Maybe One Day

5: Beautiful Struggles

I'm shivering even though it's at least 80 degrees outside. I'm still shaken up about what happened just a few hours ago. I had watched the perfect guy, who I was crazy about, hit/kick/slap/yank/knee/bite(yea) my ex-boyfriend who had treated me horribly but, come on, I still cared about.

I'm at the police station, because they wanted to bring me in to question me about what happened. I told them everything, minus the part about the wild look in his eyes. Those eyes. They turned black and cold with hatred as his fists pounded Christian, like he didn't realize what he was doing, wasn't in control of himself. I shuddered again. This was a side of Matt I did not want to see.

After he called 911, he tried to get Christian to wake up fully - he kept going in and out of consciousness - and wrapped his shirt around Christian's bleeding head. It's just occurring to me now that three hours ago, I would have died to see that boy with his shirt off. But at this point, I was very unfocused. I think at some point I may have passed out for a few seconds/minutes/hours. I don't really know what time it is - maybe three or four in the morning? - and I really would just like to go home and sleep. But these people are keeping me here under bright lights to continue to try to get the full story of what happened. They especially are asking me about Matt. Perfect Matt that, up until today, did not have one single flaw. This, however, could be an issue. I've been told violence in a relationship is not good.

My dad went to get me some hot chocolate because I was still shivering despite the humid 80 degree weather, and as my mom stood up to talk to another police officer, I saw Eli run in, hair wild, looking panicked. He scanned the room and when his eyes fell on me, he relaxed a bit and trotted over.

"Hey," he says, worriedly. "I heard what happened. Are you okay?"

"Fine," I murmur, sleepily.

"Are you sure?" he asks quietly.

"Mmm hmm,"

I slide my head onto his shoulder and before I fall asleep I hear him whispering, "It's okay, you're okay," I don't know whether this was supposed to be reassurance to me or him or both of us.

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I only vaguely remember someone (my dad or Eli, I don't know) carrying me out to the car and then up to my bed. I now look at my clock as it reads 12:37 pm. I got up, put my hair in a bun and groggily walk down the stairs.

I was surprised to find Eli sitting on my couch watching a movie on Netflix.

"Um, hi," I say, suddenly aware of my lack of pants. I try to casually pull my long shirt down past my underwear.

He smiles a little. "Hey there," he says, obviously amused at my lame attempt to cover up.

"I uh, didn't know you would be here," I say as I sit down next to him and pull a blanket over me. "Why do you always seem to be around me?"

"Because I've been you're best friend since like, eighth grade?" he answers.

"Luke has been my best friend for almost fifteen years. That proves nothing," I say back.

"I guess you just love me more," he grins and continues. "Anyway, last night you're parents asked me if I would stay with you to make sure you were okay -"

"Did you sleep here?" I interrupt.

He shrugs. "Yea. Not a big deal, your parents seem to some what adore me, but I mean, come on, who could blame them? Anyway, they had to go to work. I just have the morning shift, Abbe will be here in the afternoon."

"I don't need a babysitter," I protest.

"You didn't seem to be complaining when I was carrying you into the house last night," he replies with a smile.