Restoring Eternity

Chapter 5

Austin’s POV

“Scott Lane. He was my boyfriend for a year and two months when I was sixteen and he was eighteen. He was everything I’d ever wanted in a guy. Sweet, charming, funny, adorable, romantic. He treated me like I was everything to him.”

           She took a deep breath, obviously pained by the memories.

           “We’d been dating for six months. One day, he just got more jealous and hostile. I couldn’t hang out with my family, or Riley, or anyone. Just him. He’d labeled me as ‘his.’ Even when I wanted to be in my room alone or stay after school to finish tests that I’d failed because instead of studying I was with him, he’d get jealous and assume I was cheating.”

            “He started hurting me. At first it was slaps and pinches. Then he’d punch me, kick me, throw things at me, whatever he could to- to make me cry. And once I started crying, it was like he snapped out of it. He’d apologize and be so sweet and I always went back to him.”

            She glanced at me and then looked quickly away, continuing. My blood was staring to boil.

            “My family noticed. Begged me to stay away from him. But I couldn’t. He was like a drug. Like a magnet. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I broke up with him. He was furious, but stayed away for a few months. I was walking home by myself one day and out of nowhere he just came and…he raped me. I was hurting for days. He was supposed to be in jail for two years and he got out early for good behavior four days ago.” She whispered the last part, and that set me off.

            “Fuck!” I yelled, standing up and walking out of the house and slamming the door behind me. I stood at the back patio, kicking one of the poles on the house.

            Drew had run out behind me. “Austin-“

            “He didn’t have the fucking right!” I yelled. “I’ll fucking kill him. You’re too fucking beautiful and sweet to fucking have someone treat you like that! It’s not fucking right! Shit!” I kicked the pole again, then turned to face Drew, I reached out to touch her and she backed away.

            “I- I’m gonna go put our p-plates up,” she stammered nervously. “You can c-come back in when you’re c-calm, okay?”

            “Drew-“ I tried to apologize, but she ran back in the house. “Shit!” I hissed again. I saw the scared look in her eyes. They were huge. I’d scared her. It was like a relapse of the same things she’d went through with Scott, and I wasn’t helping her ease the pain. I turned my phone back on. 87 missed messages, mostly from my publicist, Hannah, and other people.

            I called Hannah back and skillfully avoided all her questions about where I’d been all day. After taking a few deep breaths, I went back into the house. Drew wasn’t in the living room or the kitchen, so I walked down a little hallway that led from the living room. I could see light under the second door on the left, which I guessed was Drew’s room.

            I lifted my hand to knock, but she opened the door and came out, shutting it quickly behind her. When she realized how close we were she backed up, tucking strand of hair behind her ear and avoiding my eyes.

            “Drew, I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to say that shit, I was so angry that someone did that to you. I have a temper, I know. I’m working on it.”

            “That’s what Scott said,” Drew replied quietly, her head down.

            “Drew-“

            “Austin, I think you should leave, okay?”

            “I have to go to a meeting with my publicist. I came to say bye.” I took her hands in mine. “Can I see you again? Tomorrow?” She looked hesitant. “Drew, I know I screwed up. I’m so sorry. I honestly didn’t mean to make you upset in any way. You’re just so perfect. I had so much fun today and I want to have even more with you.”

            I saw a hint of a smile flickering at her lips even before she smiled. “Okay,” she said. “I have college in the morning though. I’ll be finished around two thirty.”

            “Great,” I said, then took her face and kissed her gently on the cheek. “Bye, Drew.”

                                                                        ~ ~ ~

He kissed my motherfucking cheek! KISSED it. I’m dying. I’m freaking. I’m-

“Bye, Austin,” I said calmly, waving. He walked out of the house and got in his car. I watched him back out the driveway and go slowly down the road.

            I sank down against the wall with a dreamy, goofy look on my face. I snapped out of my reverie when my phone rang. Blocked number? I answered it.

            “Hello? Who’s calling?”

            “You’re gonna fucking pay, bitch.”

            “Who the fuck is this?” I demanded.

            “You think you can steal Austin from me? Forget it. I’m coming after you, you fucking bitch. Be ready. This isn’t over.” Before I could answer, the phone went dead.

            Gielle. I rolled my eyes. Who else. That bitch needs to get a grip on reality. Austin’s moved on, and she should too. Jesus.