Strange Attraction (editing/rewriting)

VIII

As I vigorously caked-on makeup, it felt like I could still feel Finn's hands on my body. Pushing me onto the floor. My scalp ached as I thought about him pulling my hair. I went to cover up the bruises and could feel Finn's mouth on various parts of my body- licking and biting. I was suddenly overcome with a feeling of asphyxiation as I remembered being choked by a belt and Finn's bare hands. My back was no better as I saw the multiple open wounds from the belt being cracked over my body.

Being Saturday, I call out of work in advance, making some lame excuse (as lame as my dog ate my homework) as to why I can't come in or do the work home for the next week.

During my weekend, and week off, I moved in with Gordon and Atticus after telling them that Finn and I got into an argument where we spewed some hurtful things. I didn't go into any detail, all they knew was that the fight was psychologically taxing.

I wanted to move from my apartment to their quaint household as soon as possible. The move was for me to feel safe since Finn still had a key, but I had told them that I didn't want to be bothered with all of Finn's drama and needed a place to stay.

Gordon and Atticus were always on the move, but they were in town for a few months before having to travel again. Gordon had agreed to help me get my things from my old home while Finn was at work on Monday. Atticus used to be good friends with Finn so he agreed to talk to him and figure some things out.

Sleeping in my friend's house, on the first night, was incredibly hard. I loved Finn, I still do, but it was hard to separate the Finn I knew from the drunk one. I dressed in an oversized pajama shirt and a pair of pants to sleep alone in the small bed. It was odd sleeping alone in such a small bed. I missed Finn's touch. I missed how he would kiss the back of my head as we were about to go to sleep. I missed how he leaned over me to turn the light off. I missed how he would rest his hand on my stomach and slightly squeeze before wishing me a good night.

I missed the old Finn. The one that wasn't possessive. The one that was gentle and nurturing. The one that was in control of his emotions.

I ran my hand along my stomach to get rid of the lingering feeling that I needed something to be there.

It wasn't until I saw the sunrise that I finally fell asleep.

I felt my body being jerked back and forth as Gordon sat on my bed shaking me. I sat up rubbing my eyes as he sat there. "There's breakfast downstairs," he said. "Oh my god! Did he do that?"

"Huh," confused, I stop rubbing my eyes and squint at my friend who sits in front of the shining window. Gordon was a man of a boyish build. He looked like every other ginger with pale skin dotted with freckles and green eyes shielded by yellow eyelashes.

Gordon gently pulls my arm down from my face and motions to the mark around my neck, which I immediately cover-up. "Olivia, we're not stupid. You've got a busted lip and a popped blood vessel in your eye. Now, this."

"I'm fine, really." I pull my shirt up to cover the hand printed bruise.

"Liv, we can help you."

"I said I'm fine. Leave it alone." Gordon gets up from the edge of the bed and looks back before disappearing around the corner of the door. I get out of the bed to get dressed in my trusty green turtleneck and the first pair of jeans I could find.

I joined the couple in the kitchen to eat breakfast. Atticus was similar to Finn-looks-wise. They both had ink-stained skin and nose rings. One of the major factors that set them apart was Atticus's slender frame and diamond-shaped face. He looked like Jesse Rutherford, in a way.