Across the Hall; s.m *ON HOLD*

t.h.r.e.e

*WARNING TRIGGER WARNING VOILENCE TRIGGER*

Yvette:

   I smiled lightly as the fresh smell of cury filled the air. It smelled sweet with a time bit of spice that just barely burnt your nose. Cury chicken, one of my favorite meals to make. Besides Romen noodles of course. Cooking has always been a talent of mine, that what I was supposed to be doing in college right now.

But I'm...taking a break.

My dreams can wait for a while. My main priority right now was Nick. I needed to keep him happy and fulfilled, no matter what it takes. Even if that means putting my plans at halt for a moment.

I still cook, only for Nick and I, though. I make us breakfast, lunch for just myself, and dinner depending on the night. It helped me take my mind off some things.

Like the fact that I had made the worst mistake I could ever make today; I went downstairs and got the mail.

If there's anything Nick hated more than me talking back to him was me ruining his daily routine. It was the same thing everyday; wake up, eat, work, come home, get mail, eat, sleep. And if you even ruined that in the slightest, he would flip out. I guess you could say he was a perfectionist.

I knew I shouldn't have gotten the mail, I knew it. But I thought that a letter from my mom might've came today. She was old fashioned, really only contacted through the mail. While, my dad, in the other hand, he was all into the new tech. It's actually pretty funny.

"Yvette," an all too familiar voice shouted causing me to flinch. He was home, he's back, and he's angry. I heard the door slam shut behind him.

"I'm in the kitchen, dear," I tried sounding as innocent as possible. He liked the innocent, the people who listen to him and only him. I heard his briefcase drop in the door way and turned to face his cold face. I gulped putting on a small smile.

He only stared, obviously still angry, and clenched his fists at his side. There was no getting out of this one.

"What did I tell you about getting the mail?" His voice was surprisingly calm, only making me more scared. I bit the inside of my cheek while stepping back from him. He only stepped forward.

"I..." fear consumed my voice, not letting it escape my throat.

Nick looked down at the ground. I saw a few veins in his neck stick out. I felt it once again, the tears in my eyes.

"I told you to never get the mail!" He shouted. "What don't you understand about that!" Before I could react, I saw his fist collide with my eye. I felt it also. The pain radiated through my head and I couldn't open my left eye.

I fell to the ground from the force of the impact, the cold ground feeling even worse. I felt a hand roughly grab my upper arm, shoving me up against the cabinets. I looked at him through my right eye. My stomach twisted up and I could feel his nails dig into my skin.

"You're such a whore, you talked to Shawn, too?" He knew the answer and I was too scared to answer. I felt the palm of his hand his hardly against my cheek. It was a searing pain that I felt too many times.

"I - I'm sorry." I said through tears finding my voice. Just like every other time.

"You better be, bitch. I swear, if you leave this house again without my permission, I will kill you." He released me and I fell to the floor.

It was at that moment that I realized that I had hit rock bottom.

I knew he would kill me, there wasn't a doubt in my mind.

He would slit my neck, beat me, I don't even know. But I do know that he would find a way to end it.

"Is dinner ready?" His voice changed back to his normal voice. The voice I once fell in love with. I scrambled to get back on my feet.

"A - almost." My voice came out hoarse and bare. I gulped and turned back around. "I mean, it will be ready in a few minutes."

He hated it when I sounded scared.

"Good, I'm gonna go changed."  He walked towards me. "Babe," I flinched as he lifted his hand. I waited for the impact but only felt a soft hand on my cheek. I peeked open my eyes to see that he was cupping my cheek. "You know, I love you." He pressed a lingering kiss on my temple.

"I...love you, too."

He smiled while walking out of the kitchen. Once he left, I reached into the cabinet and grabbed the small white container. I heard the small rattle of the pills inside as I opened it. I pulled out two and swallowed them raw.

It always helped with the headaches.

I gently pressed my fingers to my left eye. I hissed in pain as it stung. A sigh fell from my lips as I went back to stirring the chicken on the pan.

I let my thoughts wonder.

Shawn, I thought a small smile gracing my lips, but soon turned to a frown. I can't leave this place, I'll never see him again.

I wanted to cry. Not just over Shawn but over everything. Over Nick, the bills, and the pain.

I really did.

But Nick hates it when I cry.

-----'-

This chapter was completely bull.

Sorry for the late update. Had a looooooooooooooong weekend.

Love you guys.

-Mia