band-aids don't fix bullet holes

{3} hits different

TW: Physical abuse and mentions of ED

Taylors POV:

I turn the key in the lock and enter the house, not quite sure what to expect after Joe's message half an hour ago.
I drop my bag onto the couch and make my way into the kitchen, where he is sitting on a chair, rather impatient with his fingernails digging into the wood of the table.
"What took you so long?!" the man finally opens his mouth before forcing me to sit down next to him. "Sorry." I mumble as I meet his eyes and let his dry stare burn right through me.

"I told you I don't want you this exposed to the world! Why weren't you more careful?!Yet, some more lines about you and us!! I'm tired of it, Taylor!!" he tells through gritted teeth.

"Seriously, what am I supposed to do?! I can't help being followed by those freaks! I didn't choose this either but you gotta calm the hell down!" I snap back but avoid his face, not daring to look at it.

"Goddamn it!" Joe slams his fist onto the table in a way that makes me want to jump off my chair, but I keep still.

"They didn't say anything bad." I try to remind him, because it's true. There weren't rude accusations of any kind. Just some simple words about me being seen. I can't hide inside this house for the rest of my life and I don't want to.
Seriously, what's the deal? It's a fact that I'm known by the whole planet.

"I don't fucking care! I don't want the attention!"

"What do you want me to do about
it now?" I wonder and fold my arms in front of my chest.

"I want you to learn the consequences, so you sure will be more careful the next time you leave the house!" my boyfriend raises his voice before ordering me to get up. So does he.

The next thing I feel is a stinging pain emerging from my cheek rushing through my entire body. I stumble back a few steps before even realizing what just happened.
I close my eyes and reach for the burning skin on my face.

Did he just slap me?

"That's what you deserve!" he screams and a tear escapes my eye still trying to process what just happened. Joe shakes his head in disbelief before leaving me in the kitchen like a heap of misery but I simply stand there, wondering what I did wrong.

I don't know how long I stood there but eventually I get moving, upstairs, in the bathroom and lock the door. Finally I catch a glance at the mirror; my cheek is red and I flinch at every touch.

How could he?

When there's a knock on the door I immediately tense up.
"Hey babe, I'm sorry." I hear Joe's voice. "I didn't mean to hurt you." he apologizes. Slowly I make my way to the door before opening it. He is standing there with his arms open and I hold back, not quite sure whether I'm ready for his embrace.

"Why Joe?" I mumble and give in, meeting his embrace as he pulls me closer. It's been a while since I last felt his touch, except for the slap on the face. Tears start running down my cheeks and I sob into his shirt.
"I just wanna protect you...well...us. The world is a dangerous place." he tries to explain himself; I just nod after letting go of him. 

As naive as I am, I really thought that incident would be a once in a lifetime occurrence but oh boy, I wish I had known earlier that this was just the beginning of the end...

The rest of the day passes without any major events. I spend some time trying to work on my album but my imagination just doesn't bloom the way it usually does.

"Want me to make some dinner?" I ask my boyfriend after entering the living room, where he is seated on the sofa watching some trash tv.

"No dinner for you. You've had enough yesterday and I don't want you to gain
any more weight."
He takes a look at my body, taking in every detail.

"You're probably right." I sigh and mimic his expression, looking down on my body.
I really do need to eat a little less.

"I can still make something for you though?" I suggest and he nods, his attention back on the TV .

After making dinner for Joe I decide it's time for a shower. In the bathroom I strip off my clothes, eyeing the scale that is placed below the sink.
No minute later I step onto it. The number sends shivers down my spine and I'm not really sure how to feel. I just know it was the right choice to skip dinner today.