Breaking Emily

Measure 3

~ Measure 3 ~

The next morning I did exactly as I was told. I got up and picked out the outfit that Cameron had instructed and did my makeup the same, all while calling ahead of time to order the ticket.

He was waiting for me in the lobby of the movie theater, immediately grabbing my hand and leading me to the seats in the back of our theater. No one else was there besides us and a few old couples, which made me kind of scared. If I wanted to run, there’d be no way of escaping to get help.

This is your only chance, Emily. He could kill you if you don’t do what he wants. Just put on a smile. Make it all an act. Save yourself…

I leaned up and kissed his cheek.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” I said, cuddling in closer to him. His breath smelled of alcohol, like he’d been drinking before he came here. He brought my hand up to his mouth and kissed my fingers, one by one.

“You’re welcome.” he said quietly.

Whatever you do, don’t make any sudden movements. Don’t get him turned on. You’re screwed then.

But my plan didn’t follow through as I’d expected. He had taken my hand and pulled my arm over his waist, slipping my hand under his shirt and over his non-existent abs. Instead, it was like a beer belly. I had to resist laughing. I had a slight smile on my face as I pursed my lips together.

“You’re freaking hand is cold!” he snapped, throwing my hand off of him.

“I’m sorry,” I said suddenly.

He took a deep breath and kissed my cheek, whispering, “Let me warm it for you…”

He rubbed my hand in between his and repeated what he’d done before. I kept my arm still for as long as I could, until toward the end of the movie, he moved it inside the waist of his jeans. He didn’t go further, but I couldn’t help being scared as hell…

After the movie, out on the sidewalk, he pulled me close to him and put his lips on mine. He was more passionate than before, using his tongue as if it was his best skill that he possessed. When he pulled away, I felt like I was going to hurl.

He smiled at me and moved his hands over my waist and down further. This time, I immediately stepped away from him and swatted his arm away, gasping as I realized what I’d done.

“Oh my God, Cameron, I’m so-”

He slapped me across the face, leaving me clutching my face in pain as I cringed.

“Don’t you dare misbehave like that again, do you understand me?”

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him quickly, trying not to cry.

“I’m so sorry. I swear I’ll never do it again.” I said quietly.

Cameron nodded as he told me goodbye and walked away.

I drove home on the back roads that day with the radio on high, playing Ariana Grande’s Break Free on repeat.

I never should’ve gone to that party with Hannah. I never should’ve gotten drunk and kissed Cameron. I never should’ve said yes to him. I never should’ve showed up today. But I did…

“This is the part when I say I don’t want ya, I’m stronger than I’ve been before, this is the part when I break free. Cause I can’t resist it no more…”

I stared out into the distance as I whispered, “Yeah, Ariana. You’ve got it right. But how the hell did you do it…?”

***