The Best Days (ON HOLD)

CH 28: Rise

___HOPE'S POV___

I sighed and leaned back after telling everyone the awful tale of Leon and his comeback. By now Louis was next to me and Harry sitting in a rocking chair across the room, his arms folded and his eyes grew damp. Gemma was standing by Harry, none of this information was new, I only left out the bruises, I didn't want them to worry. "Thanks for coming out earlier Gemma." 

"Should I get a police to take him?" Louis whispered, moving the hair behind my ears, I shot up in defense and stared down at him. He furrowed his eyebrows and Harry gasped. "What?" Then Louis, investigating me more, parted his lips, as if to speak but not a murmur left him.

"Your neck..." Harry began. I touched my bare skin, noticing my movements were too late. 

"Ohmygod," I said breathlessly, slipping my hair back to cover it. 

"How did you get them?" Louis stood up, approaching me, and was about to take another look at my bruises, setting one hand on my neck, the other swiping my hair back. Goosebumps developed on my skin. "Does Gemma know that?" I shook my head. His eyes met mine and he cocked his head. "Was this Leon's doing?"

I didn't want to answer, I wish they would leave it alone, I'll call the police to lock him up and that will be all, no one has to know. 

"Don't- touch me." I backed away, his hands falling away to his side. "I won't tell you Lou, I couldn't. I- I don't want you to- worry."

"I'll be worried you you don't tell me." He demanded. As much as it would help them I couldn't tell them his threats to steal my virtuous ways. His coming into my apartment, waiting for me to come home. The memories of him weren't kisses on the shore of the beach in my mind, they were tidal waves that crashed in, the thought of them made me tremble. "Please."

~~F LA S H B A C K~~

"Where did you put it?" His eyes darkened as he cornered me. 

"I don't know where it is, I didn't touch it-" His hands gripped my neck, his fingertips pressing down on the skin of my neck and jaw. 

"Don't lie to me." He pressed harder, a sharp pain developing on my skin. I winced and writhed.

"I'm not, I don't know where it is. Let go, your hurting me." He leaned his head in closer to mine, the tips of our noses brushing. I know I hid it, I knew exactly where it was, I didn't want him to go out and hurt others, I would rather die than give it to him. 

"No. Not until you tell me where you hid it." 

"I told you I don't know, they could be anywhere. I don't know Leo-" He pressed down harder, I let out a tight whimper in pain. "Please let me go!" I cried desperately. He let out a violent shout and threw me onto the floor. I held onto my legs and curled up, hoping he wouldn't hurt me anymore. I shut my eyes, trying to hold back my tears. 

"Where is it?!" He shouted, grabbing my shoulders and rolling me over to see him. I opened my eyes regretfully and his blue eyes seemed to turn shades darker. "If 'it could be anywhere' tell me where." I remained silent. He brought his hand up. "Bitch.", and he brought his hand to meet my cheek sharply. I turned to the side, trying to look unfazed at this. I'm sure my cheek was red, it throbbed. "What's this?" He smirked, moving my hair back, investigating my neck. It still hurt. 

"I- I don't know."

"They're bruises. I'm sorry 'bout them." His fingers skimmed over them. "Those will be there a while." He was smirking. I shut my eyes a swatted his hand away.