Not Everything Is As It Seems (Reconnected, finishing in progress)

Revelation

As I lay broken and shattered on the floor, sobbing, I ask myself how I got here, how did I end up in this situation? I heard a car pull up in the driveway. Not wanting to be seen, especially by Colton, I gathered myself up and bolted up the hallway into Mike's bedroom and into his shower. Mike sat on his bed having a conversation on his phone.

I prayed the water from the shower would wash all the dirt and filth away but just to add insult to injury it only washed away the sweat and dirt from my body. The dirty feeling left was all in my mind and no amount of showers or baths could ever get rid of that.

By the time I had gotten out of the shower Mike was no longer in his room. I dug through his shirt draw pulling out the first one I found, put it on then jumped into bed, curling up into the fetal position. I held myself and cried until I fell asleep.

The next morning my throat and jaw hurt like crazy. Mike either didn't come to bed or had already got up. I walked into the bathroom to look in the mirror. My cheek and throat were red and inflamed, my eye had a grayish blue bruise on the corner of it. I turned to look at my back. I looked like I had been tied with a rope around the neck while a horse dragged me behind it and continually kicked me. I applied a stack of foundation to the marks, thanking my lucky stars I had left myakeup bag here by mistake, then ran around furiously trying to find clean clothes for school, I had to run out to the boot of my car. Nobody seemed to be home so I got dressed and left for school needing so desperately to see Colton but reframed from calling or texting him.

I pulled up into the school car park watching all the smiling happy kids wander around the front of the school. Colton leaned against his car with his hands shoved in his pockets, fake smiling at all the slutty juniors lined up to talk to him. Giggling annoyingly, flipping their hair, batting their eyelashes. Eww... Wait, what was he doing here?

I got out the car marching towards the bunch of bitches on heat, jealousy getting the better of me. Intent on marking my territory I suddenly remembered my bruises. How was I going to explain them to him?

The crowd parted before me making me realize I had frozen in place trying to work out what I was going to tell him. He saw me before I had a chance to leave and work it out before I saw him. He rushed to me wrapping one muscular arm around me whe using the other to hold my chin and move my head around so he could examine the damage.

"I needed to see you, even if it was only for a minute... he did this to you, didn't he baby girl" he asked half worried half wild with anger.

I couldn't say anything, I just fell into him sobbing, my body shook violently as the memories came rushing back.

"shh baby girl, it's ok I've got you, you're safe now" he cooed in my ear stoking my hair.

'I have eyes everywhere' Mikes voice echoed in my head. He would found out some way or another and when he did Colton would pay. I would too but I wasn't worried so much about that. I had to be strong to protect Colton.

I reluctantly pulled away from Colton pulling myself together. Wiping the tears from my eyes I took a deep breath.

"I made a mistake Colton, I can't be with you. I am so sorry I lead you on" I said trying my best to swallow down the lump in my throat.

At first he looked hurt, a flicker of heartbreak in his eyes. But a second later something like recognition crossed his facial expressions.

"what did he do to you"

I couldn't answer, how could I. If I did he would confront Mike and end up hurt... Or worse, dead.

"you're afraid of him aren't you? That's ok I understand. We'll sort it out. Do you really think id believe you just like that? I know you're afraid. If you just stick to our plan everything will be ok, I promise you, I really, really need you to trust me and stick to the plan. Can you do that for me baby girl?" he held my face in his hands stoking my cheek with his thumbs.