Between the desks

Chapter 37

Elizabeth's POV

As Amren and I wrapped up our tutoring session, I could feel my heart racing. The adrenaline coursed through me, a mixture of excitement and nerves. I wasn't sure why, but I had momentarily forgotten about everything that had happened earlier in the day. All my worries and anxieties faded away in the wake of her presence.

Just as I was about to leave the room, something caught my eye—a delicate bracelet lying on the floor. It shimmered under the fluorescent lights, and my instincts told me it probably belonged to Amren. Curiosity piqued, I opened my office door, peering into the hallway to see if she was still around. But the corridor was empty, devoid of her unmistakable energy.

I stepped back into my office, my mind racing. Without thinking too much about it, I picked up the bracelet and slipped it into my wallet, wanting to keep it close for now. The clock on my desk read 1 PM, a reminder that time was slipping away.

With a sigh, I turned my attention to the pile of work awaiting me. I needed to focus. I dove into a mountain of emails, responding to students and colleagues alike, the rhythm of my typing filling the silence. I also began preparing for my next lesson and more tutoring sessions. After a while, I reached for my water bottle and took several long gulps, feeling the cool liquid soothe my dry throat.

Just as I was settling into my work, I heard a sharp knock at the door. "Come in!" I called out, my voice echoing slightly in the small space. The door opened to reveal Scarlett, her face bright and warm, a welcome sight amid my swirling thoughts.

"Hi, Liz!" she greeted, her cheerful demeanor instantly lifting my spirits.

"Is it already 5?" I asked, glancing at the clock in disbelief. "I'm sorry, Scar, I completely lost track of time!" I hastily began packing my bag, my mind still buzzing with the earlier tutoring session.

Scarlett raised an eyebrow, clearly reading the room. "What happened, Liz? You seem a bit off."

I took a deep breath, preparing myself to share what had been weighing heavily on my heart. "Robbie's new girlfriend called me this morning. She somehow got my number." My voice trailed off, a wave of anxiety washing over me.

Scar nodded, her expression shifting from concern to empathy. "What did she want?"

"She wanted to talk about Robbie," I said, feeling the knot in my stomach tighten. "She said he... he hits her too." The words escaped my lips like a jolt of electricity, and I felt my heart shatter into a thousand pieces.

Scar's eyes widened, shock flickering across her face. Her mouth tightened into a thin line, mirroring the turmoil I felt inside. "Oh my god, Liz," she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. I could feel tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, and before I knew it, they began to fall.

Scar raced toward me, wrapping her arms around me in a protective embrace. She stroked my hair gently, holding me tightly as I let the tears flow. "It's okay, it's okay," she murmured softly, her warmth wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.

"I could have stopped this, Scar!" I gasped, my words coming out in choked sobs. "If I weren't so damn selfish..."

"Hey, Liz," she said firmly, pulling back just enough to look me in the eye. "You were not selfish. You took care of yourself. Remember, he cheated on you. He hurt you. You were scared, and that's completely normal. You chose your safety."

"But I should have known," I cried, wiping at my eyes but only smearing the tears across my cheeks. "I should have seen the signs, done something before it got to this point."

Scar frowned, her brow furrowing in concern. "You can't blame yourself for his actions. You did what you thought was best for you at the time. You were in a toxic situation, Liz. Leaving was a brave choice."

"Brave?" I echoed, feeling a little incredulous. "It feels more like running away."

"No," she insisted, her voice steady and resolute. "It's about survival. You're not running away; you're choosing to prioritize your well-being. You're stronger than you realize."

I nodded, taking a moment to absorb her words. I felt a flicker of hope amidst the despair. "Thanks, Scar. I really needed to hear that. Sometimes I just feel so lost."

Scar smiled gently. "It's okay to feel that way. We all do sometimes. You've been through a lot. Just remember, I'm here for you. We'll figure this out together."

"Yeah, together," I repeated, a small smile creeping onto my face as the weight of my emotions began to lighten.

"Now, how about we grab some coffee and take a break from all this heavy stuff?" Scar suggested, her eyes brightening. "You could use a pick-me-up."

I chuckled, feeling grateful for her support. "That sounds perfect. Let's do it."

As we left my office, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I wasn't alone in this battle; I had Scar by my side. And somehow, that made everything a little more bearable.

Once we reached the campus café, Scar grabbed us both cups of coffee while I found a quiet corner to sit. When she returned, she placed a steaming cup in front of me and settled into the chair across from me.

"Alright, spill it," she said playfully, taking a sip of her drink. "What did she say exactly? I want the whole story."

I took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts. "Elle, that's her name, she sounded really scared. I mean, she was almost crying. She said Robbie hits her. And it broke me all over again to hear that."

Scar's expression shifted to one of deep concern. "Did she say why she stayed with him? That's the first question that comes to my mind."

"Not really," I admitted, looking down at my coffee as if it held all the answers. "I just think she's trapped, just like I was. It's so complicated, Scar. I don't want to get involved again, but I feel like I need to help her somehow."

"Helping someone who's in an abusive relationship can be tough," Scar replied thoughtfully, her brow furrowing. "But you have to protect your own heart first. You did what you had to do to keep yourself safe."

"I know, but it's still hard to swallow," I sighed, running my fingers over the warmth of the cup. "Part of me wants to reach out to her and tell her to run. But the other part is terrified of getting involved."

"Liz," Scar said gently, "you can't save everyone. You can share your experience, maybe help her find a safe space, but ultimately, it's her decision. You can't bear that weight on your shoulders."

"I just... I feel so helpless," I admitted, a wave of frustration washing over me. "How can someone be so cruel and then just move on like nothing happened?"

Scar nodded, her expression serious. "It's infuriating, isn't it? But the best thing you can do is keep living your life. Focus on your own healing, and if you find a way to help her without compromising your own well-being, that's great. But don't forget to take care of yourself first."

"I guess you're right," I said reluctantly, my heart still heavy but comforted by her presence. "I just need time to process everything."

"Time and coffee," she quipped, raising her cup. "Here's to healing, one sip at a time."

I laughed, clinking my cup against hers. "Cheers to that."

As we sat there, the weight of the day began to lift, and for the first time in a while, I felt a glimmer of hope. I wasn't alone in this journey, and with friends like Scar by my side, maybe I could face whatever came next.