I Hardly Needed Saving

It's Over

I wake up with a sore body, pain radiating from every limb. It hurts to move—and honestly? I don't want to.

I call for my mom. She hurries in, carrying painkillers the doctor prescribed. I swallow them quickly, and she helps me sit up.

"I'll give you some privacy," she says, leaving me in the bathroom.

I glance in the mirror.

The bruises are darker now, spreading across my jaw, my cheek, my eye. I look...

Ugly. Broken. Hideous.

I don't want anyone to see me like this.

Then I hear the doorbell ring.

I already know who it is.

Yelling erupts downstairs. I stumble to the staircase.

"Let him in, Mom!"

"You're crazy, Lyla! He's crazy! He's not coming in this house!"

"I need to talk to him."

I wink at her. Her mouth drops into an "O". Gotcha. She hesitates, then opens the door wider.

Eddie steps inside.

My heart stutters.

He's wearing the shirt I got him on our six-month anniversary. I feel the familiar pull, that weird power he has over me.

I hate it.

He walks upstairs. I lead him to my room. We sit on my bed in silence. I keep my head down—I don't want to look at him. He knows how to mess with my head, to make me stay.

He gently lifts my chin and touches a bruise.

I hiss in pain.

He pulls back. "I'm sorry."

"For that... or for beating me?"

"Both. Lyla, I love you. You're my girl."

"I'm not your girl. I'm not your property, Eddie. You're a horrible boyfriend."

"Don't say that, baby. You don't mean it."

He kisses my cheek... then my neck.

I feel a flicker of tingles, but it feels wrong.

He kisses my lips, gentle on my busted mouth. His head slips under my shirt.

This isn't right.

I sit up fast and push him away. I stand.

He stands too.

I grab his face, kiss him one last time.

"It's over, Eddie."

"What? No, no, Lyla, you can't leave me."

"I can. And I am. We're over. I'm done with the beatings, the control. I deserve better."

"You little bitch! I wasted so much time on you!"

"No, I wasted time on you. I never loved you. Not after the first day you hit me. GET OUT!"

"This isn't over, Lyla. Watch."

"I'm watching you leave. Bye now."

He raises his hand to hit me again—

But the blow never lands.

I look up.

Seth is holding his arm.

Behind him—my dad.

Ohhh shit. Eddie is DONE.

"You touch her again, and you'll be sorry," Seth growls, jaw clenched, face turning pink with rage.

My dad grabs Eddie's shirt and drags him downstairs.

Seth pulls me to him, sitting on the bed, cooing softly. I sob into his chest, not wanting him to see my broken face.

"Why... why aren't you at school?"

"I was on my way, but I stopped here to see you."

"Thank God."

"I told you I wouldn't let him hurt you again."

My tears start to slow.

He lifts my chin, looks into my eyes. "You don't need to hide your face. You're still beautiful."

I can't help it—I smile.

He kisses my forehead.

"I have to go to school," he says softly.

I nod, walking him to the door.

"Take it easy, Lyla."

"Okay. Hey—be careful. I don't trust Eddie."

"Don't worry. I have backup."

"Backup?"

He grins, grabs my hand, and pulls me outside.

Five badass cars are parked behind his Viper. Rough-looking, tattooed guys—our age—stand by them.

"Wow," I breathe.

"They're here for you too. They just enrolled today."

My smile explodes across my face.

I hug him, arms around his neck. He wraps his arms around my waist—gently, so I don't hurt.

"I can't let these guys be late on their first day," he chuckles.

He kisses my cheek, walks to his car.

Engines roar as they drive off.

This guy is crazy... but in a good way.

A really good way.

He's a good friend.

I couldn't ask for a better one.

⸻

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