Damaged Together

Chapter Fifty Four

Alyssia’s POV

“Pull into here.”

Jesse looks at me from across the car, obviously confused. “I want to go into Walgreens so I can get some rubbing alcohol and stuff for your face.” I explain. Without speaking, he turns on his blinker and proceeds to turn into the small convenient store. I know that we shouldn’t go to this party but I can tell he was being genuine when he told me he wanted to. The least I can do is try to fix up his face.

“You know, you don’t have to do this, it’ll be fine.” He tells me and grabs my hand in his.

I want to cover my eyes at the sight of the bloodied fat lip and swollen eye on his face. I hate seeing him hurt and I know that it’s not just physical, no matter how much he wants to deny it to me, I know he’s hurting inside. “I want to.” I answer him, leaving him in the car with nothing but a small peck on the cheek.

I walk into the deserted convenient store making a mental note of what exactly to get. “Welcome.” I hear someone grumble as I walk through the automatic door. I look to see a single man reading a newspaper behind the cash register. As a reflex I give a small hello in return.

His eyes move up from the newspaper for the first time and locking eerily with mine. “How are you tonight?” His tone completely changed from before and now his eyes are assaulting my body. He clearly is long overdue for a shave and a shower as well. I notice the bruising around his left eye that eerily matches Jesse’s.

“Fine, thanks.” I try not to allow the conversation to continue as I walk to the back of the store to the medical supplies. My mind is slightly flustered by the creep in the front and the mass amounts of brands and special ointments in this aisle is not making things any clearer.

After plenty of rummaging I finally find some rubbing alcohol, some medicine wrap and Band-Aids. I know he will probably refuse the Band-Aids and deny that he needs them but it’s worth trying.

I reluctantly make my way back to the cash register, questioning if I should get Jesse to come in here just so the guy knows to back off. By the time I’ve reached the man I have decided against it, he is already hurt and I don’t need him stirring up any trouble where there doesn’t need to be any.

I feel his eyes on my chest before I even look at him. A large part of me wants to tell him what a disrespectful pig he is, that I am half his age and he should feel disgusted with himself.

But then there’s the realistic part of me that hates conflict, and doesn’t see the need in telling the man off just yet.

I put my few items on the counter as his eyes continue to violate me. “That all for you tonight, sweetheart?” I hate the way the last word sounds coming out of his mouth. After I don’t answer his hand runs up in front of my face, attempting to get more of my attention. He has blood scraped across his knuckles and my stomach twists.

I nod my head and swallow the lump in my throat telling me how weird this situation is. He slowly bags my items, taking his time, as he continues to stare at me. I am happy that I decided on a non-revealing outfit as I wonder how much more he’d be staring if I had more skin showing.

“What are you doing tonight?” I beg for someone, anyone to walk through the door as he asks me. He raises his bushy eyebrow at me and I try to find the right words to answer with. My mind seems to have drawn a blank. He speaks again, “cause I could find something for you to do.” His bloodied hand moves across the counter and he tries to grab mine. I pull away quickly.

Without even realizing it my hand is smacking the side of his face, with enough force to make his head turn to the side. I suddenly find my voice and my thoughts come together, despite the fact that I’m still fuming. “I am 16 years old, you disgusting piece of shit.”