Emma sat on the bench near the football field. It was nearly midnight and it was a little bit cold. But she was in pain. Not physically but emotionally.
Today was the date of the death of her parents. They died when she was four.
Nobody knew about that but her best friend Ruby and Killian. She didn't knew if she could count him as a friend.
She had a crush on him but she didn't knew if he had the same feelings as her.
He had these wonderful blue eyes and this happy laugh. Her emotions were a mess when he was near her. She is always nervous around him and doesn't want to say anything stupid. When he held her hand for the first time, it was like electricity shot through her body.
And now silent tears rolled slowly down her face. Her white blouse slipped off one of her shoulder and she wore dark blue jeans and her boots.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and tensed. She looked up and saw Killian.
He was worried and sat beside her.
"Hey, what's wrong?" She tried to hide her tears but he took her chin and forced her to look at him.
"Just remembered something about my parents but it's not important." She didn't want him to think that she cried over everything.
"You can tell me. I can see it's important." He could look through her.
She didn't know why but she trusted him completly. He knew her fears. He always listened to her.
"Today is the day when my parents died twelve years ago. And I still can't get over it. I'm sorry." New tears rolled down her cheeks but she tried to hold them back. He wiped them away softly with his thumb. She looked up and got lost in his eyes. His face was suddenly so close to her but in a way she liked it.
He carresed her cheek and smiled.
"You don't have to be sorry. It is normal that you are griving. They were your parents. I don't know how I would react if my parents would die." He was so gentle with her. She felt safe with him. He looked at her with comfort.
She just smiled and they stared at aech other. But then they leaned slowly in and stopped just before their lips touched. She looked at his lips and then in his eyes. He cupped her cheeks and connected their lips.
It was a soft and slow kiss. One of her hands was at the nape of his neck and the other lay on his shoulder. His hands slid down her back and stopped there. He pulled her gently closer to him. After a few minutes they pulled slowly away and their foreheads touched. Emma looked down and bit her lip. They were still close and Emma felt safe in his arms. She looked back up at him and he smiled gently at her.
She smiled back and a tear slipped down her face. He quickly wiped it away." What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. I'm just happy. I guess." He chuckled quietly and stroked her back." Do your foster parents know you're here?" Oh no, they didn't and that meant trouble. She shook her head and was quiet. Killian noticed it and his hand slid from her back to her arm and Emma winced. He frowned." What is it? Did I hurt you?"
She was scared. She didn't want to tell him. If he knows he will get into trouble. She didn't want that.
"No, it's nothing really." But he didn't believe her. He rolled her sleeve up and looked at a red bruise.
"What happened?" He didn't noticed this. And she didn't show any signes that she was in pain. She looked down and bit her lip. He lifted her chin up and looked her in the eyes.
"You can tell me." She swallowed and he tightened his grip around her back.
"My foster dad.", she whispered. Killian tensed up." What did he do?", please, no. He could tell it was hard for her so he kissed her forehead and stroked her cheek." He slapped me because I had a bad grade. And he.... he does that sometimes." She tighened her grip on his shoulders." Did he do something else?" He hoped not.
She looked at him and shook her head.
"My foster mom just stood on the side and watched. She didn't do anything."
She was so strong. He hugged her and stroked her hair.
"Do you want to go home with me tonight? My parents won't mind."
She would but her parents.....
That wouldn't end well.
"My parents would worry and I would get trouble. And you too. I will be fine.
Don't worry." He still wasn't convinced but let her." Just please be careful. And tell me if he does something to you. Okay?" She nodded and they got up.
He walked her home and they stopped in front of her house. He kissed her one last time and he felt her relax.
"I will pick you up tomorrow." She smiled and went inside. He didn't have a good feeling all night.
The next morning he got ready for school and thought of Emma. He hoped she was okay. When he got to her house he walked to the door and knocked. Emma's foster mom opened the door and smiled weakly. He smiled back but knew something was off. Something happened. After a moment Emma came through the door and said a quick goodbye to her parents and he saw her father stand in the room and looking at him. They walked for a few minutes until he was sure her dad couldn't watch them anymore.
He stopped walking and looked in her eyes." Emma, are you alright?" She looked down and pulled up her shirt.
There was a red, purple bruise on her stomach. He was shocked and walked them to his house. He brought them inside and kneelt in front of her. He touched the bruise and she flinched a little." Tell me what happened." He walked her over to the couch and lay her down. "He knew I was out last night. And he knows about you. He knows that I told you about the bruise."
He brought a cream from the kitchen and sat beside her." Can I?" She looked at him and nodded. He carefully spread the cream on her stomach. When he was done he lay the cream on the table and looked back at her.
"You need to tell the police, Emma. He will continue to hurt you." His heart broke as he looked at the hand on her stomach." I'm scared." A tear rolled down her cheek and he caught it with his thumb." I could come with you, if you like. And my parents. When they come home from work." She nodded and cupped his cheek. He leaned down and kissed her softly.
After his parents came home, Killian explained the situation to them. They understood and wanted to help.
"Of course we want to help." Emma told them she had to go home and would tell them she would go out with Killian and then they would go to the police.
Killian and Emma stood in front of the door and he gave her a reassuring smile. She opened the door and heard someone screaming."Emma!" No, her foster dad. He came into the room and looked angry." You told him! You fucking told him! I know you did! Don't lie to me! And you!", he pointed to Killian." If you weren't here this wouldn't even happen!" He raised his hand and wanted to slap Killian but Emma moved quickly in front of him.
"No, please wai-", a lout noise was heard and then it was quiet. Emma held her cheek and tears formed in her eyes. Her foster father looked shocked and looked at his hand." Emma..."
Killian turned her around slowly and moved his hand gently under hers that lay on her cheek. She flinched as he touched the bruise but then lay her hand on top of his.
Killian's parents ran into the house and looked at Emma and Killian. Killian's father moved to hers and blocked his way. He wouldn't get to them.
"No, Emma, I didn't want that. You will stay with me. They won't take you from me." He tried to get to Emma but Killian's father blocked him. Killian brought her quickly to his house and sat her on the couch. He brought her a cold cloth and she held it against her cheek. She let the tears flow and he hugged her." It's over Emma. We did it." She nodded and smiled through her tears. They heard the police and she stayed in his arms. Safe.
Now she was safe.
