I Hardly Needed Saving

Bruises, Lies, and Coffee Dates

Eddie usually picks me up for school, but today I leave early and decide to walk.

The morning is breezy and peaceful, sunlight filtering through the trees. I can't help but smile. I glance at my ugly cast. Hmm... maybe Seth can draw something cool on it—make it less boring.

About halfway to campus, I stop at a small coffee shop down the road. I walk in, order a frappuccino with whipped cream, and wait by the counter.

The bell above the door chimes.

I turn—and there he is.

Seth.

A smile spreads across my face.

"Hey Seth, what's up?"

"Just getting some coffee," he says casually.

"Mmm, cool."

My drink arrives, and the cute barista hands it to me with a flirty grin. "My number's under the cup, cutie."

"Thank you." I wink at him as he walks away. Seth and I burst out laughing once he's out of sight.

Seth grabs my broken arm, inspecting the cast. "It could use a little color."

I nod. He lets go, grabs his coffee, and jerks his head toward his car.

"Let's go."

"No, I'm walking."

"Come on—we should make an entrance."

That devilish smile—ugh, he's so sexy. I cave, following him outside. He's right. We should make an entrance. I wonder how Eddie's going to act. He probably stopped by my house, got yelled at by my mom, and now he's furious.

⸻

When we pull up to school, all eyes are on us—especially Eddie's. His face is pure rage. Everyone else? They're eating up the drama.

My heart pounds like a racehorse.

Seth looks at me, grins, and winks.

He gets out of the car, comes around to my side, and opens the door. I step out, drinks in hand, and we walk toward the building like we own it.

Eddie storms toward me. He grabs my upper arm tightly.

"Eddie, you're hurting me!"

"That's not even half the pain you're gonna feel," he growls in my ear.

He starts dragging me away. Seth freezes, but before he can react, Eddie locks eyes with the crowd and everyone suddenly looks away. Cowards.

I glance up at Eddie and spot it—a black eye. Good. He deserves worse.

"Lyla!!" Seth yells.

I turn my head, eyes full of fear. Tears spill down my face. Seth starts running toward us.

Eddie grabs my face, kissing me hard, bruising my lips. Pain shoots through them.

I try to push him away—he backs off slightly—then smacks me across the face. The blow sends me crashing onto the grass.

"YOU ARE MY GIRL—NO ONE ELSE'S! YOU BETTER START ACTING LIKE IT!"

Everyone stares.

Humiliation. Pain. Fear.

It's only the second day of school, and this is happening again. I can't do this anymore.

Another blow hits me—and everything goes black.

The last thing I hear is teachers and cops shouting, and then—silence.

⸻

******

I wake up in a hospital bed.

The light is harsh, but the pain is worse.

I glance around and see Seth sitting in a chair beside me, his head in his hands. Through the glass window, I see my mom and dad waiting outside.

"Seth?"

He looks up, rushes to my side. I reach for him, but pain slices through my back and ribs. My tattoo burns.

"Don't move, Lyla. He beat you up bad. I tried to get to you, but... his friends were holding me back."

"Do you have a mirror?"

Seth hesitates, grabs a circular mirror off the wall, and hands it to me.

"Give it to me, Seth."

I look.

Scratches cover my face. My jaw's bruised. My left eye is swollen.

I start to cry silently, dropping the mirror.

Seth pulls me into his arms—gently. It hurts, but it's also comforting. I feel safe. His warmth, his scent—it's everything I need.

He coos softly, kissing my forehead.

He calls for my parents—they rush in.

"Baby girl, are you okay?" my mom asks, tears in her eyes.

I nod through the pain, still holding on to Seth.

"Sweetheart, Seth saved you," Mom says. "If he hadn't pulled Eddie off of you, you could've bled to death. Your insides are badly bruised."

"Where's Eddie?" I whisper.

"In jail," Dad says firmly. "You don't have to worry about him."

"Dad, his family is the richest in the city. He can get out whenever he wants."

"I won't let him hurt you again, Lyla," Dad growls.

We all glance at Seth—my protector. He kisses my forehead again.

Then the door opens—and in walks the same doctor from before.

Oh. My. God.

"Hey there, Lyla," he says.

Shit. Not him again.

"How's the baby growing?"

Silence.

My mom and dad turn to me with horrified faces.

"Lyla, what is the meaning of this?"

Seth and I both burst out laughing, even though it hurts like hell.

"It was a joke," I say through giggles. "Me and Seth played a prank on the doctor last time."

Relief floods their faces.

"Well," Mom says, "the doctor says we can take you home today."

"Good," I groan. "I'm starving."

⸻

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—Heather 💜