Reasons||m.c.

fourteen

fourteen//

The tension between Michael and I was slightly awkward when I saw him that night, hanging out at Calum’s house. Cal had been released from the hospital and we all went over to hang out with him.

Michael deliberately sat next to me, rather close.

“Jade, can we talk?” he whispered.

“About what?” I asked, even though I clearly knew the answer.

“Don’t pull that with me,” he murmured benevolently, close to my ear so the other boys wouldn’t hear us conversing. “You know what I want to talk about.”

I looked around at the other boys, engrossed in whatever ignorant movie they let Calum pick.

I grabbed his hand limply and pulled him with me, standing up.

We snuck soundlessly from the living room.

Calum’s family was out, so I had no worry of getting caught by anyone.

I pulled him into the foyer of the house, then going up the staircase to make sure no one heard us.

I sat at the top of the staircase and he sat down next to me.

I waited for him to start.

“So, Ash told me about Kai,” he said quietly. “And I’m really sorry that happened to you. That was extremely shitty on his part and no woman ever deserves to be treated that way. You trusted him and he turned on you. I understand that you have trust issues now and it makes you not want to be with me. Well, be with anyone for that matter. But, Jade… I love you. And I know you love me. We’re letting this thing from the past get in the way. I know it’s hard to get over and believe me, I don’t want to rush you into anything. I will wait for you when you’re ready, Jade. I want to be with you. I want you to know that I love you. Kai may have said he loved you, but I can guarantee you that was bullshit. No one loves somebody and does that to them. I truly love you and I need you to know that you can trust me. I would never do anything to hurt you. I want to make you my world. So, at least think about it… Please.”

“I do love you, Mikey,” I said quietly. “A lot, actually. I want to be with you, too. I want to be your world. I want you to be my world. And I do trust you. But I still need some time. He scarred me for life. And after what happened the other night, I j-”

I stopped short when I realized I had yet to tell Michael about the attempted rape.

“What happened the other night?”

Might as well get it all out now.

“I was almost raped,” I said. “The night I kicked you out, I was really sad and I got drunk, and Ashton called me after you talked to him. He could tell I was drunk and he told me to wait out front of the McDonalds. Some homeless guy tried to rape me but Ashton got there just in time.”

He asked the same question as Luke. “How far did he get?”

“He pulled my pants down,” I whispered. “And started to… to r-rub me. You know, o-”

“I know what you mean,” he said, wrapping an arm around me tightly. “Did Ashton beat the shit out of him?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.” He didn’t show much sympathy, but I didn’t mind. I actually prefered that. It gets tiring of hearing “you don’t deserve that” or “stay strong” or “I’m here if you need me” after a while. Besides, what do you say to someone who just told you someone almost raped them?

I looked up at him and admired his beauty and perfection.

“But, anyways…” I whispered. “I just need some time, right now. I hope you understand. With the car crash and the other night, and Kia. Just give me some time. I need to adjust to some things right now and get a grasp back onto a normal life.”