High Buns, Suitcases and Cigars

High Buns Suitcases and Cigars | 33

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"My father was... was tough. Militant like actually. If you did something wrong, or did something that was incredibly stupid or senseless, he'd strap you to a metal pole in the basement. Legs, hands and your torso. He made you stay down there for two days, with no food, no water, no bathroom. Like a caged animal in my opinion. After those two days, he'd come down, and he would stare at you, walking around you, silent. You'd be shaking, wondering what he was going to do to you, wondering how much pain he would inflict on you. He always started off with throwing scolding hot water on you - not enough to burn but enough to cause excruciating pain. He poured it from the top of your head, warning you to keep your eyes closed. It was... it was terrible. It felt like standing in a pit of fire. Then he'd take his longest leather belt, making sure the buckle part was in view, and whipped you, for ten minutes straight. No stops. I-"

"Stop. Please Rowen, you don't have to go on." Gwen was shaking, tears pooling in her eyes. She was clutching the sheets, her knuckles turning white.

I grabbed her hands, prying them from her vice-like grip. "Hey, hey I'm sorry. I, I just thought you deserved to know. You're the first girl who I've ever told about my past."

She gave me a thin smile, before looking down as she whispered, "I'm surprised you didn't tell that girl Marnie first."

Damn! She had to bring her up didn't she?

Why didn't I tell her? She had a right to know, right?

No! All she was was a bitch to you.

But I wasn't exactly an angel toher either.

Still...

You don't know her! You're not close to her!

"She doesn't deserve to know. We barely know each other." I said, regretting them as soon as they left my mouth.

Gwen pulled back, her eyes scanning my face frantically. "What? What do you mean she doesn't deserve to know?!"

"She do-"

"No! Rowen, she deserves it okay? After what I saw your guys arguement, I realized that you haven't been exactly nice to her."

"She provokes me. Plus, we don't know each other." I growled, now frustrated. Why the hell was she taking her side?

"So? Did you ever tell her why you're so hostile towards her? Huh? Imagine how she feels. Do you even know why she ran away? Here she is, already in pain and broken, running away from her family, and then she's suddenly staying with a guy who's hostile and cold towards her. Calling her insults and being rude."

"Gwen I-" I started, the guilt starting to wash in like a tidal wave.

"Do you not realize that by insulting her, calling her names and hitting her caused her more damage? What if she already hears that by her family? She doesn't need you to join in, too." She said, her features full of anger.

I stood stunned, taking in her very words. Was I a monster like she said? Was I?

"How do you know all this? How I treated her?"

She sighed, pulling back before running a hand through her hair.

"I could tell from you guys little argument, plus, I know how she feels. I've seen my friends go through it, my brother, and even me at once. Not as bad as hers probably is, but I know how it feels, how she feels."

I couldn't look at her. Not after what she said, because I knew that she was right, that what I was doing was inexcusable and unfair to Marnie, but a part of me still didn't care.

"Okay. I'll tell her, but not now. Maybe in a few weeks maybe?"

"Few weeks!? Rowe-" she started, but I cut her off.

"I'm not ready to tell her everything. I still hate her." Not really. "We need space, a lot of space." For her sake. "And you can't blame me for all of it, she plays a part in this, too." No its all me, not her.

The look in her eyes held defeat as she got under the covers. "You have to tell her though." Her voice was serious as she propped herself up on one hand.

I nodded. "Sure, but I rather do something else then talk about all this." I mused, smirking. A smile broadened on her lips as she patted the space beside her.

"Come on then." She whispered, winking. Without a second thought, I got under with her, immediately attacking her neck and face with kisses. The more I kissed her, the more the guilt and memory of Marnie and my dad washed away, until all my focus was on Gwen.

Author's Note: So sorry for the late update!