Beyond Friendship [Remastered]

Chapter One.

"The Starting Point."
Trigger warnings;
Abuse, mention of SH and past abusive relationships
Word Count; 1,959 (1.9k)

James awakens from the sunlight pouring into his room. He squeezes his eyes shut and turns around facing the door in his room; he slowly creaks his eyes open and stares at the door, remembering it was his first anniversary with his boyfriend. James sighed and arose from the bed, staring into space for a few seconds. He didn't want to leave the comfort of his bed, but he wanted to show his boyfriend that he was valued.

James entered the bathroom and turned on the shower water; he removed his shirt, examining his chest, stomach, and sides. He has a few scars as he used to deal with self-harm. He traced his fingers along the scars that aligned his stomach and sighed, feeling glad his boyfriend hadn't seen them yet as they hadn't done anything intimate. James had just never felt arousal. It never bothered his boyfriend before, so he never pushed himself out of his comfort zone.
James removed his lip ring and examined his plump lips. They were perfectly specked with a red tint. He has ebony hair that falls perfectly upon his face, sometimes covering his amber eyes. His rosy, freckled skin was complemented by his hair and the hues it rayed in the skylight. Sometimes, he wonders how he got so lucky with his appearance, but other times he feels cursed for looking the way he does.

Despite all odds, he was loved, and if other people could love him then he could love himself too, right? Though he knew he didn't need people to love him so he could love himself, it was nice knowing he had someone to love him.

As the bathroom filled with a mist from the hot water, James exited the room to grab some clothes; he knew it was a Saturday and it should be laid back, but he wanted to be formal for his boyfriend whom he'd take on a date for their first anniversary together. He didn't go too formal; he just picked a collared white shirt to cover with a black sweater and grabbed some khaki jeans and white Air Forces. James set them on the bathroom counter near the sink and finished undressing for his shower. He didn't dare look at his thighs; though he had come to terms with his scars, he didn't like the memories they brought back. They weren't from self-harm, no. They were from James' abusive former partner, and they were together for three years. Though some people make it seem like light-weight to leave an abusive partner, it isn't as easy as it seems. Some manipulate and guilt trip, others threaten to kill themselves. Some are unbelievably ruthless and threaten to hurt you or your family if you leave, making you feel entitled to stay.

The only way James got out was with the help of his sister. Roselyn. She's two years older than him, and at the time she had just gotten a car and wanted to help James out of the horrid situation. As unbelievable as it seems, all James has to say is that he found someone new. It didn't make 100% sense to him since he lied about cheating on his lover many times before in hopes he would leave, but he still stayed. James even called the police on his former partner before. Unfortunately, nothing came of it without proof. James hadn't taken pictures of the bruises or cuts as he thought his survival was more important. To the police, the evidence was more important.

James gave up hope after that and stayed silent for a few years until he finally got free. He started telling his friends and family his story, but some didn't believe him. He even lost some 'friends' over it. His mother and grandparents didn't care and brushed it off, not knowing the mental turmoil it took on him— a shame, but that's the reality of some situations. You won't always have someone who believes you. James stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around his waist, and let the steam mellow off his body from the hot water.

He wiped the fog off the mirror and examined his face; he pulled out his toothbrush and began brushing his teeth, and he got a disgusting feeling through his body when brushing his tongue as he didn't like the gagging feeling. James puts his clothing on and heads toward the living room, greeting Roselyn as he walks out the front entrance. James' driver takes him to a store, James buys Josh flowers, and heads to Josh's house—James' boyfriend.

James knocks on the door, and once Josh opens it, James smiles brightly and cheekily and sticks out the flowers toward Josh. Josh smiles and allows James in; James hasn't noticed the wound on Josh's face as he has always struggled to hold eye contact with Josh. They go into Josh's room, and James sits on his bed and glances around the room. James sees a box of chocolates on Josh's desk but gets his thoughts bombarded by Josh closing the bedroom door. James glances at Josh with the smile still on his face, yet it quickly withers away as he notices the wound.