His Sweet Escape

Chapter 8: Boys and Bruises

His arms didn't feel the same. They never would be as safe as Dylan's. It was like an empty promise encasing her with thoughts of money and just how pretty everyone looked on the outside. Amber looked at her reflection in the brown eyes of the boy in front of her. They were shallow, not at all the dark blue abyss that Dylan's were. It was his graduation party that her mother dragged them to. This was someone's nephew or another that only cared about his bloody accomplishments. This spectacular party in his honor wasn't helping the ego either. When he had offered his hand to dance, a death glare from her witch of a mother gave her no choice.

The song was slow, similar to the whimsical one on the roof. But there were no clouds for her feet to float upon, no fuzzy feeling of elatedness coming to her rescue from his drones about this award and that yacht party.

"Don't you think so Amber?" he brought her back from Dylan's blue eyes and sweet words.

"Yeah, sure." she mustered in a reply, very disinterested. A ridiculous expression crossed the face of the self-obsesseed boy in front of her eyes.

"What?" she replied very annoyed.

"You do know you just agreed to come home with me tonight right?" there was cold laughter in his eyes that made Amber feel uneasy.

"What?!" She panicked, retracting her arms from around him instantly,

"I'm kidding. Was just checking to see if you were listening to me. Was my other story boring? Don't worry. I have another one about my ex who was so self-absorbed! I mean she never appreciated how accomplished I was you know...." And his voice faded into the background music as she walked away for a drink. He followed her, not seeming to get the message. She couldn't exactly tell him off could she? It was his night. Scanning the crowd for her sister who could save her like last time seemed like the best option to do at the moment. Nope, just heads, heels, and a heck of a lot of wine glasses and martinis.

"I'm going to run to the loo." She feebly excused herself and ran in the direction of the restrooms. She braced her hands on the marble white sink and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She wanted to be home... no, not London. Not her suite either. The roof, where she belonged right there with Dylan. She wondered as she rinsed off her hands why Dylan was constantly up there. He did mention his frequent visits even before she came to New York. He wasn't homeless because.... well because it was sort of obvious. He had new clothes everytime she saw him, he bought her the book back, he paid the cab fare when they did use it , much to Amber's protest though. Hearing a slight giggle emanate from just outside the room, she peeked her head out. There her sister was, making out with some guy with sideswept black hair and green eyes. Amber preferred Dylan's blue ones though. Blinking her eyes in confusion as to where she's seen that black hair before. The coffee shop, where Anna flirted with that exact same guy while Amber and Dylan went off shopping came back to her. It was the same build and handsome face and Anna had twirled her hair for just yesterday. Chuckling to herself, she managed to slip by the occupied couple and hide from her ex dance partner's view.

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"And so he was like, I did this and I went to that..." Amber mocked in her best impression of the graduate from the dinner. Dylan was laughing, their legs hanging over the ledge that Amber jumped over hand in hand with him in what seemed like such a long time ago.

"Oh my gosh, you had to put up with him. You poor little thing." Dylan sympathasized with her and Amber playfully elbowed him. He winced in pain but tried to cover it up with a dry cough.

"What's wrong. I'm sorry I hit you..." Amber immediately apologized but he waved her off and tried to change the subject. Dylan tugged at the bottom hem of his shirt and sleeves, making sure not much of his skin was showing.

"Dylan, stop. What are you doing?" He turned away from her. She put a tentative hand on his shoulder, deliberately lifting of the shirt sleeve, but before he could react she saw it. Large, daunting black and blue. She gasped.

"You, how... Someone hit you!" She reasoned.

"I ran into a pole." he mustered, not very convincingly.

"Oh yeah Mr. Karate-Kid-used-that-excuse-too. Did you get into a fist fight or something?" she gently brushed the bruise and he shivered.

"Let's get you fixed up. Then you can tell me." She led him down the ladder, firmly clutching his hand in hers, giving him no choice but to follow.

"Don't worry, my mom is out and Anna had a date." She comforted and pushed open the glass doors leading into the kitchen. She handed him an ice pack and sat him down by the marble island. Fumbling through the drawers and cupboards, Dylan finally pointed out a gauze.

"There." Smiling slightly in relief, she made her way over to him who was sitting patiently. Rolling the fabric over his upper arm part, she spoke.

"Okay, now what happened. Are there any more bruises?" She knew the answer. He shook his head.

"Don't you dare lie to me. I saw you wince when I elbowed you." Her voice turned stern and looked straight into those deep blue eyes she dreamed of every so often. Immediately she softened as he managed a nod.

"Yes maa'm." He lifted his shirt over his head while Amber blushed profously. Yes he did have a six-pack and yes he was very toned but that wasn't what caught her attention. Various bruises dotted his torso and back.

"Who did this?"

"Maybe I'm just a bad boy who likes to fight, like Ricky in that novel I bought you back." He offered.

"Not funny. You need to go call the hospital or something." Her eyes filled with worry. He tucked his finger underneath her chin and leaned closer. He kissed her. Pressing his lips softly to hers, she forgot her anger and curiosity.After they broke apart, he asked with pleading eyes,

"Don't worry, I just got into an argument. I'm taking care of it. It was a one time thing." Amber, still slightly dubious, yet frazzled, managed a nod.

"Promise me you will take care of whatever and whoever did this." she firmly stated and it was his turn to nod. After offering a final smile, he climbed out the window and into the shadows of the buildings emanated by the setting sun. With a small wedge of suspicion in the back of her mind, Amber immediately smiled and spun around, giddy about her first kiss with Dylan. This boy was worth it, bruises and all.