secrets

fourteen

-SIMON-
______

A month ago, I had kept the napkin with Adele's number on it safely tucked away in a drawer. I don't know why I did. I thought about her every day, but it wasn't for the right reasons. In my heart, I just knew she wouldn't love me and I would get hurt in the end. And there was always a small bit of hope in me that if I stayed, Clary might change.

But just like every other time in my life, what I latch my hope onto always goes wrong. Maybe that's why I'm so in love and intrigued by Adele- she's been there, she shares that same feeling of failure. She understands what it's like to hold on to things until they literally shatter right in front of you. She knows the pain of it better than anyone.

She definitely doesn't deserve this much pain. She doesn't deserve to have to avoid mirrors when she gets dressed so she doesn't see the marks of someone's anger. She doesn't deserve to be an abuse victim. And she shouldn't have been put through the terror that she was forced through last night.

I didn't kiss her bruises, I didn't tell her I loved her, I didn't even kiss her goodnight, because she couldn't communicate. She was in shock, so I did the only thing I could, which was lay her down and hold her until she couldn't keep her eyes open anymore.

Why did it have to come to this?

______

"She WHAT?" Laura yelled in the middle of the parking lot. Some people stared, others didn't bat an eye.

I looked down at the wet concrete underneath my feet, wishing I didn't have to say yes. I nod. "It's the pathetic truth."

Tears of anger are in her eyes, and I can't relate to her more at the moment. "Why didn't she tell me?"

"She didn't even tell me."

"Yeah, well, no offense, but you only knew her for a few hours before you found out. I've known her for years." She looks dazed.

"That's true."

"How did you find out if she didn't tell you?"

"I was kissing her and when I touched her shoulder, she flinched. She told me she had fallen in her bathtub, but I didn't really believe her." I take a breath. "Then the next day, she leaned down to pick something up and her sweater got caught and slipped down her shoulder. She has a terrible hand-shaped bruise right on it."

Laura's eyes are burning with fury, and she runs a hand across her cheek to stop the trail of her tears. "Oh my gosh." She seemed just as frustrated and upset as I did when I found out, if not more, because Adele has been her best friend for so long. "I can't-how could-why would-" She can't form a sentence, she's that devastated. "How could anyone do that to her?" She finally manages.

I shake my head, not knowing the answer. There isn't an answer, nobody should hurt a beautiful soul like Adele's. I continue the story, including every detail about last night and the fact that Adele had been in shock until she fell asleep.

Laura gets angrier and more disturbed each minute. When I finish, I notice her fists are clinched. "He's in jail?" She asks.

"For good this time." I confirm.

"Man! And I didn't get a chance to give him a piece of my mind!" She paces back and forth impatiently.

I nod, noticing that own fists have clinched in distress. "Right now, I just need to get Adele back to her old self."

Laura sighs and leans against the driver door of her car. "Simon, the only thing that will get her back to her old self is being in love. Give her a good time, love her, do little things for her, be gentle and teach her that love is something you shouldn't be afraid of."

I nod, completely ready for do all of things for her. She needed to learn to trust and to love with her entire heart without fearing it would get broken. And I am more than willing to be her teacher.

"I'll be right over when I can to help her, but a man like you is exactly what she needs."

"Thank you." I manage a small smile. Adele has a wonderful friend in Laura.

We say our goodbyes and right before I get in my car, she says, "Hey, can I give you another tip? You didn't hear it from me, though."

Intrigued, I say, "I could use a tip."

"When you do choose to give her a good time, play with her hair and kiss her neck and collarbone. You'll win her over right away."

I let out a small laugh and say, "Thank you, Laura. I'll keep it in mind."

"You're welcome, Simon. And one more thing?"

I nod, inviting her to continue.

"Thanks for taking good care of her."

"The pleasure is all mine." I truthfully respond, seeing her smile. Then I pull out, taking a left and heading towards Adele's house.

I'm ready to teach her a few new lessons in love.