Underground

22

August
I look down at Estelle, her hair slightly wavy, falling down to her shoulders.
You could tell how badly they'd treated her just by the way she sleeps. Her hands drawn into fists, her jaw set as opposed to it being relaxed. All in all, she just looks guarded.
I want to hit something. 
As gently as I can, I move out from under her, letting Atlas warm her up. 
I walk out the door, trying to stay calm, but still getting so angry my hands shake. 
I breathe in the brisk air, taking in the mostly calming air. 
A car parallel parks on the curb in front of my house, out pops Logan and some other guy. 
"Hey August!" She says, smiling. 
I glare at her, watching her walk up the little pathway that leads up to my house. 
"Where Estelle?" The guy asks. "I want my jacket back." 
"Estelle's asleep." I say, letting the rage edge my voice. "You can't go in there." 
"I'm Brett." The random kid says. "I helped her."
"She's asleep." I say, it coming out almost as a growl. "You can't see her right now."
"I just want to pop in and grab my jacket." He says, approaching.
I shove into his chest, watching him collapse onto the concrete.
"Dude, it's just a jacket, chill." He says, standing.
"I'll grab it, you two stay out here." I say, walking back into the house.
The jacket was sitting on the coffee table, it was a maroon fleece.
I snatch it up and walk back outside, handing him the jacket. "Now leave."
"August, I just wanna see her." Logan says softly. "Apologize, or whatever."
"No." I say. "You both need to leave, or I'll call the cops."
"Call the cops, see if I care." Brett says.
I suddenly have the urge to punch him, so that's what I do.
I bring my fist down on his face, and blood springs from his nose, running down his cupid's bow.
"August stop!" Logan yells, grabbing my arm.
I take a deep breath through my nose. "Take your boyfriend and leave." I say, as calm as can be. "He's not my boyfriend." She says, stepping back in disgust.
"Yeah, I'm gay!" He yells.
"I don't care, take your whatever and leave!" I yell.
They both look at each other then walk away, getting into Logan's car and driving off.
"Aug?" I hear a soft, tired, Estelle voice say.

Estelle
"Why'd you come out here?" August asks, ushering me inside.
"I'd like to fall asleep cuddling you, and wake up cuddling you, not your dog." I say.
He smiles softly, his eyes softening. "You go back to the couch okay?"
I nod, reaching down and grabbing his hand, pulling back when I feel a sticky substance on it. I yank away, looking at my fingers with a smatter of blood covering the skin.
"It's not what it looks like." He starts.
I look up at him. "Did you kill someone?"
"No, I just punched him." He explains.
I interrupt again. "Who did you punch and why?"
"His name was Brett, and he came with Logan." He says. "He asked for his jacket, I gave it to him then he wanted to come inside. So naturally I told him no, but he obviously didn't know the definition of no, so I shoved him. Then he got a little too close and I punched him in the nose."
"You punched him because he wanted to see me?" I ask, raising my voice.
He sighs looking up. "I told him that I would call the police if he went in, he just shrugged it off and tried to come in."
"You could have just pulled him away or something!" I yell, running a hand through my tousled hair.
"I needed to protect you!" He retaliates at the same decibel.
"He helped me Aug!" I yell, letting my voice take the uneasy edge. "It would have been the least of my concern if he and Logan came in here."
"And what if they hurt you!" He yells. "Would I have to sit and watch!?"
"August! Nobody is expecting you to protect me!" I yell. "I had defense training for a reason!"
"I expect me to protect you!" He yells, tugging at his hair.
"And why is that!?" I yell.
"Because you're important to me!" He roars. "I told you this earlier!"
"I'm important to everyone August!" I yell. "They don't protect me!"
"So! Maybe I just care more!" He replies, still loud and angry.
"Give me a valid reason why you care so much more than everyone else!" I say, low and equally as angry.
"Because I'm in love with you Estelle! I'm so in love with you that you make me so crazy and that's why I feel the need to protect you!" He yells, less angry now, more hopeful.
"Y-you love me?" I ask, my voice wavering.
"Yes, I love you." He answers, looking down at me.
I don't say anything, I just stare into his now soft and sensitive brown eyes.
"Well?" He asks, looking jittery and regretful.
I walk towards him standing on my tiptoes.
He looks kinda scared, his eyes wide looking into mine.
I kiss him with all the emotions I feel, letting the pure feeling of euphoria numb my anger.
He cups my cheek, pulling me in close with his other hand.
Eventually, we must part for air, but the hallway we are in is clouded with anger and happiness all at the same time.
"I love you." August says again. "God, that feels good to say."
I smile. "I love you too, so much."
He kisses me quickly before pulling away, smile widely. "I love you." He repeats again. "I love you, I love you, I love you."
"I love you too." I say, smoothing the hair on the side of his head.
He smiles. "That's great, you're great."
"We're great." I correct, laying my hand on his chest to feel his rapid heartbeat.
"I'm so happy." August informs, leaning down and placing a quick kiss on my lips.
"Me too." I lie.
How am I going to tell him the nightmares are getting worse?