The scars on my neck...

Chapter V

I woke up alone and filled with regret. I couldn't believe I'd let that happen last night. I took my phone off the bedside table. Gabby had texted me.

"Hey, Nate. Just wanted to check up on you." The text confused me, how would she know anything that was going on in my life?

"Im fine?" I answered back, making sure I didn't let on anything.

"I've been worried about you ever since I saw the bruises on your cheek, I didn't want to say anything, but anxiety got the better of me."

"Oh, I'm fine." I typed simply.

"Can you be honest with me?" she paused for maybe 30 seconds and sent:

"Who hurt you?"

I didn't know what to say. He'd crossed some lines last night, it's true. But, I'd let him. I couldn't tell her he'd hit me and done that to me. She'd think...

"I did it to myself don't worry" I typed. There we go, the full, complete and honest truth.

"Nate, please talk to me... I'm sure you know what im thinking." She typed not missing a beat.

Damn, she was good.

"What are you thinking?" I typed, still trying to keep it under lock and key.

"Is Ryder hitting you?"

I didn't answer.

"Well Nate, your silence tells me he is."

I still didn't answer.

"In that case... you gotta get out of there."

I had nothing to say.

"You can't let him take advantage of you like this"

I finally spoke- well typed- up.

"No, it's not like that. He doesn't hit me out of hate or anger. He does it because he needs to get his hurt out somehow. He loves me and im okay with it, by the way."

"... Nate... you don't even sound like yourself." That sentence hit me harder than Ryder ever could.

"I'm still me. This is nothing Gabby, I swear."

"If only you could see from my side..." she typed back.

"I'm gonna go. Don't worry, im completely alright."

"Nate... please don't let him do this to you..."

I didn't answer. I knew she wouldn't understand us.

The rest of the day passed normally, like any Sunday. Until 6 o'clock.

I heard the doorbell ring. I wasn't expecting anyone, at first I assumed Ryder was.

"I'll get it." He said, standing up and opening the door.

"Nate! It's for you" he called to me. I got up and saw Gabby standing there, wearing a thin dark grey jacket.

"Oh, Gabby? Hi? Good to see you. Come on in" I said, hinting at my confusion.

"Thanks." She said, walking inside.

"I just came here to check on Nate." She said.

Ryder paused for a second.

"Check on him? He's fine." Ryder said, crossing his arms, much like an edgy teenage girl.

"Yeah, Gabby. I feel great." I said, smiling.

"Ryder... Nate told me you've been hitting him,"