The Summer of Ryland

20. What's Another Lost?

Eliza's POV

It has been almost three weeks since the altercation between Asia and Ryland. I sat them together and he apologized to her. She threatened to go to the police but after much persuasion, she didn't. Even though she didn't go to the police it didn't stop her from trying to get me breakup from him. "What makes you think he won't do that to you? Or worse." Her harsh and truthful words. I didn't know he wouldn't do that with me. I should have left on our first date but I was too far gone. My mother kicked me out of the house when she finally noticed that I was at Ryland's house for a couple of days.

I came home I saw my clothes packed in suitcases by the door. Candles were burning and the aroma of cookies permeated the living room. Looking at George, he mouthed the word 'sorry' and pointed me into the kitchen. My mother sat on the dining room table and looked at me. Cookies and milk sat on the spot I usually would occupy. My mother gestured for me to sit down and I did.

"Eliza, where have you been going in and out of my house?" she questioned. I looked at her not knowing what to say.

"I was with Asia," I lied. She smiled at me. I knew she had something up her sleeve.

"I know you weren't. I am going to ask you again. Eliza where were you?" I sighed ready to tell her the truth.

"I was with my boyfriend." She stood up slowly. I followed her with my eyes as she made her way over to the counters.

"Eliza I can't have you coming and going as you please. Since you want to act like an adult you need to get out of my house." I gasped in shock and she looked away from me. I got up from my chair and went after her.

"Now you want to act like a mother?" I yelled. She kept walking towards her room but I followed her.

"Don't let the door hit you on your way out," she said. 

"You don't have to be such a bitch!"

"This is why you're leaving. Until you get some sense don't come back." I huffed and went towards the door to gather my things. George got the rest of the things that I left over and helped me to my car.

"I'm sorry Eliza. Imma talk some sense into her." I briefly looked at him and went back to putting the things in my trunk.

"Hey. Let me call your dad. He'll take you," he offered.

"Don't bother. Bye George." I got in my car and drove it down the block. Once I noticed that I was a good enough distance away from my home I parked. I broke down crying and pulled out my phone, calling the only person I could. Ryland.

Living with Ryland was not good. He hasn't hit me like he did Asia but he has been handling me roughly. Just the other night he dragged me by the arm because I forgot to clean up the kitchen after I made our dinner. He hurt me so badly that I had gotten a bruise on my wrist and rug burn on my side. He said that he didn't mean to hurt me like that but I didn't know what to believe. I should have put the things away. It was his house and I needed a place to stay. He was my only support at the time.

"Eliza? Girl, are you listening?" Asia asked me, waking me up from my dreams.

"No girl I'm sorry. Say it again." Looking at me, Asia grabbed my hand.

"How is Ryland treating you? Has he done anything?" I rolled my eyes at her. She dropped my hand and folded her arms, smacking her lips in the process.

"E. I'm worried about you. I know I said I forgave him but I don't. And I can't live with myself if he did anything to you." I looked at her with a bored expression hoping that she wouldn't see my actual emotions. He was all I had, I thought.