Diary of a College Dropout (18+)

Entry 12: Preston VS Luke

I woke up in the morning, wrapped in Preston's arms with his large body pressed up against me. It was the first good night's sleep I'd had in a looong time. I couldn't help but smile to myself knowing I finally got to spend the night safe in the arms of this boy that I loved with my whole, entire heart.

When I tried to move away from him, he only pulled me back in tighter.

"Where are you going?" He questioned with his deep, raspy voice.

His eyes were still closed and he was half asleep but still...

Those words.

They hit me like a Mack truck as a flashback of Luke asking me that exact same thing haunted me. I remembered how he punched me and my lip began to pulse. I touched the collar of my shirt where he had pulled on it. I didn't have any nightmares about him. In fact, I don't think I dreamed at all. But there I was, wide awake, daydreaming of this horrible event.

"I... I'm just going to the bathroom," I said.

Preston's arms relaxed and he released me.

"Hurry back," he mumbled as he rolled over to his other side.

I stood up from the bed and walked by Alyssa who was sleeping on the sofa. I missed her so much that just looking at her lying there grounded me differently.

After going to the bathroom, I went and washed my hands. Looking in the mirror felt like I was in a funhouse or something.

I didn't look like myself.

My eyes were puffy and red from crying. Dark circles had formed beneath them from nights of restlessness and fear. My lip was split open and I ran my tongue over the wound, still able to taste the blood.

"Fuck..." I said to myself.

I splashed some water on my face and looked in the mirror hoping the towel sliding down my face would wipe away the imposter I was looking at and reveal my normal face.

It didn't work.

I sighed before I hung the hand towel on the metal ring and walked back out into the studio.

When I got to Preston's bed, he was sitting up and texting on his phone. He peered up at me and gave me a small smile.

"Please don't look at me," I said, holding my hand out to block his view.

"Why?" He asked confused.

"I look horrible," I frowned as I lowered my arm.

Preston shook his head and continued to smile.

"No you don't," he said. "You look beautiful. You always do. No matter what."

I climbed back into the bed and let Preston pull me in to him.

He kissed me softly and I kissed him back. His lips were just barely touching mine and I think he did that on purpose. I think he was afraid of hurting me further and was playing it safe. Nevertheless, a kiss from Preston is never short of perfection.

"If you two start fucking in that bed, I will literally kill myself," Alyssa sat up from the couch with her hair wild and her eyes barely open.