He Owns Me

Part 46

Kayden wasn't home, so I left a note on the side.
I'm going to work. Don't pick me up, I'll make my own way back.
I grabbed my bag and then headed off making my way to work. Well, technically. I am going to the Diner, but I'm not working, I'm going to meet someone instead. I slipped in my earbuds and quickened my pace, my anticipation starting to kick in.

As I got into the Diner, I received a text saying that they were in the booths, so I made my way there.
"Hi." I said as I slid into the booth, all the girls' eyes on me.
"Hey." Hannah said. Lucy and Becca were also smiling at me, which calmed my nerves.
"Uh, thanks for coming, I really really appreciate it."
"Of course." Becca said.
"So, what did you want to tell us?" Hannah asked, biting her lip.
"I want to apologise to you all. I'm so sorry. Seriously. I was so caught up in my feelings that I didn't think about yours, and thats something a terrible friend would do." I splurged out. Becca, who I was sitting next to me, hugged me straight away, the warmth from her body relaxing me.
"Of course we forgive you Amy." Lucy piped up. "And were all sorry about cheerleading." She added. I half smiled. Since I sat down, Hannah hadn't said anything, she just stared and listened. Becca and Lucy exchanged looks.
"We have to go, but before we do, we just want to say that you are so strong, and brave, and a fucking badass." Becca winked, causing me to laugh. "Don't let a boy take that away from you." I moved out of the way for Becca, both of them hugging me before leaving. As Lucy hugged me, she whispered in my ear.
"I'm so sorry about your mom, you are doing so well." I smiled and mimed a thank you before sitting back down and breathing out, focusing all my attention on Hannah.

"Are you sure it's okay if I sleep round?" I asked after a couple seconds of silence.
"Yeah, my mom misses you." She half smiled. "I missed you."
"I missed you too. Ive had so much shit going on recently and I've really just needed my best friend."
"I want to know everything, okay?" She asked, causing me to nod my head straight away.
"Of course."
"Do you want to talk about it here? Or do you want to go home and talk?"
"Uh, go home." I said. We both stood up and walked out of the restaurant, walking towards her car.

"Amy! It's so good to see you." Hannah's mom said as she engulfed me in a hug. "How are you? How are you coping?" She asked, me understanding what she meant straight away.
"Mom." Hannah warned, but I shook my head.
"It's fine." I turned back to her mom. "I'm good, getting there. It just feels a little lonely sometimes, you know?" She nodded her head.
"Just know that Hannah and I are always here for you, Okay sweet?"
"Thank you." I smiled. We talked for a little before Hannah I made our way to her bedroom.
"Just like the old times." Hannah commented as we made ourselves comfortable in her bed.
"Yeah." I replied. Hannah didn't say anything else, just awaited for my explanation.
"Okay, so, everything leads back to Kayden. Everything's about Kayden, and I just wish I saw it sooner." I paused. "I'm gonna tell you this, but please don't tell anyone, especially Dylan."
"I won't." She promised.
"As Kayden became more controlling, one day he became really mad and he hit me." Hannah widened her eyes but didn't say anything.
"And then there was another time when he came home really drunk and he started touching me." I felt my eyes starting to prick, as this was the first time saying what happened out loud. "AndI didn't want it, so I told him, but he kept on going." The memories started falling down my cheeks as I looked at Hannah, her welling up too.
"Please don't tell me." She whispered lowly.
"No, no. I managed to stop him before it got any worse." She sighed in relief.
"But after I forced him to stop, he said, 'I don't know what I expected, you don't give anyway.' And then just left." By this point, I stated to shake, the realisation of what he was doing actually hitting me.
"He's not right, Amy. You did nothing wrong." Hannah said, her eyes glossy. "Can I ask you something?" I nodded my head.
"Why did you stay with him? Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"I had no one to tell. I couldn't tell my mom because she would have made me leave him, and I loved him. I wasn't friends with you so I didn't have you to tell. I felt trapped, but I was also in love with him, so I guess I was blinded from the good parts."
"Or you just chose to ignore it." I flicked my eye up to Hannah, knowing fully well she's right.
"If I just fucking left Kayden." I cried. "I'd still have my mom right now." Hannah pulled me into a hug, her grip warm and safe.
"Your mom is so proud of you, and she loves you. Do you think she wants to see you like this?" I shook my head. "You can't blame yourself for this. Absolutely not." She pulled me away from her, wiping my tears with the pad of her thumb.

It's a lot later now, and we were about to go to sleep when Hannah suddenly turned and faced me.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I just need to remember I have you, Yana, Becca, Lucy. Dylan." I breathed out.
"Goodnight Hannah."
"Goodnight Amy."