“Nick p-please, you’re hurting me.” I whimpered as my boyfriend dug his finger nails deeper into my wrists. He sneered down at me pushing his hips into mine. “Say my name baby.”
I whimpered as his teeth nipped the already tender skin on my neck. “Say my name!” His hand collided with my cheek sending me tumbling to the floor. “When I tell you to do something, you do it!” He boomed towering over me. I brought my hand up to my cheek wincing. Tears pooled in my eyes as I scrambled to increase the space between us.
He froze in his tracks as the door knob to my dorm turned. I wiped my tears and pushed myself onto my feet. Jamie, my roommate stood at the doorway staring at us. She pushed her blonde hair behind her ear exchanging awkward glances between Nick and I. Nick stormed out slamming the door. I exhaled as a wave of relief washed over me.
“I thought you said you broke up with him.”
“He… He won’t let me.” I mumbled rubbing my soar wrists. She sighed walking over to my bed and patting the spot next to her. She held my hands in hers as I joined her. “How about we go to a party tonight?” She asked with excitement. She perked up a little waiting for my response. “I don’t know. I mean what if Nick finds out, what if he’s there!?” That would be the last thing I wanted. He would accuse me of cheating and then “teach me a lesson”. I shuddered pushing the thought out of my brain. “He doesn’t control you! It's a Saturday night, come on it will be fun!” She added hopping off of my bed and walking over to her closet. “Fine, but when I want to go home we are going home.” I sigh. It’s not that I don’t like parties, I love them; but at the moment I’d rather curl up into a ball and lose myself in a sappy movie.
“Holy shit.” I mumble as we pull up to the frat house. Jamie giggles with eagerness and pulls me towards the massive house.
The music is so loud I can feel it go through me. Somebody hands us drinks and without thinking I toss my head back swallowing the vile liquid.
After a couple more drinks, my vision blurs as a wave of nausea washes over me. “I need some fresh air.” I tell Jamie.
The backyard was nicer than I imagined it being for a frat house. Lights trailed around the fence and a large pool took up half of the space. People were scattered in the pool and wherever else they could get comfy. I spotted an unoccupied gazebo in the far corner that would be a good place to clear my mind. As I walk along the edge of the pull somebody places a hand on my shoulder turning me around.
“Baby, please forgive me. I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I won’t let it get that bad again” Nicks apology sounds sincere but I know what will happen if I forgive him. I back away letting his hand drop to his side. “Cassidy, please. I need you.” He croaks. I take another step back shaking my head. “I love you.” He takes one stride toward me reaching for my wrists. I pull myself back away from him but the ground has disappeared underneath me. A shriek escapes my lips as I fall backwards into the pool.
A pair of strong arms wrap around my waist pulling me back to the surface. I cough letting air back into my lungs. When I wipe the water from my eyes I expect to see Nick, but instead I see a boy with dazzling green eyes. “Are you okay?” His eyes search my face for an answer. I nodded looking around trying to spot Nick but he was nowhere to be seen.
I turn my eyes back to him searching for words. His grip still holds me tight against him and I find it strangely comforting.
Before I could thank him, he hopped out of the pool and strode away disappearing into the house. I frowned realizing I don’t even know his name or who he is. I follow his trail of shoe prints into the house hoping to find Jamie; I was ready to go home.
