Facade

I.

Now reading as Zari Miller

I grip the edge of the sink, blood dripping slowly onto the clean white porcelain from my nose.

This doesn't hurt, Z. Pull it together.

I pick my head up, cringing at what I see in the mirror; my nose looks broken, my blue eyes are bloodshot, my lip was busted open, now scabbed with blood.

"Zari?" Damion, my boyfriend calls from outside of the bathroom. "Yes d-darling?" I say wiping the blood from my nose onto the back of my hand. I wince, forgetting my nose has taken the worst this time. "I'm running to the store quick. Are you okay?" He says gently twisting the door knob.

I swallow, "Yes. I'm just going to focus on my book I've been reading. It's a g-good one." I choke back my tears, "Can you pick me up a pack of pens? All of mine are running low on ink and I've been writing a lot lately.."

"Sure thing, honey. Anything else?" He asks a bit louder. I realize I have the sink on, "Oh, um.. no, I'm fine . Just pens." He clears his throats, "Alright, babe."

I look down at my hand, wrapping it in my other one. I start to sob, sliding down the wall. I tilt my head back, covering my mouth in case Damion hasn't left yet.

Pull it together, Zari. Pull it. Together!

I take a deep breathe and pull myself up to the sink. "What are you doing to yourself, Z?" I laugh slightly, wetting the towel. I dab my eye, cleaning off the little cut.

Like I said, my nose took the worst. I hesitantly dab the blood from under my nose. Shooting pains go through my face with each gentle pat. I jump as my phone vibrates on the floor. I slowly kneel down to pick it up.

Through the cracked screen, I see a message from Harry, a good friend of mine.

Hey Z. Just checking in, I hope this isn't a bad time. H xx

I get this heavy feeling in my chest knowing I have to lie to him. I can't bring myself to tell him, he would go after Damion and I don't want Harry getting hurt.

You have good timing, haha. I'm alright, just a migraine today. Probably going to work on writing..

I look in the mirror again, lightly touching my cheek. "Already bruising.. shit.." I open the drawer to all of my tools, meaning makeup.

My phone buzzes again, Would it be okay if we got lunch or something sometime? My treat. Xx. I smile slightly, immediately answering without thinking, Yes of course, Haz. I just need to clear my schedule, you know me, busy busy busy.

My heart hurts knowing i just lied to him. If I tell Damion that I'm going out to eat with a friend who also happened to be a guy, that will not end well for both me and Harry.

"Honey ... Zari ... I'm home." Damion calls out. "... In here, I'm getting dressed." He doesn't respond, but I hear grocery bags being set on the table.

I gently apply my makeup onto my face, wincing every now and then. "Shit.." I whisper to myself. My eyes flood with tears as a stinging sensation shoots through my nose.

Not anything new to you, Z. Push through it, come on.

I walk over into my, technically out, room, and take my shirt off. Multiple bruises all over my sides, bruises that have bruises. I cringe and turn around, freezing as I see Damion standing there. "Hey beautiful."

I put my shirt on as quick as I can, "Did you get me my pens? The fine point ones right?" He nods, "Yeah, and I also got you something else." I give him a look, "I only asked for the pens though.."

Big mistake.. shit..

He huffs, "Can't I try to be nice to my girlfriend and get her a surprise?" He runs a hand through his hair, "God dammit, Zari." I choke back my fear, "N-no.. I was just sa-" He cuts me off, "I try and try to make this a happy relationship, but screw it." He walks over to me, backing me up into the wall and punches by my head.

"Stop.." I mumble quietly, "Stop, please.." I sniffle. He walks away, slamming the door as he leaves the room.

"Fuck you.." I say, voice shakey. I go to the bathroom, grab my phone and call Harry.

"Hello?" He says like he just woke up. "Hey, Haz.." I say with a slight smile. "Zari! Hey! Everything okay? You sound like you were crying." I take a deep breathe. "Can we meet up? Today preferably.." I tuck loose hair behind my ear. "Of course, yes. Where and when?" His tone is happier, I like it.

"I can meet you at the coffee shop down town. Is that okay?" I look into the mirror, inspecting my face. "Perfect, how's eleven sound?" I smile, "Great, I'll see you in a little bit."

"See you then.."

The call ends and Damion walks into the bathroom, "Jared wants me to come over and watch the game, do you want to go along?" I shake my head, "My team isn't playing, I'm not interested."

He laughs slightly, "Oh babe, you and your CheeseHeads.. " I roll my eyes, "Look here mister, Green Bay might be having a rough season but they're still number one to me." He smirks, "Suit yourself, babe."

I laugh slightly, "I'm going to go down to the coffee shop and work on my writing. I could use a good Carmel latte." He nods, "Alright, you know the rules..." he walks over and looks down at me. He cups my face and sighs slowly through his nose, "I'm sorry.."

He leans down, connects his lips with mine. I rest my hands on his waist, kissing back. "It's okay.." I whisper.

Don't feel guilty have Lieing, Zari.

He pulls me into a hug, which kind of hurts me, considering I have bruises all over. He pulls away, "I'll call you later. I love you." He walks towards the door and turns to me before leaving.

"I love you too.." I whisper just enough for him to hear. He turns and leaves, "Why can't you never come back?" I mumble looking in the mirror.

I apply more makeup before going to grab my writing stuff. I put on my jacket, grab my purse and walk out of the apartment.

"Who knows, maybe I won't come back.."