Relax/Divide

[2] True Colors

Vincent avoided me after that. 
He wouldn't even bat an eye to me.
I wish I could apologize. 

Aeron continued to talk to the others.
"Hah! Yeah we should totally go out to the movies or some shit." He said to them.
He looked at me, "You don't mind staying at home right babe?"
I shrugged, "It's fine I guess."
Then I realized it would give me an opportunity to see Vincent.

"Ah actually it'd be a good idea anyways, I have to study for the upcoming final exams."
Aeron grinned, "Good idea, that's why I love you, you're so smart." He pulled me closer to him.
I held my breath for a moment but then sighed.
I wasn't sure if it was a good idea at all.
_______
Aeron grabbed his keys and came up to me. I had all my textbooks near me and just spread paperwork all over my desk.
"I don't know how long I'll be out baby, but it'll probably be late."
He kissed my forehead, "You stay home okay? I'm going to call later to check up on you if I don't forget. If you go anywhere you let me know, is that understood?"
I nodded.
"Perfect. I'll see you later, love you."

The door shuts and I sat in silence.
My heart began to race, "This is a stupid idea Oleander," I told myself.
I grabbed my phone and opened a textbook and left it open at a random chapter. I also put some pens and sticky notes to make it seem as if I really did some work in case he came back.

I waited half an hour to text Aeron that I went to the drugstore to get some pain pills and a couple of more things then head out through the door.
I took a look at my watch to check what time it is.
"6:34 pm"
Vincent usually stayed late around campus helping out in the library or studied. Let's hope he is today.
_______
After arriving at the library, I looked around.
Where is he?
I then saw a familiar color nearby.
Red.

It was him.

I ran to him, "Vincent!"
"Shhh!" Someone said.
Vincent quickly turned to my direction, confused.
"Look I-"
"What do you want?" He said harshly.
"I just... I'm sorry Vincent. I'm sorry for what Aeron said to you the other day. I didn't know- I didn't mean what I said- I mean-"

Vincent got up and grabbed my wrist.
He left his books and pulled me outside the library.
Once we were out, he let go of me and crossed his arms. It was clear he didn't want to have anything to do with me anymore.
After a minute, I managed to speak,
"Vincent, my boyfriend is protective of me and he's rude to whoever he doesn't trust. I never wanted you to leave or anything! I just-"

"Why do you let him control you like that?"
My eyes widened.
"He doesn't-"
He interrupted me, "When you're with him you look so miserable, stressed, scared even. Clearly you're unhappy with him so why do you even stick around with him like that? You're so popular, I'm sure you wouldn't lose anything if you just left him."

I got upset, "Listen Vincent, you don't know Aeron like I do. He's not bad he's-"
"Manipulative? Cruel? Possessive?"
"No-"
"Why haven't you realized how badly he treats you? I see him exclude you and yet prevent you from interacting with anyone when he's there. He treats you like some sort of object! He's-"
"What makes you think you know him better than I do?" I snapped.

He shut his mouth.
"You shouldn't even care! It's none of your business who I'm with and you barely even know me either! Just because you see the bare bones doesn't mean you know the entire deal."

He narrowed his eyes at me.
"Then where do those bruises come from?" He points to my arms.
"They come from-"
"Don't lie. You don't get such bruises from textbooks or furniture. You've been hit. I've seen bruises like that before."
I got angry with him, "You don't know anything! -"

He stared at me, "You're right, I don't know anything. I thought you'd be a bit smarter than that."
He fucking burned me.
"Listen you-" I heard a ring.
My phone.

Fuck.
I answered it, "B-Babe! What's up?" I tried my best to stay calm and sound normal.
"Hey. Just wanted to check in on you, how's your headache?"
"It's fine, I think I might just sleep soon though you know? Just a little under the weather like usual you know me haha."
"Yeah that's cool. Hey, where are you at?"
My heart is racing again, "I'm home!"
"Is that so? Then how come I didn't see you a few minutes ago?"

Oh no please no-

"Oh I just got home from the store, that may have been why, which is too bad because I wanted to give you a small kiss..."
"That makes sense. Okay well I'll see you later babe. Love you bye."
"Loveyoutoobye-" I hung up.

"So you're at home now?" Vincent says sarcastically.
"Shut up."
"Why do you keep lying?"
I looked down and held myself.
"I just don't want to get hurt."
Vincent kept looking at me.
"He does hurt me okay? But it's to keep me in place. I'm impulsive and can't control myself at all but he does it for me."

We stayed quiet for a couple of seconds.
I continued," He has good reasons to do it. Without him I'd probably be drunk as hell right now or doing drugs with my so called friends."

"If that's the case, why does he have to resort to pain and violence? Relationships aren't supposed to hurt you."

"Because I deserve it that's why."

Vincent lifted up my head to look at him, "You don't deserve bruises on your body. You don't deserve pain in anyway. You don't need that kind of toxic shit in your life."
"What makes you think-"
"Because I see how you are without him. You're constantly smiling and laughing with others, you attract everyone towards you, everyone admires you so much. Without Aeron you're so much happier and that's what you really deserve."

I didn't know what to say.

"I don't know you personally, but I would like to, if that's okay. However from what I've seen? You don't seem like a bad person at all."

I stepped back from him,
"You don't want to know me. I'm no better than him. I'm just as destructive."

He came closer to me.
"Guess we're the same," he held his hand out towards me, "but let me see for myself then."
I looked at his hand, then at him. He had this strong yet secure presence around him. I wanted to keep that feeling near me. I wanted to feel safe.

I grabbed his hand.

He pulled me in for a much needed hug.
I felt so... Warm for once.
_______
I arrived back home, everything still in the same place as I left it.
I walked up to my bed and laid in it. I was exhausted.
I stared at the ceiling.

"Guess we're the same,"

The same huh?
I wonder how you're really like, Vincent.
I want to see your true colors.

I hope I can.

The door opens and then clicks.
...
He's back home.