Jace swiftly took hold of my arm, guiding me towards the staircase that led to my room. As we ascended, I couldn't help but notice the worn-out and creaky bed frame, a clear indication that my parents held no affection for me. Despite this, Jace remained unfazed, always ready to come over whenever I desired her presence, without any hesitation.

"You're aware that I can't stay here for much longer, your dad might end up calling the police," Jace whispered to me while I rested on her. I nodded in agreement, refusing to budge and let her go. "Just give me a little more time until I fall asleep, pretty please," I pleaded, pouting and gazing into her eyes. She nodded, gently caressing my back, and wished me a peaceful night.

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