Locked in Love

Break Up

                          I wasn't leaving this house. As long as I was in Baker, I wouldn't leave this house. I asked Amy if it was okay, and she didn't ask any questions and said it was fine. The fact that Tom would hit Eli and Colton with me right there made it OK for me to be here. Colton wouldn't let me see his bruises, but certain things he did let me see all the marks he had. He'd lift his arm to get something off a shelf and I would see a bruise on his back or his shirtsleeve would come up and I would see another black and blue spot.  

                  Finally after thirty minutes, Eli came up. He had tears running down his tan face and his cheek was swelling from where Tom had hit him. I ran over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. He held onto me tightly and he cried into my hair. I rubbed soothing circles in hisback. Too soon he let go of me and walked over to his older brother, sitting on the edge of Colton's bed and draping an arm over his brother. I knew that they hadn't talked since the whole incident.  

"You were never suppose to know about this." Colton said, laying his head into his hands. 

"Maybe there was a reason I do know. Maybe I'm suppose to help you guys. You have to tell someone." I said, hopeful. 

They both looked at me, fear filling each of their eyes. They shook their heads at me. "You can't do that. They will take us away."  

"But you'll be safe." My eyes pleading. 

"No Avery. Promise us that you won't tell anyone." Eli said. 

"I promise." Even though I didn't want to, I did. A part of me wanted to tell, but then I knew that if I did, someone would take them and I'd never have them again.

              The next morngng, I left the boys house right after Tom left for work. I didn't wake either of the boys up, they deserved to rest. I kissed each of their cheeks lightly and tip toed down the stairs. I had a hard time sleeping last night. I was scared Tom would come up and start again with the boys.  

                 When I was safely in my room, I cried. I cried for all the hell I knew they were going through. I cried because I was so confused about them. I didn't know anything anymore. I didn't go and see Eli that night either. I was afraid. I was afraid of what might be different between us. Afraid of Tom. I knew seeing him would be so weird, if that's even the word I'm looking for.

                   Today was my last day in Baker. I haven't seen Eli or Colton in over a week. All three of us were going to eat dinner together tonight. I wasn't looking forward to it. I don't know why. I was always so excited to see them and now all of a sudden, I hated being around them. Just knowing that little face about them, made it completely different and it scared me.  We met at Me Amora at 5:30. Eli pulled out my chair and pushed it back in. I sat across from the brothers in silence, they stared back. Finally Colton broke the silence.  

"So, you leave tomorrow?" Colton asked. 

"No, tonight." I looked down. 

They both looked at me, sadness feeling their expressions. I knew that they didn't want me to leave.  

"Do you have to leave?" They both looked at me hopeful. 

"Guys, I'll be back. Once this school year is over, I'll be here for however long I want. I'm a senior, we're all seniors. We won't have to worry about being separated anymore. It's still weird to even think you guys are twins. I can't believe I didn't notice that!"  

           They both laughed, they were fake, I could tell. I hated seeing them like this. I don't know why, but they told me that they feel safe around me. When I'm here, they don't feel scared of Tom. I liked that in a way, but knowing I won't be there for them for over five months, scares the crap out of me. I was a safe haven for both of them and I was glad, but I still didn't want them to fear him whether I was there or not.  

"You boys do know I will always here for you, right?"  

"Yeah. Why are you saying that?" Colton asked, concern filling his face.  

"I'm just letting you guys know." I looked away from both of them.  

"And?"  

"And I might not be here this summer." I had finally said it.  

           Eli, who hadn't said a word tonight, pushed back his chair as hard as he could and stormed out of the restuarant. I looked at Colton, he just shook his hand and looked away.

          After dinner, I went to look for Eli. I wasn't sure where I might find him, but I had a pretty good feeling where he was. And of course, I was right. He was at Far Beach. Both the boys had taken up to going to this beach. The one place I hated the most in Baker, they both always came to when something happened.  

"Go away, Avery." Eli said, knowing it was me coming up behind him. 

"What's wrong with you, Eli?"  

I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him, but he quickly untangled himself from my grasp.  

"Don't touch me." He spat. He was mad, I could tell.  

Why in the world is he mad at me? 

"What did I do to you? Why are you mad at me all of a sudden?" Again, I tried wrapping my arms around him, but again he pushed me away.  

"I said don't touch me, Avery. I'm serious. Just don't freaking touch me."  

He got up and started walking down the beach. I followed him, right at his heels. 

"Eli, just stop and talk to me. I'm your girlfriend, aren't I?" I asked, grabbing his arm, tears running down my face. This time he did stop. 

"No, I don't think you are. We're not anything anymore, Avery. Isn't it about time you go home?" He pushed my hand off his arm. The tears falling over my cheeks. I refused to let them get the better of me. I wiped my arm over my face.

"Yeah. I guess it is." I said, putting the strongest face I could mange on. "But can I do one thing before I leave?"

He nodded and I walked up to him. I pulled him close to me and I kissed him one last time. 

"Remember your promise, Eli. You're not going to treat me like Colton did. You promised." 

"I know. I'm not going to treat you any way he did." 

I kissed him one last time. "I love you." And I walked away.

            I thought I was leaving, but I wound up back at Colton and Eli's. I knew Colton was there. I didn't even knock. I went straight to his room. 

"Avery, uh, what are you doing here?" He jumped up to put a shirt on, to cover up his bruised body, but I just told him not to worry about it."Don't bother. I'll only be here for a few minutes."  

I was already crying and I felt like an idiot. This has now happened with both of these brothers.  

"He did it. He...he broke up with me. It's finally over."  

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry. Like I've told him, there are other people out there. You're going to find someone else. But you need to get going before it gets too late. Please be safe and call me later." We hugged and I set out for home, so he thought.

            I sat in front of Eli's house for hours, waiting for him to come home. I was supposed to have been home three hours ago. He never showed up at his own home.  He made me wait all night for nothing. I had a feeling he wouldn't show up. In the pit of my stomach, I knew he wasn't coming back to his house tonight, but a part of me still hoped.