"Behind Closed Doors"

Breaking Her Down

Chapter 4:

Kayla sat on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing. Devin had left, but his presence still lingered in her apartment like a heavy fog. It was like he had a way of staying in her head, even when he wasn't physically there.

She pulled her knees up to her chest, hugging them tight, wondering how she got here. How did everything flip so fast? Devin had started off sweet, like the perfect man who made her feel seen. Now, she felt like she was disappearing.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand again, and she didn't have to look to know it was him.

Devin: You tryna make this harder than it gotta be?

Kayla closed her eyes, feeling the exhaustion wash over her. She didn't even respond. Every day was the same routine now. He would text her nonstop, calling her when she didn't answer fast enough, acting like he owned her time and her life. She used to be able to brush it off, but now it felt like every move she made had to be calculated. Like she had to watch her back.

She hadn't told anybody what was going on, though. Not her brothers, not Lena. Part of her was ashamed. She couldn't let them see her like this, not when she was supposed to have it all together. Her brothers would flip if they knew, especially Isaiah, and the last thing she needed was him storming into her life, demanding to fix things.

She just wanted to handle it on her own, but the more she tried, the deeper she sank.

The next morning, Kayla headed to work, trying to shake off the feeling of dread sitting heavy on her chest. She wasn't supposed to feel this way, not when everything else in her life was going fine. She had school, she had a job, she had her family. She was supposed to be strong.

But Devin had a way of making her question herself. He had broken her down piece by piece, and she hadn't even seen it happening.

She was halfway through her shift when Lena walked into the store, her face lighting up when she saw Kayla behind the counter.

"Girl, it's been forever. You been hidin' from me?" Lena joked, leaning against the counter.

Kayla forced a smile, but she could feel the tension creeping up her spine. "Nah, just been busy. You know how it is."

Lena tilted her head, studying her. "You good though? You been actin' kinda funny lately. I barely hear from you no more."

Kayla's heart pounded in her chest. She hated lying, especially to Lena, but she couldn't let her in on everything. Not yet.

"Yeah, I'm straight," Kayla said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Just been swamped with work and school, that's all."

Lena raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Mm-hmm. You sure it ain't that dude you been seein'? 'Cause I ain't heard you mention him in a minute either."

Kayla's stomach twisted. "Nah, it's nothin'. We just... been keepin' it lowkey."

Lena narrowed her eyes, like she was about to press the issue, but she let it go. "Aight, well, you know I'm here if you need to talk. Don't be out here tryna handle everything by yourself."

Kayla nodded, trying to keep her face calm. "Yeah, I know. Thanks."

As soon as Lena walked out, Kayla exhaled, leaning against the counter for support. The lies were piling up. She hated keeping things from her, but what was she supposed to say? That her whole life was unraveling and she didn't know how to stop it?

Later that evening, Kayla sat in her apartment, scrolling through her phone mindlessly when Devin's name popped up again.

Devin: You ain't hit me back all day. You must be out wit' your lil' friends or somethin'.

Kayla stared at the message, her heart thudding. He was always like this, always making it seem like she was doing something wrong. She knew she shouldn't respond, but if she didn't, he'd just keep blowing up her phone.

Kayla: Been busy. At work.

A few seconds later, he replied.

Devin: Bet. You better not be lyin'.

Kayla's hands shook as she read the message. This was getting worse, way worse than she had ever expected. Every day it felt like he was pulling her deeper into a place she couldn't escape from. She knew she had to get out, but the thought of leaving scared her. What would Devin do if she really tried to cut him off? What if he didn't let her go?

Her phone buzzed again.

Devin: Come thru tonight. I need to see you.

Kayla stared at the message, her stomach turning. She knew if she didn't go, it would be a problem. But the thought of being with him made her skin crawl. She felt trapped, like no matter what she did, it would end badly.

She dropped her phone on the bed, her mind racing. She had to get out of this. She couldn't keep living like this, hiding everything from her family and friends. But she had no idea how to break free.