Stolen

The Choice

I woke up with Rose barking.
"Shut that damn mutt up." Eli groaned.
I got up and took her out of her cage and let her run around and play for a little bit before putting her back in her cage.
"Your welcome." I said annoyed.
"Whatever." Eli said. He paused for a minute. "Where the hell did you go last night?" He asked.
I looked at him, speechless.
"Don't play coy with me. I know you snuck out of the room last night. Why?" He thought for a second and then shot up, "Who the fucking hell did you call!? I swear Brooklyn, if you called that stupid boyfriend of yours."
"I didn't! I couldn't sleep so I left to go to the kitchen! Is that a god damn crime!?" I said almost yelling.
He stood up fast. "It is here!" He glared at me and mumbled, "I swear if I could I so would."
"Would do what?"
"Slap you. Like my so called 'family' did to me whenever I broke the rules or whenever they so desired." Eli said, his face blank with his cold stare. His eyes were glossed over.
I snickered, "Yeah right. Like you would do such thing."
"Don't tempt me girl." He said between his teeth.
"Why? We both know that you are too wea-" I was stopped mid sentence, by a palm going across my face.
My hands went to my cheek, where his hand hit me.
I heard Eli breathing, heavily. His fists were clenched. He didn't say anything, he just left the room, slamming the door shut.
Tears rolled down my face. I never actually thought he would hit me. I mean sure, we never got along really, but not to the point of getting physical.
There was a knock at the door. I quickly wiped my cheeks, making sure I had hair covering where his palm once was.
"Everything okay? I heard yelling and then the sound of a door slamming. Is everything-" Anthony paused. "Brooklyn? Are you okay!? What happened?" Anthony said running over to me to look at my cheek.
When he touched my cheek I flinched, "I'm fine."
"You're clearly not fine!" Anthony said, looking at me.
"Get out. She said she's fine. Now leave. She isn't your assignment. She's mine. Now get lost." Eli said coming in.
"What the hell happ-"
"Get the fuck out!" Eli said interrupting him and kicking him out of his room.
Eli glared at me, "Stop crying."
I wiped my tears and didn't say anything. I knew it was particularly my fault. I tempted him.
After a while of sitting in silence the door swung open.
Justin stormed in, "Eli what the fuck were you thinking when you slapped Brooklyn!?" Justin yelled.
"Isn't my fault she tempted me." Eli said in a cool tone like he didn't do anything wrong.
"That isn't an excuse to slap your assignment!" Justin yelled.
Eli just rolled his eyes.
"Eli do you want to keep her as your assignment, or do you want to have her assigned to someone else?"
"I don't give a shit. Ask her." Eli said.
Justin looked at me, his eyes were kinder then they were just a moment ago. "Brooklyn, do you want to be assigned to someone else? Anthony has told me about all the conflicts and concerns between you and Eli."
All eyes were now on me. I froze once Justin asked me if I wanted to switch.
"Brooklyn. Do you want a new partner? Yes, or no?" Justin asked again.
I looked at Eli, then Justin, then back to Eli once more. My mind was made up. I knew what I wanted.
I looked back at Justin, my eyes full of certainty. I told him my answer.
"Are you sure about this?" Justin asked.
"Yeah. I'm sure." I said back, my voice strong, and full of confident.