Starting Over// M.E

Chapter Four: Nightmares

"Get back here, Janelle." He screams flinging me down the stairs.

     I could feel the sharp pain radiating throughout my leg. Then all of a sudden, someone takes a swing at my face. It doesn't stop. Blow after blow. And I don't fight back. I felt blood pouring from my nose, and the room was starting to become fuzzy. I felt someone shove their hand up my shirt. I start to fight back.

     "Let me go!" I scream.

     "Shut up." William spits, slapping me in the face.

     "Someone-"

     I felt myself being shaken awake. I look around in the darkness trying to find someone, anyone.

     "Janelle?" I hear Matthew murmur.

     I reach my hands out, trying to find him. Honestly, all I wanted right now was company. I don't care if I'm supposed to be mad at him. That was the worst nightmare I've had this week. My hands come in contact with Matthew's chest and I pull him onto the bed just wanting him to hug me. Hesitantly, he wraps his arms around my small frame and for a moment, I actually feel safe.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Matthew asks softly.

I shake my head before the sobs start to take over my body again.

Matthew rocks us back and forth. "Sshh." He coos. "I'm not gonna let anything happen."

     Suddenly, I feel my breath hitch in my throat. I pull away from Matthew and scoot to the opposite side of my bed, despite the pain in my leg. He's gonna hurt me. I woke him up. I stare at him in fear.

     "Come on." He coos with his hands up in a surrendering way. "I won't hurt you. I promise."

     I let out a cry of both pain from my leg and fear. After that, Matthew had no mercy. He carefully grabbed me and sat me in his lap. My lower lip trembles.

     "You're not gonna-"

     "No, Janelle." He cuts me off.

     Matthew and I just stay in the same position until my sobs quiet down.

     I feel Matthew sweep some of my stray hair behind my ear. "You better?" He whispers in my ear.

     I nod against his shoulder and he rubs my back soothingly.

     "I'm sorry for waking you up." I shiver.

     Matthew sighs. "Don't apologize, princess. It's not your fault."

     I blush at his nickname. "I'm not a princess, and it is my fault. I woke you by screaming and-"

     I'm cut off by a pair of lips. I freeze. The kiss is soft and gentle and doesn't go past more than a peck. When Matthew pulls away I stare at him horrified.

     "Get out." I breathe, moving away from Matthew.

     Matthew looks at me with guilt written all over his face. "Janelle-"

     I cut him off. "Just please get out of my room." I cry, wiping away my tears.

     Without a word, Matthew walks out of my room. I just sit there. I couldn't even move. He shouldn't have kissed me. William's going to kill me. It's bad enough I told Matthew what happened. Now I completely went against William's orders.

     "You better not kiss another guy after what I'm about to do to you." William hisses in my ear. "If you do and I find out, you won't live to see another year." He threatens.