The Quiet One

Chapter 12: Collin

I woke up at 3:00 and went to the kitchen to get some cereal, I was starving. I was taking out a bowl when I heard a scream from upstairs. I ran up the stairs to my room and found Elizabeth shaking and crying. Her eyes were barely open. I looked at the window and then slowly walked over to her.
"What's happened! What's wrong?" I asked her.
"He..He..was right there." she stuttered holding the basketball shorts I'd given her close to her skin.

"It's going to be okay. It was just a bad dream. I won't let anybody hurt you." I whispered.
I laid her down and stayed with her until she went back to sleep.

Then next time I woke up it was 10 o'clock. I realized there was a pillow under my arms instead of Elizabeth. I got up and looked around. Her shoes were gone. I really wished she'd let me take her home. Or at least woke me up. I got up and my mother was down stairs making eggs.
"Hey sweetheart" she said putting bacon into a pan.

"Hey mom, I think I'm going to hang out with Asher today so you don't have to stay home."

"Okay, good because Allison and I were planning to get our nails done," she said smiling.

I shook my head and started towards the bathroom. I took a shower and put on a pair of grey sweatpants and a blue tank top. I grabbed my sweater and phone and headed out. On my way out I checked to see if Elizabeth had texted or called me, but she didn't.

I stopped in front of her house and texted her asking if she was home. She didn't answer right away but then I saw a curtain open and then close quickly. She texted me back.

Elizabeth: You can't be here please leave!

I answered slowly being careful about what I was going to say.

Collin: Why not? I need to talk to you. Why'd you rushed off like that without letting me know you were leaving?

She didn't answer fast enough and I started walking up to her door. I knocked and then I heard running to the door. But, then I heard a yell, it was a male's voices saying something about "calm down" and " who the hell.."

The door opened and I was face-to-face with a man who was extremely drunk or who had a bad hangover. He stared back at me with confusion and then I saw Elizabeth rush behind him and look scared.

" It's for me. Thank you for opening the door, Frank," she whispered.
I felt my body stiffen. Was this the Frank that had been hurting her? Did he live with her? Why?

"Why the fuck do you have this kid on my steps at 11:00 in the morning?!" he said turning around to face her.

"I'm sorry Frank. Please forgive me. It won't happen again please." she said not making eye contact with him.

He grabbed her wrist and whispered something in her ear. I looked as all the color drained from her face. I walked into the house released her wrist from his grip and guided her upstairs. She didn't speak. I guided her into her room and closed and locked the door behind me.

"Who the fuck is that?" I asked.
"That's my stepfather Frank," she said not making eye contact.
" Is he that guy--" I trailed off when I saw the bruise he left on her wrist.
"Why did you leave?"
"I had to get home," she said looking at her knees.
"Will you look at me?" I said quietly.
"No. I didn't want you to see what I go through! That's why I said you couldn't come in! Are you happy now?" she finally looked in my face and I saw tears streaming down her face. I wiped them away and leaned forward.
"No Collin, he'll kill you if he catches us in here," she said touching my cheek.

" I locked the door" I said into her neck.
" He has a key," she said trying to pry my fingers off her waist.
"I don't care. Let him watch." I said applying kisses to her collar bone.
I then felt her body stiffen under me. She started shaking and got up. I didn't want to leave but she obviously didn't want me here. I grabbed my sweater and was about to turn for the door when she grabbed my shoulders and kissed me. It was a good kiss. Like the ones, you wanted to last forever. She pulled away. I smiled and touched her forehead and there I went.

******
After I left Elizabeth's house I  didn't want to go home so I went over to Asher's place. While playing video games I debated whether or not I should tell him that I didn't want to do the bet anymore. Would he understand? I decided not to at the end. And if I did tell him I'd want Calvin here too so I could get it off my chest all at once. Instead we just played more video games and watched Sons of Anarchy on Netflix. Every two minutes he'd look down at his phone and texted someone back smiling. It was obviously Teresa. I told him I'd leave so he could go see her. I left not really knowing where I was going to go. I got into my car and decided to go to this diner a few blocks away from my school to have some lunch. I walked inside and instantly the smell of French Fries hit my nose. I then realized how hungry I was. I sat down at an empty booth and debated what I should order. I ordered a burger with cheese fries and a chocolate milkshake. When my food arrived I ate quietly. I debated whether to text Elizabeth. I really wanted to talk to her but she seemed distant. I also didn't feel safe with leaving her there with that step-father of her's. I swallowed my pride and texted her. 

Collin: Hey, wyd?

She didn't right away but I didn't expect her to. When she finally did a smile wept across my face.

Elizabeth: Hi, just watching some TV. How bout you?

Collin: Eating at this diner. Do you want anything? I could bring you a milkshake.

Elizabeth: You don't have to but since your so fixed on seeing me today. lol

Collin: What can I say I love me some Eli Eli.

Elizabeth: If you ever call me that again I'll kill you and give away your organs. By the way a chocolate milkshake please. But I want to get out of the house. Just send me the directions and I'll come. xxx

Collin: Okay, I'll order you one when you get close. 

I sent her the directions and waited for her to come. She called me and told me she close so I ordered her milkshake. I didn't notice when she walked in but, when she started to walk over to my booth I swear she was the only thing I could see. She smiled and sat down. 

"Hey ugly" she said sliding in across from me.

"Hey beautiful" I said staring at the table in between us.

I could've sworn I saw her blush. "Why are you here?" she asked.

"I was hungry and I heard this place has mean milkshakes," I said.

"Well I'll be the judge of that," she said.

We sat there as she drunk her milkshake. We talked and laughed a lot. When she was done I told her to come over and we'd watched a movie. 

When I walked in the house all the lights were off and that meant mom wasn't home. I guided her to the living room and sat her down on the couch. She took the remote and started going through the movies. She picked Man Of Steel. I actually liked this movie. It was later after that movie ended I started to watch Malcolm in the Middle. come to find out she loved that show too. Soon she was sleeping and the clock said 7:30. I carried her to my room and then I started on homework. I was sitting at the desk and she was in my bed. I put covers on her. Then I started on calculus. Soon I started yawning and next thing you know I was drifting off to sleep. But before I was asleep I thought about Elizabeth's smile. She was beautiful and I loved to make her happy. I had to call off the bet now. I didn't want to hurt and so I was going to wake up and text Calvin right away. 

Hey! I'm so sorry that it has taken me so long to update. Things over here have been very hectic. I really hope you enjoy this chapter. How do you think Calvin will react to Collin backing out? Will Elizabeth let him in and forget about Frank. Or will she tell her other? Please comment if you want. Vote and stay tuned for chapter 13...