Run to You

3

Scott sits across from me, biting hungrily into his burger. How is it he's able to eat normal-sized meals and stay so fit? I've barely eaten in the past few months, and I still feel like a disgusting pig.

But I have to pretend I eat normally when I'm with Scott. I don't want him to worry. I nibble at my salad, praying he won't notice how reluctant I am.

"So what did you and Travis fight about?" I shrug. "C'mon, Mitchy. You gotta tell me something."

"I just did something he didn't like and he got mad about it," I reply, taking another bite of salad. He rolls his eyes.

"You're killing me with these details."

"Look, what matters is that it happened and it's over with now. Details don't matter." My phone buzzes, and I open my texts. It's from Travis.

Travis: I'm so sorry, babe! Please come back. I won't hurt you again, I promise!

I grimace and start to shove my phone back in my pocket, but Scott grabs it. I scramble to try to take it back, but his arms are too long.

"Scott, what the hell?" He starts scrolling through my messages.

"Every time you look at your phone you get upset, and I'm finding out why, since you won't tell me yourself." He keeps reading, his eyes darkening with anger and sadness. After a moment, he hands me my phone. "Let's go home, Mitch. I think we need to talk about something." He pays for our food and leaves a generous tip before taking my hand in his and leading me out the door to his car.

"Scott, I-"

"We'll talk when we get home." His voice is stiff, like it's taking all his strength to contain his anger. I feel myself start to tear up. This is all my fault. He's upset because of me. If I had never come to him, he would still be happy. I squeeze my eyes shut, pushing the tears back. I need to try to look strong in front of Scott.

---

"Why did you stay with him, Mitchell?" Scott's voice is shaking with anger, and I shrink into the couch cushions. "Why the hell would you stay with someone who was abusing you?" He steps toward me, and I flinch, expecting him to strike me at any second. Instead, he sits next to me, and his muscular arms wrap around me.

"I was just so scared," I whisper. "And I felt so guilty whenever I thought about leaving him. He said he needed me, that he loved me. I just... I didn't know what to do."

"Never leave me again." I feel a tear slide down my cheek when I hear his ragged voice. "If you get hurt, I don't know what I'll do." I stay silent. Right now, I'm determined not to go back to Travis. But I was the last time we fought too. And the time before. It's just an endless loop. Scott kisses the top of my head, and I smile through the tears.

Scott is so caring. Why did I ever leave him?

---Flashback---

"I can't just stop talking to him. He's my best friend!" I glared at Travis angrily. It was the first time I stood up to him. I was just so angry. He had just told me I couldn't talk to Scott anymore, and I wasn't having it.

"Yes, you can. And you will. I've told you before, Mitchell, there will be consequences if you don't listen to me."

"No, Travis. I'm done. You can't tell me what to do. I'm going to talk to Scott if I want." The taller man loomed threateningly over me, but I refused to back down. Scott had always been there for me, ever since we were ten years old. "If you can't accept me being friends with Sc-" His fist slammed into my jaw, knocking me backwards. It was the first time he had hit me. Before, he just insulted me and bossed me around. He never took it this far.

I just sat where I had landed, staring fearfully up at my boyfriend.

---End Of Flashback---

"I won't leave you again."

"Promise?" I don't want to leave him again. I don't plan to. But I don't know whether I will. I look directly into his hopeful sky blue eyes and give him a smile.

"Promise."