Can't Help But Stay

Prolouge: Don't Say You Love Me

"Bells! Wait! Bells, I swear it isn't what it looks like!"

I barely registered the voice as I focus on putting one foot in front of the other without landing on my face. The cold autumn air lashed at my bare arms and I staggered forward, barely avoiding a large oak tree in front of me.

'Move,' I plead to my feet. I probably look like a manic right now. Staggering like a drunk, eyes brimmed with red, tear streaks rushing down my cheeks and my hair flying in every direction. I realize, however, that I can't bring myself to care.

Mindlessly, I shoved a couple of the ketchup colored strands behind my ear, sniffling a little. A hand planted itself down on my shoulders and I almost shriek as the memories bombarded me.

He said he never liked blonde girls. Not because of the stereotype that blondes were stupid. He said it was because it was pretty ironic. He was blonde as well but to him, it was pretty boring for two of the same colors to be mixed together. Most of what he said had to do with colors. The color side effect of being an artist, is what I used to call it.

Anyway, he had his hands all over her. I might've considered being a little less enraged if it had been her pinning him to the wall. Just my luck though, it was her pinned to the wall by him and instead of trying to push her away, he was drawing her closer.

"Having fun?" I had called. The bitter edge to my voice, surprised even me. I swallowed down, the rising bile in my throat.

He spun around to face me, gently dropping the pretty blonde back to her feet. His silver eyes widened when he say me, and I searched them for any trace of remorse.

Of course I should've known. There wouldn't be any guilt no matter, how hard I searched.

"Bells, I swear to you-" His voice cut off my trail of thoughts and I glared down at the hand on my shoulder.

"Get off me."

Bewildered and a bit annoyed, he gripped my shoulder tighter. "Bells, are you listening-" I resisted the urge to struggle and fight, but not the urge to scream.

"Travis get your damn hand off me or it won't be there in a couple of minutes!" I yelled. Taken aback, he removed his hand and I felt like I could breathe properly.

"Bells, I'm really sorry," he sighed, running his hand through his blonde hair.

I scoffed, not turning to him. "Sorry for doing it or sorry that I found out?" He bit his lip, confining it between his teeth. I've known him long enough to recognize that he was aggravated.

"I didn't mean to do it Bells! It just...happened," he tried to explain.

I shook my head. "Stuff like that doesn't 'just happen' Travis." He reached for me again, already opening his mouth. I stepped back so that he couldn't reach me, staring at the hand in abhorring. "And stop call me Bells. My name is Liberty."

He groaned in annoyance when he failed to touch me again. "Liberty Bell-"

"It's Liberty! Do I have to spell it out for you? L-I-B-E-R-T-Y!" I screamed, tossing my hands up in the air.

He glanced around, most likely hopping no one witnessed my outburst; he always had hated the spotlight. Unfortunately for me, the park I ran to had been deserted. It was identical to something out of a stupid horror movie.

No one could hear me scream.

"Liberty, I've really like her for a while and I was going to tell you but the time was never right," he examined the newly fascinating ground.

"A while?" I laughed bitterly. "A while. How long is while Travis? Huh, how long is a while?" He winced, not expecting me to argue with him. To be honest, even I was startled that I had such backbone. I had never stated any disagreement with Travis before. Nonetheless, he had claimed plenty of things that I've said as wrong.

"Liberty, you're being ostentatious," he mumbled. I gritted my teeth together, a muscle in my jaw jumping.

"How long is a while," I repeated, this time more of a demand then a question. He exhaled, as if his answer would pain him more than it would pain me. For someone who hated the spotlight, he was an amazing actor.

"3 years," he admitted. I was tempted to cup my hand around my ear, pretending that I hadn't caught what he said, but I heard him loud and clear. If it had been anyone else, I probably would've congratulated them for keeping a crush for that long. My body stood frozen to the pavement, watching through blurry eyes as he plopped down onto the grass.

"3...3 years," I choked out. Travis nodded, in glum agreement. "We have...we have..."

"We've been dating for 3 years." Travis supplied, matter-of-factly.

I think my body gained control sooner than I did. The sound of a flesh hitting flesh, rang throughout the whole park. I was almost sad that no one was there to witness it. It could've made the Guinness Book of World Records for loudest slap. Travis brought his palm up to the red imprint on his face, his gray eyes cold and hard.

"I don't think I deserved that," he growled. For the first time since 'dad' died, I found myself staring in danger's face once again. Instead of being afraid like last time, I move forward, about arm's distance.

"You did deserve that, you bastard," I hissed. Suddenly, he grinned, hooking his fingers into the pockets of my hoodie. Burrowing his face in my neck, every breath hitting the bare skin of my neck. I would normally feel excitement and joy when he did this little trick of his, but I alternately felt repulsed. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I brought my knee up and he staggered back, clutching his private.

"Pay attention because I'm only going to say this once," I instructed, feeling like crying. I nearly snorted at the thought. I wouldn't be the first time I started crying over nothing. "You will never come in contact with me, never call me, don't even think about me. We are over. Furthermore, if you so much as lay a single finger on me ever again, I will end your life. I promise you that." I turned on my heel, marching off on the trail back home.

"You say that now," Travis called, recovered but didn't try to come near me again, "but you and I both know, that you need me." Stopping, I peek back at him and finally, feel nothing but hate for the blonde haired, blue gray eyed boy.

"I didn't think that you were this stupid. Nevertheless, you all are like this, aren't you?"

Hola to all who read this story! I've put a lot of thought into this story and I hope you all take the time to read it! I would really appreciate if you all read it but this is mainly dedicated to the author of an amazing book, "Forever Now", caly101! We're in this together girl!

Please, please, please, read comment & vote! I'll be sure to publish the first chapter, very soon!

Love, Just_Jaynine