Bruises

9

It was almost seven by the time we got home, and Mrs. Hicks was too tired to make dinner so she just ordered pizza. When the pizza had arrived everyone practically inhaled their food within ten or so minutes. “Aunt Rebecca and your cousins are coming tomorrow and I want everyone to be on their best behavior, understood?” Mrs. Hicks said, pointing directly at Iris. “What’d I do?!” Iris wailed playfully, raising her shoulders dramatically. “Nothing, I just don’t want you glued to Avery the entire day like last time she was here.” Mrs. Hicks replied. “Fine.” Iris said crossing her arms and walking to her room. “That girl has one big attitude on her.” Mrs. Hicks said walking toward the sink to wash the night’s dishes. “You wanna go upstairs?” Dylan said, squeezing my hand. “You go ahead; I need to talk to your mom really quick.” I said releasing his hand as he made his way to and up the stairs.
“Do you need help with anything?” I said, picking up a dish rag. “Sure, I wash and you dry.” She said, setting a bowl in front of me. We washed and dried in silence for a few minutes until I decided to break the silence. “Thank you.” “What for, darling?” Mrs. Hick said, scrubbing down a plate. “Everything. You, and everyone else, have been extremely nice to me and I am very grateful.” I said, drying the dishes that were set in front of me. “Here set this down.” She said while taking the dish and the rag out of my hands and setting them on the counter before holding my hands in hers. “You do not have to thank us for anything. The first day you came here I could tell that you were skittish, as if everyone was judging or about to hurt you. I can tell that your life is not as good as it is supposed to be. I, along with everyone else, am just trying to give you everything that you deserve. I am here for you no matter what you need or want, whether it is just to get a ride to the store or to even run away from the house for a little bit. I am here.” Mrs. Hicks said whilst staring intently into my eyes, telling me that she was serious. “Thank you Mrs. Hicks.” I said, trying to hold back tears. “Don’t worry about calling me that, either Maria or Mrs. Maria will do.” She said, pulling me into a tight hug.
*****
I opened Dylan’s door to see him passed out on the bed. He looked so peaceful and comfortable like that, and it was times like these that I realized how handsome he was. Dylan was five feet eleven inches and practically towered over me, but it made me feel protected. His dark brown hair was styled in a lengthened military cut, the long part dangling half way down his forehead and into his eyes. His skin showed hints of going to the beach all the time, which had put a permanent tan on his skin. He had muscles, but not the kind that were so defined that made them look comical, his were more hinted at when he was wearing a tight t-shirt or something along those lines. Today he was wearing plain jeans and a gray V-neck that showed the hinted muscles.
I took off my shoes and carefully climbed onto the bed and curled up next to him, setting my head on his chest. It wasn’t long before I felt his arm wrap around me. “Sorry for waking you up.” I said quietly. “It’s cool.” He said quietly. “You tired?” Dylan asked. “A little bit, but I can stay up if you want.” I replied with my eyes closed. “No, you sleep. I’m just going to play some video games; I’ll keep the volume low.” He said before kissing my cheek and climbing off the bed. I barely mumbled an okay before falling asleep.
I dreamed about my dad and Mason. We were at the house and I had come down the stairs and they were both sitting at the table. I felt as though I had no control over my body because I sat down beside them. We just sat there for a while until they both stood up, and in unison, cracked their hands across my face. I woke up before I could register the pain
*****
I opened my eyes to see Dylan on the floor playing video games with no volume, like he said he said he would. He must’ve heard me wake up because he looked over at me and smiled before returning to his game. “What time is it?” I said groggily, rubbing my eyes. “One in the morning.” He said flat out. “Okay. Why are you still up?” I asked, leaning over the edge of the bed. He turned off the game system and the television before answering. “You started whimpering while you were sleeping, it scared the crap out of me. Then you started crying and shaking. I thought I would stay up long enough to make sure that you were okay.” He said, sitting on the corner of the bed by my feet. I just stared at him, what was I supposed to say ‘Oh, Dylan my dad beats the crap out of me and my brother left me with him.’ Hell no! “Did I really?” I asked quietly. “Yeah, you did. And about five minutes ago you said ‘Help me, Dylan.’ What is going on? Are you okay?” He questioned with furrowed brows and straight lips. “I’m fine, it was just a bad dream.” I lied, I hated doing this to him. “I don’t believe you.” He said before leaning over to me and crashing his lips onto mine.
I didn’t try to stop him because I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to explain what was going on with me. I didn’t want him to see how truly broken I was. I didn’t want to tell him the truth. It wasn’t long before the kisses got harsher and hungrier. I laced my fingers into his hair as his hands cupped my face, before moving them down my sides and settling them on my hips. He had touched a tender spot on my side, but I tried not to show that it had hurt at all. Dylan’s hands were pulling my hoodie off before I could even register what was going on. After pulling my hoodie his hands were playing with the hem of my t-shirt while still kissing me. His hands travelled under my shirt and gripped my sides. Too hard. My face twisted in pain to keep from crying out, and he stopped and saw me. My eyes widened and pulled my hands up to cover my face.
What have I just done?