Locked In Love

Chapter 1

It felt like I had been running for hours, I could barely see or breathe. My tears had dried my eyes out, and I was panting worse than a dog. For a second I forgot what I was running from. The feeling of stupidity washed over me.

What are you doing Hailey? What is wrong with you?

I was in the park about miles from my house when I started to slow down. Suddenly, instead of tasting the salty tears gushing down my face, I had a mouthful of grass and dirt. Realizing that I tripped on a root and fell harshly to the ground, I felt a sharp pain in my arm. I must've accidentally hit my arm on a tree. I rubbed the area that hurt I looked down to my forearm, not expecting a bruise. After a second, my eyes adjusted to the dark of the night and I noticed the bruise on my arm was in the shape of a hand. It dawned on me and I remembered why I had run, why I ended up here. I was running from my boyfriend.

The tears came again, harder than they were before. I let my sobs out, knowing no one would hear me. It was dark out and I already knew it was almost 12 a.m. Once the tears subsided enough for me to regain just the amount of strength it took to stumble over to a bench at the side of a pond I pushed myself off the dirt. I looked over the pond, feelings of helplessness rushed through me. No one could know. God knows what Mason would do to me next.

Mason

The name filled my body with pain. His angry face flashed before my eyes. He wasn't like this in the beginning.

---

It was tenth grade when Mason moved here from Texas. Word around the school was that he was bullied but I studied him, not understanding why. He was handsome, funny, tall, had blonde hair and green eyes. He was the epitome of the popular badass. At first, I didn't like him, but that is just how I am; stubborn. He tried all he could to warm me up to him, made conversation, and helped all he could. Mason constantly tried to get me to go out with him. I just pushed him away, more and more.

But, then one day he showed up at my house with a back pack. Mason threatened to never leave until I finally went on a date with him. The proposal wasn't something I would expect from my dream Casanova. I said I would, shooting him a glare while trying to hold down a smile at the huge grin plastered on his face. In less than a second you could see how much he brightened up. And to be honest, I still can't understand why he chose me. Why did he want me? Why didn't he give up after the third time I denied him a date?

"I knew you would give in sooner or later, Hailey! Be ready tomorrow by 7, and dress nice!" He beamed at me and I couldn't help but let a little smile show through my hard look. When Mason turned around to leave, I watched his back as he reached down to grab his bag. With one last glance, Mason looked behind him to glance up to my balcony. I could see the excitement in his eyes.

I could say Mason was the best boyfriend. He was the sweetest thing that I had ever met. And for the beginning of our relationship, I couldn’t ask for anything more. Mason brought me places, he bought me things, and he did everything a girl wishes for in a boyfriend. Sadly, I was completely blindsided when it all started rocketing downhill.

---

Mason had his little temper tantrums here and there. I never thought too much of them. They were cute, after all. But with every tantrum, they became more common, and more dangerous. Then he started hitting me.

I remember the first time he did it. It was our 3 month anniversary. I woke up that morning with a smile glued to my face, excited to spend the day with him. He brought me home, cooked for me, we exchanged presents. It was fun, at first. The joy from the day completely vanished when his father arrived home. As I sat in Mason’s room I hear yelling from downstairs. I didn’t think anything of it, I was used to the occasional fights Mason and his father shared. What I could make from the fight was that Mason never told his dad that I was coming over.

I waited for half an hour, staring down at the charm bracelet I just received from my seemingly perfect boyfriend. Hailey and Mason forever was engraved on a heart shaped charm that dangled elegantly from the bracelet. A small laugh escaped my lips as I took in how cheesy Mason was.

Once Mason finally stormed upstairs, he slammed the door shut behind him. Glaring at me, he rushed over and slapped me.

"The HELL was that for!?" I cupped my cheek. He growled, walking over the bed on which I landed and pushed me back. I could feel tears stinging my eyes, who was this guy? Where was MY Mason?!

"You bitch!" he pounded the wall, glaring back at me as I sat there in terror looking at the fresh dent in the wall. "You are a horrible person Hailey, you know that!?" He screamed, pinning me to the wall, slapping me again, kneeing my stomach. I felt helpless and terrified in front of Mason’s dead eyes. "Get out. GET OUT!" He threw me to the door like I was a ball.

~~

That’s how it all started. That is how I end up here, on this bench at midnight. This isn't the first time this has happened either. I have dated Mason for 2 and a half years now. It is the week before senior year, and I haven't left him. Maybe it is my love for him? The nice him.. Or maybe I am just too afraid.. What would I say to my friends when they found out I dropped him? To everyone else Mason and I seemed like the perfect couple.

My heart clenched. No one knows what has been happening. My parents, my friends, my classmates… Hell, im not even sure Mason knows what has been going on. Everyone just seems him as sweet and kind and loving. No one would believe me if I ever told them what he really is.

A monster.