undeniable feelings | a stephchelle story

Chapter 11 - reassured

— MICHELLES POV —

I attempt to peer past Toby's friends, in hope that I see Stephanie walk back towards me. But she doesn't. I managed to quickly buy mine and Stephanie's tickets whilst Toby's friends went to the toilet. But now they're back so I have no way to check if Stephanie's okay.

They're all staring at me with beady eyes, not looking away for one second. They all in unison turn around to see a smirking Toby walking confidently towards them.
"Job done boys, now lets go watch this horror movie." He chuckles, staring at me with a snarl, and striding beside them as they walk into screen 4.

I scan the busy cinema for any signs of Stephanie, panic builds up as I continue to search, remembering what Toby said, what does he mean by "Job done"?

I frantically run outside, screaming Stephanie's name, I get no response which increases the shakiness of my body. Eventually, I hear a faint cry coming from an alleyway off in the distance, I sprint straight towards it.

The biggest relief is to see Stephanie, but not in the state she's in right now. I gasp as I notice a she has bruises all over her arm and blood is tricking down her ankle. She's laying on the ground, unable to speak to me, I just watch as tears run down her face.

I quickly lift her up and pull her into my arms, I eventually hear her begin to loudly cry into my arms, squeezing me tightly, she doesn't stop crying, and I don't stop hugging her.

We're hugging for at least 10 minutes, and she doesn't stop crying. I continue stroking her back to try and calm her down. I can feel her shaking, and not being able to stop. I think she's having a panic attack, she won't stop shaking and she's breathing more heavy than I've ever seen

As soon as I've identified what's going on, I sit her beside me, squeezing her hand tightly and breathing in sync with her, trying to slow it down each time, it seems to be working. Eventually, she gets back to a normal breathing pace.

She's still slightly shaking, so I continue to squeeze her hand tightly and rub her back. The shaking takes a lot longer to control but we eventually get there and she begins to regain her breath, and starts trying to speak.
"It's okay Steph, just relaxed for a second, don't worry about speaking to me." I calmly say.

After about 5 minutes, she's able to speak.
"M-Michelle I'm so sorry you had to see this, I j-just got beat up by him, b-because in spending too much time with you." She cries.
"HE DID THIS?" I shout angrily, she nods shakily. I clench my fists, how could he do that to her? I stand up and begin to lift her.
"Shall we go in? I promise I'll stay by you 100%, I won't leave your side for 2 Seconds. She nods.

She weakly reaches out for my hand, I lift her up and once again, pull her in for another hug, allowing her to cry some more if she needs to, which she doesn't, she just smiles at me after squeezing me, clutching onto my hand, we walk back into the cinema, I don't let go of her for one second.