One Plus One

Chapter Seventy-One

"Marlie?...Marlie, wake up."

I jolted awake forgetting I was in the safety of my own home. Lily's smiling face calmed me.

"Come on, dinner is downstairs."

I rose from my bed and began to follow her downstairs.

"Oh, and a boy called." I froze dead in my tracks. "He says he'll pick you up at 8."

"I'm not hungry. I think I'll have a shower and get ready."

"Marlie, you need to eat something. You haven't eaten all day."

"I'll eat later. I'm not hungry right now."

"Fine. You're not staying out tonight are you?"

I shook my head even though I knew I wouldn't have much choice in the matter. I ran hastily towards the bathroom as my stomach churned at the thought of being near Jamie again. I knew what he was capable of which filled every ounce of my body with fear.

I looked at myself in the mirror once I was ready. I had opted for the safe option of skinny jeans and a loose flowing top. I was hoping that it would stop Jamie's hands from wandering and giving him the satisfaction he was after. The way his eyes traced my body when I slowly opened the door to him told me it was unsuccessful. The corners of his mouth curved into a smirk as he stared.

"You look sexy." he said, throwing in a wink.

For some reason, that comment instilled some bravery in me. I let out a sound of disgust.

"Come on, baby. Lets go."

He reached out for my hand but I denied him it. I saw his jaw tense, obviously annoyed that I wouldn't let him touch me. He flicked his head in the direction I needed to walk. I complied walking forwards. As the club emerged into view he dragged my hand from my side and took it in his. My head shot up to meet his gaze.

"You're mine. Everyone needs to know."

"I'm not yours." I protested.

"What did you just say?"

"I don't belong to you."

"Oh is that so?"

His hand slipped from mine and he gripped my wrist, squeezing it hard like he had done the previous night. Sounds of pain escaped from my lips, my wrist obviously still tender.

"I can do more than that. So tell me again, what did you say?"

"Nothing. I didn't say anything."

"I thought so."

He let go of my wrist and took my hand again. My wrist felt numb from the pain. I looked down at it and the red marks matched the shape of his fingers. I felt a few tears well up in my eyes but I sniffed them back.

Inside the club it was full of drunken teenagers feeling each other up, something that had never appealed to me. Jamie kept dragging me until we reached the bar where he bought me a drink. He stared at me, waiting for me to drink it but I was scared that what I thought was going to happen, would happen if I did. His stare began to burn a hole in the side of my head so I took hold of the glass and took a sip.

"Good girl, you drink up." he muttered in my ear, my skin crawling at every syllable.

He carried on buying me drinks and just to keep his voice from sounding I carried on drinking them.

"Jamie, I'm just going to the toilet."

"You're not going anywhere."

"Jamie, I need to go to the toilet."

"No. You ran off last night. You're staying where I can see you."

"Jamie-"

"No!"

Heads turned at his raised voice. I jumped back in shock.

"Look. I will stand outside while you go."

"I won't run, please just let me go."

I watched as his hand darted towards my wrist again which I promptly moved.

"Ok, ok, you stand outside."

He smiled as I complied with his request. He remained glued to me until we got to the toilet door.

"Be quick. We've got somewhere else to go."

I nodded as I pushed open the door and went inside. I stood over the sink and looked at my reflection in the mirror.

"What is happening?" I asked myself. "What am I going to do?"

A loud knock startled me.

"Come on, Marlie. Hurry up."

His tone made me want to run away but I knew that it wasn't the answer. I had to go back to him. I opened the toilet door to find Jamie's tall frame towering me. His hand gripped mine and he dragged me towards the exit. I was dragged into a side street next to the club and was forced up against the wall of the adjacent building. Jamie pinned me to the wall with his body. His head leaned closer to mine but I turned my face from his.

"Don't be difficult." he spat.

I ignored his harsh words.

"Look at me. Now."

"No, Jamie, don't touch me, let me go."

"Getting feisty now are we? I like it."

His head moved closer again but before he could touch me my palm made contact with his cheek. It took him by surprise as much as it did me.

"Right, well. I can see its gonna take a bit of persuasion."

Both my wrists were snatched from my sides. He gripped harder than he had before. Tears instantly fell, the pain shooting up my entire arm. When I still didn't surrender to him he threw me to the side. I fell straight to the floor, my head hitting the hard cobbles. Jamie wasn't just annoyed, he was furious. He stormed past me leaving me on the floor whimpering in pain.

"Fuck you, bitch." he growled.

I held my head in my hands as I cried from the pain flowing through my body. I looked at both of my wrists, bruises were already visible on the pair of them. I heard footsteps coming closer to where I was. They stopped once they reached the entrance. My heart raced as the footsteps got closer and closer to me. My stare remained fixed on the ground. I feared my heart was going to jump out of my chest it was beating so hard and fast. Two white converse appeared into view. I felt a hand on my shoulder making me jump away from it.

"It's ok, I just wanted to see if you were alright." said a deep voice.

I looked up and my eyes fell upon a tall frame. I raised my eyeline further and the gaze that met mine made butterflies erupt in my stomach. Harry. He reached out a hand to help me up which I refused.

"Marlie-"

I couldn't find any words to say. My eyes were searching his before they clouded again with tears.

"It's ok. Let me help you."

"You have to go, he can't see you with me."

"I'm not going anywhere until I know you're ok."

"I'm fine. Please, just go."

"Marlie-"

"No, Harry."

Harry's head turned to the side and his eyes widened. Jamie had come out. I knew he had. Harry then looked back to me and took hold of my hand.

"Come on." he whispered.

I walked fowards and that's when he pulled me. I heard a third pair of footsteps begin to run. Jamie. He was coming for me.