5sos Imagines (ig//@valentiineafi)

Imagine 7 - Abuse

     "What the fuck is that, Lea?" Calum asked suspiciously, his eyebrows furrowed together. He had just accidentally swiped his finger against your cheek, a bit of your heavy foundation coming off on it. It revealed the nasty red mark that your boyfriend's hand had left on you when he had struck you the previous night.
     "Probably just acne scars or something," you lied. You were certain he could see right through, though - he wasn't stupid. As of right now, it could've been acne scars, but if he wiped any more of your coverage off, he'd see that it was way worse.
     "Why do you stay with him?" he asked.
     "Why not?" you countered almost too quickly, sticking to your backstory. "It's fine; he's- he's fine."
     "But are you fine?" he asked. You couldn't answer. You didn't want to lie to your best friend, but you feared what he'd do if he found out. You hid your face into his shoulder, shrugging.
     You knew you weren't fine. You've been living through the constant tormenting, if you could even call it "living." This physical and emotional damage you were forced to endure on a daily basis was definitely not "fine."
     "I swear I'm going to beat his ass back to where he came from when I get the cha-"
     "I'm alright." You chuckled to lighten the mood. You still layed here cuddling with him on your couch, but if your boyfriend ever found out he was ever here, he'd flip.
     With no warning, Cal used the back of his hand to wipe off more of your makeup, removing the majority. You looked up at him, speechless.
     "What the fu-" he said immediately.
     "Please calm do-"
     "I swear to God I'm going to murder this piece of shi-"
     "CALUM," you yelled. No one could finish a whole sentence without being interrupted by each other, so you yelled to get his attention. "He can't find out about you. He'd hurt us both."
     "There are guys out there that are so much better for you, Lea. Guys that genuinely care about you, for one thing," he cried. It shocked you, but it was true. He was crying softly, unable to bare the thought of your boyfriend with the audacity to lay a finger on someone as pure as you.
     It explained why you apologized after everything, even after bumping into a chair, as well as how you always claimed to be "busy" when he wanted to come over - the times when your wounds were most fresh.
     "There's so much better," he repeated. He stroked the side of your face.
     "You really think that there's someone out there for- for me?" you asked.
     "Out there," he said, pausing briefly. "In h- here...?" You were taken aback. You had no chance to respond before he grabbed your cheeks lightly and placed his lips on yours. You flinched as his hand made gentle contact with your skin, but that was just reflex.
     As he pulled away, he was blushing - hard. In a cute attempt to hide his bashful smile, he looked down.
     "Please leave him," he begged, your smaller hands being securely held in his.
     "I'm scared," you admitted. "I'm stuck, Calum, and-"
     Interrupting you, was the sound of a key entering your lock; he was home. He fumbled with it, and you whisper-yelled at your best friend to hide. You couldn't imagine what your attacker could and would do to both of you. Following your request, Calum ran off to hide somewhere in your house. It was perfect timing, it seemed, as your boyfriend had just managed to get in.
     "H- hi, baby," you greeted. You walked up to kiss him, the smell of alcohol lining his initial scent. He didn't even kiss back. Unsure if he heard you, you repeated yourself, "Hi, baby."
     "Mhmm," he growled.
     "H- how are you?" you asked, trying to start conversation. He didn't answer so you asked again, "How are you?"
     Before you knew it, you were pinned firmly against the wall by your neck. The squeezing on your throat caused your anxiety to build up, panic rising through your blood. You struggled to breathe, the only thing in view being this monster holding you against the wall.
     "IS THIS THE ATTENTION YOU WANT?" he screamed in your face.
     You physically cringed back at the smell, but said nothing. Shaking your head, a tear fell down your left cheek. As it reached your chin, all weight on your throat was lifted off. You collapsed on your knees, panting, almost unaware of what had just happened. Now, all you saw was Calum throwing multiple punches to your boyfriend's face. Once you regained the ability to stand up, you did. You walked over to them and lightly put your hand on your best friend's shoulder. He stopped immediately, and looking up at you, his features softened. His glare of hatred towards your boyfriend transformed into a gaze of adoration as he turned to you.
     "I'm sorry, it's just that h- he-"
     "Shh, it's okay Calum." You stroked his shoulder in assurance.
     "How could he just-" he started.
     "Who's this fucker?" your boyfriend asked you, his face bloodied and bruised. "Is this the toy you've been fucking behind my back, you slut? This is why no one will ever love you; you're unfaithful, you're a b-" he slurred.
     "You're a monster," Calum spat. "How the hell could anyone be so fucked up towards such an innocent person?" It baffled him what you or anyone could possibly do to deserve this shit; how anyone could be so cruel.
     "Let's go," Calum said, taking your hand. He turned towards your aching attacker on the ground. "And you," he pointed, "are never going to come near me or her ever again, got it? If you do, I swear to God I will kill you."
     As you got to his apartment, you spoke your first word since you left. The whole ride home was silent.
     "Thank you," you whispered.
     "You're so strong," Calum said, his voice shaky. "The fact that you could put up with his shit for nearly 2 years now-"
     "He wasn't always like this," you said. Not that you were defending him, but you were still shocked at how someone could change so much from loving and caring, to ruthless and low.
     "I don't want to rush things, but I really love you, Lea."
     "I love you too," you said, making him smile goofily, "but I don't know what to say." You've loved him for a while, but would've never dared to admit it. He was your only happiness - your break away from your monster of a partner.
     "Kiss me," he suggested.
     "Kiss me," you mocked, pretending to think that's what he wanted you to say.
     "No silly, don't say it, do i-" he corrected. You interrupted him with a kiss, surprising him. His eyes widened in shock, but eventually eased themselves closed as he melted under your touch.
     "I understood Cal, don't worry," you whispered against his lips, giggling.