Elijah

Chapter 3

The clanking of dishes hitting each other as I finished up washing was the only thing to be heard. Cameron left a few minutes before the boys had left. I was surprised they hadn't heard it. My phone sat on the counter with three missed calls and five new text messages. I sighed and dried my hands after letting the water out of the sink. "Leave Right Now" began to play on my phone indicating that Cameron was calling again. I quickly answered and began to walk towards the stairs to my room. "Hey, what's up?" My head pounded with each step I took up.

"Elijah, seriously are you okay?" I sucked in air before pushing my door open and locking it. I heard music playing on his end and knew he was down in his basement.

"I'm okay, Cameron. Chris and I just had a fight. So I had to make him food. As for the cut on my head. that was from my own fault, I fell going up the stairs. Hence my bruises. Seriously, its okay. It's not the first time I fell going up that stupid marble." Sinking into my warm bed had me sighing with pleasure. My limbs became flimsy and my eyes started to flutter.

"I don't believe you, Elijah. But I guess I'll leave it go. I'll see you tomorrow then?" I nodded , even though he couldn't see me. "Are you nodding, El?" I laughed breathlessly.

"Yes, I'll see you tomorrow at school." The music faded and a door closed.

"Okay, goodnight, EL. I love you." My heart skipped a beat and my body calmed.

"I love you too, Cam. Goodnight." The call ended and darkness clouded my eyes.

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Voices woke me up from my sleep. A yawn leaving my mouth. "Is she asleep already? It's only nine-thirty?" My mothers voice was outside my door.

"Let her sleep, love. She's just tired." My dad now speaking. Their footsteps becoming distant within seconds.

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My alarm began to ring causing a groan to escape. "Stupid clock." My feet hit the floor and my knees became weak. Maybe I got too much sleep last night. Pounding on my door startled me.

"Get dressed now! We're going to be late for school." Chris screamed on the other side. I jumped thinking he was going to come in. Running towards the bathroom I stripped as fast as I could and jumped into the cold water. Not caring about the goosebumps that had formed. I didn't want to test my brother today. Bubblegum scented conditioner ran down my back as I washed it out. The air was fogged over as the water became warmer. A towel now wrapped around my body. "Elijah, are you almost done?!" I whimpered and held the towel tighter before opening the door. I guess I was testing him today.

"School starts at eight-thirty and it is only seven-forty three. I have plenty of time. If you want to go to school so early, be my guest. I have to cover the bruises you left on me. Unless you need me to go now, 'cause I have no problem telling anyone why I have them and who caused them." His eyes widened slightly before they narrowed. He knew I was winning this. I was tired of not fighting back. I wasn't weak like this.

"If I don't see you today in school, Elijah, I will seriously hurt you." A smirk made way onto my face before I sneered at him and stepped closer into his space.

"Go on, I fucking dare you too. We'll see how long you can keep doing this before something happens to you. Because I will gladly lower you into your grave with a smile on my face. That is a promise." He stepped back and smacked me once again. I only smiled before looking back at him. "You hit like a bitch." His eyes hardened and he stepped forward, but I stopped his advance when spit shot out of my mouth and all over his face. "I suggest you back off, brother. I'm tired of letting you abuse me. I didn't take self defense classes for no reason. Fuck off." I stepped back into my room and slammed the door closed before locking it. A smile formed on my lips at the sudden confidence that I never possessed when it came to Chris. My body was now dry so I jogged to my closet.

My phone began to ring again. I answered quickly. "Unlock your door. I just saw your brother leave and I wasn't going in because I know he hates me, plus I want to punch him. So unlock your door and let me in." I laughed and hung up before unlocking my door and letting Cameron in. His eyes widened at my attire causing me to gulp. His foot kicked the door shut before he stepped towards me. His fingers resting on my bare hips. Green lace undergarments sat upon my body making his eyes wonder. "Have I ever told you that you have a beautiful body?" I laughed and nodded my head. My fingers prying at his hands so I could get dressed. I glance at the clock and it read seven-fifty five. His eyes followed mine. "I think we have plenty of time for me to show you how serious I am." I looked down and took in his beat up boots and jeans. A blush forming on my face.

"I don't know if you can handle me Cameron." I stepped back into my room from the closet and glanced up at him. A warm smile on my face. His eyes darkened ever so slightly and I saw his jaw tick. He looked me in the face as he stalked in my direction making me back up to sit on my bed. He stopped in front of me, his breathing heavy. I glanced at the clock again and looked back towards his tall figure. "What are you waiting for? We have school soon." A huff came from his mouth as he lightly pressed his lips to mine. My eyes closing on impact with his.

"I'm gonna make sure you know just how beautiful you are. And school is out of the picture today, baby." My eyes widened and I quickly pulled away. Backing up into the bed and shoving Cameron away from me. He stood back with confusion written across his face. "El what's wrong? Did I do something. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you." I shook my head and looked down.

"We should probably get going Cameron. I have an art project presentation today." Cameron nodded and walked into my closet before coming back out with bootcut jeans and a baby blue t-shirt. White sneakers were in his other hand. I looked at him with a frown. He knew I preferred dressing up.

"Don't give me that look, Elijah. You have bruises all over your body. And I know why. Cut the crap with me. Just put this on. We don't want questions to be asked right now." I nodded my head and began to get changed. I felt his eyes looking at every curve I had as I pulled the jeans up. "So beautiful, you know?" I shook my head.

"Flattery won't get you out of the dog house. How long have you known?" He grimaced. His jaw locking slightly from his anger. I grabbed my bag and walked out of my door. His tall body following me downstairs to his truck.

"Since yesterday. I'm hurt you wouldn't tell me what Chris was doing. How long has he been doing this to you? Has he done anything else to you?" We crawled into the truck and he started it. I watched as he backed out onto the road and shifted into first gear. His eyes glancing at me every now and then. Sighing I turned towards him. School was five minutes out. Telling him now would give me the chance to make a dash for it.

"He's been doing it for a long time. I didn't want to worry anyone with it. It was something I could handle. He hits, shoves, and kicks me. He is very controlling. I don't know what I did to him, but he thinks I belong to him. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Cam. I just didn't want you to worry about it." We came to a stop in the upper parking lot and he locked the doors. I cursed slightly knowing my plan to run wasn't going to work. He shut the truck off and looked at me. His knuckles white from gripping the wheel to hard.

"Elly, you are my concern. I fucking love you and if anything were to have happened to you, I'd be devastated. This isn't something you can handle alone. I'm feel sorry that you couldn't tell me this. What has he done to make you so reserved, baby? This isn't like you. You don't belong to him, Elijah. You belong to me and I'll be damned to see him lay another fucking finger on you're beautiful skin. I will always worry about you. Tell me, has he touched you inappropriately? And be honest with me, El. Please." I looked down. Memories of Chris touching my legs and chest last Christmas when he woke me up. I bit my lips, tears forming in my eyes as I glanced at the man in front of me. More memories of Chris leaving bite marks on my neck and the taste of him on my lips. Nodding my head was all the I could do. Cameron grabbed my hand and pulled me onto his lap, hands grabbing my face and making me look him in the eyes. "Elijah, tell me what happened before I kill him right now." His eyes searching mine. I noticed tears were in the corner of his own and I wiped my thumbs over his. Pressing my lips onto his, he pulled away. "Please, Elly. I need you to keep me sane right now before I hurt someone. Where did he touch you?" I grabbed his hand and placed it between my thigh.