Until my heart stops beating [ButtahBenzo]

Chapter 19 - Safe and Sound

[A/N As promised, here's chapter 19. Enjoy😊]

Shay's POV

"Oh Shannon" Ashley said as she connected our foreheads, her hand lingering in my cheeks making me the feel like the safest person alive.

And with that, our little moment was disturbed by the 'ding' sound of the oven, making us pull away from each other.

I smiled at her weakly as I proceeded to the oven and removed the preheat pizzas from the oven and put it in a plate.

"You should eat something, you've been practicing for 2 hours." I said as I push the plate towards her.

I watch her grab one as she look at me intently, uncomfortable by her gaze I looked away and try to focus on the picture from the fridge. It was a picture of me and Ashley when we were kids, our arms tangled together in an embrace, and a piece of Ashley's tooth was missing. I laughed as I remembered how she lost the tooth.

"Can I sleep over?" Ashley asked me finishing her first pizza and grabbing another one.

"Uhh..." I hesitated at first, "yeah sure."

"You know we're gonna have to talk about it later, right?" She asked me.

I sighed heavily as I grab a pizza, "I know" I replied.

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We were lying on my bed watching Phantom of the Opera on the television, Ashley was snuggled on my side my arms around her. I can feel her every breath in my neck which makes it very hard for me to concentrate on Christie's singing.

I felt her move beside me, when I looked at her I can see that she was looking at me.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Still looking at her, "I was just... I was afraid."

She sat up as I remove my arms around her, the loss of warmth from her body made me frown.

"Afraid of what?" She asked me.

"Afraid that, if I told you... you'd think that I was making up stories so that you could stay away from Travis. And I..." I said hesitantly when she stopped me.

She brought her hand to my chin lifting my head up so that our eyes would meet, "Shannon, you should know that no matter how mad I am at you, I'll still believe everything you'd say. Cause I know you're not capable of such thing, about making up stories. And you're so much more important to me than any other guy out there. And next time that something like this happens to you, tell me. Don't hide it from me cause I swear to God, if you got hurt and I didn't know about it. I don't know what I'll do. So please, I'm begging you... tell me." Ashley pleaded at me with her eyes making my heart flutter, especially seeing that she cares that much about me.

I didn't know what to say so I kept quiet and just nodded at her. I was so tempted to kiss here right then and there but I knew better.

She sighed and made up some space between us. Just as I thought that we were done conversing about this, she told me something that made me anxious.

"Take off your shirt." Ashley said sternly.

"W-what?" I asked her not sure what she wanted, my face going red from what she just said.

"Take off your shirt so that I could see..."

And at that my eyes was wide-opened as realization dawned on me. She wanted to see the bruises, wounds that I had. But I didn't want her to see it, I didn't want her to see the failure in me, the failure of not being able to defend myself.

"B-but..." I said hesitantly still not sure if I should do it.

"Please, I need to see..." she said still determined.

Not having any choice, I positioned myself in front of her, my back facing her front and giving enough space for her to see. I slowly lifted my shirt up revealing to her my bruised back.

I closed my eyes as I patiently wait for her to respond to what she was seeing. I felt her hand move my hair to the side. Then her hand was touching every bruise I had, careful not to press too hard so I wouldn't feel any pain. Her hand dragging to my skin completely made me insane. Her soft touch making my heart flutter on the inside.

Then the unexpected thing happened, I felt her soft lips touch my shoulder, which made every bone in my body shudder in excitement. Then she kissed me again on the spine, and again and again and again. Trailing kisses in every bruise that I had, my heart not failing to beat rapidly.

"A-ashley..." I said with my voice shaking.

Next think I knew, I felt wetness on my back, her face was lying on my shoulder. That's when I realized that she was crying. I quickly turn around meeting her red eyes.

"I-i'm sorry, Shan. I'm so so sorry." She said to me, not being able to look me in the eye, the sadness and guilt in her eyes was prominent. Just the sight of her crying broke my heart into pieces.

I approached her putting my arms around her and hugging her. Her head was rested on my shoulder while I was slowly caressing her back.

"Hey, Ash. It's not your fault. You shouldn't blame yourself. It was his doing that got me here, you didn't do any if this. Stop crying please..." I said reminding her that she's not to blame regarding to what happened to me.

"But it is, it is my fault. If only I didn't go out with that guy then you wouldn't be hurt like this." She countered still sobbing.

"Ashley, you didn't know that this was going to happen. Anything bad that happens to me is not in your control. Don't blame yourself, baby. It's not your fault. You don't have to be sorry for me." I keep repeating myself just so that she wouldn't blame herself.

She pulled away from me, her sobbing stopped as she wiped away her tears.

I smiled genuinely at her, removing a strand of her hair that was blocking her face and putting it behind her ears.

"We should rest, we still have school tomorrow." I reminded her, but she was distracted by the big bruise sitting on my stomach.

She gently touched me, just below the bra that I was wearing, my heart pacing up. Her eyes were a mixture of sadness, guilt, hurt and anger.

She closed her eyes, her hand still lingering on my stomach. "He's gonna pay for this." She said, I could feel the anger welling up inside of her.

Her body was tense and her hand was clenched, I held her hand making her relax a little bit. She opened her eyes as she look at me.

"Ashley, no! You're not going to do anything about this. Last thing I want, is for you to get hurt too. It's already done, it's fine, i'm fine, everything's fine. We just have to let it go." I said, concerned about her safety.

If Travis could hurt me, I know he can do the same to Ashley. And I'm not willing to risk Ashley's safety just so that I could get my revenge. I don't like the idea of Ashley wearing the same bruises I had.

"But, what he did to you is..."

I stopped her, "...wrong and hurtful. As much as I would love seeing him in pain, I don't want anyone else to feel what I'm feeling right now, even if it's Travis." I explained to her, her face making a disgusted look.

"I hate it that you're so nice." She said making me laugh instantly. I retrieved my t-shirt and put it on, covering my body.

"Come on, let's sleep" I told her which she nodded to.

We put ourselves under the covers, cuddling while I stroke her hair. This is all I need right now, Ashley in my side safe and sound. I thought as sleepiness wash over me making my eyes close and drifting into a full slumber.

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I know this chapter's very short but I'll try to make the next one long and worth-reading. I really appreciate you guys commenting it makes my heart happy☺️ it's nice to know your insights and perspective about the story.

Love ya Xx

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