Her Escape, His Safe Haven

Chapter 16- I Blame Me

Elliot's POV

How could I let that happen to her? How could I be so dumb as to leave her alone like that? I promised her I wouldn't let him hurt her again. She told me what he's done, why did I just assume she'd be safe at the studio? He broke her rib! He cracked her skull open! This is my fault. We aren't going to school until he's gone. We aren't leaving the house, I'm not risking it again. I can't.

Seeing her crumpled up on the floor like that... She was bloodied and bruised. She was hurt. She was unconscious, and I felt sick. I saw her and of course I tried to wake her up, but nothing was working, so I called my dad. He had to know what to do, how to help her. It took a moment for him to understand me, I may have been screaming at him... It was horrible. Her breathing was shallow, her pulse was weak.... I couldn't do anything to help her. My dad had to kick me out of the room, I was being distracting more than I was helping. 

Right now she's laying in my arms asleep. I haven't been able to fall asleep for a few reasons. One, I'm freaking livid about what happened today and two, I have to keep waking her up so she won't slip into a coma from the concussion.

"Athena, sweet girl.... show me those beautiful eyes." I told her sweetly "You have to wake up my love." I shook her lightly and her eyes fluttered open. She looked at my face and a beautiful, bright smile lit up her face.

"Hi." She croaked out 

"Hi beautiful, I'm sorry I had to wake you up again." 

"It's okay Eli. I appreciate you not letting me slip into a coma." she chuckled and then winced in pain.

"What hurts?!" I asked her frantically.

"Everything." she said quietly. I reached up and lightly caressed her cheek.

"I have an idea princess wait here and don't fall asleep again okay?" 

"Okay." She smiled.

I got out of the bed after placing a gently kiss on her forehead and headed to the bathroom. I started the bathwater and turned it warm. I found some bubble bath under the sink that must be Deliah's and poured them in the tub. When the tub had enough water in it I turned off the tap and went back to my room where Athena lay awake on my bed just watching the door.

"How does a bath sound?" I asked hoping she liked the idea.

"Incredible honestly." She smile and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Here, let me help." I picked her up off the bed and carried her to the bathroom. I set her on her feet in front of the tub. I turned to leave but she grabbed my hand stopping me.

"I think I need help. I hurts to lift my arms up." She looked down shyly. I gulped but nodded my head. I know for a fact she isn't wearing a bra because I helped her get dressed back at the hospital.

I walked back to her and grabbed the hem of my shirt that she's still wearing from yesterday and slowly began lifting it gently off her. I looked away from her as hard as it was, because I didn't want her to think I was being creepy or something. When her shirt was off her hands came up to cover her chest in a shy fashion. I placed a gentle kiss on her cheek and turned to leave again. Once again she stopped me though.

"This is embarrassing...I uhm I don't think I can get my shorts off either." She wouldn't look in my eyes. She's nervous.

"Don't worry about it beautiful, I can help." I told her sweetly. I hooked my fingers into the waistband of her tight yet stretchy shorts and slid them down her legs keeping my eyes on the bubble in the tub. Trying to distract myself from the fact that I'm undressing the girl that I have hopelessly fallen for. "Do you need help getting in?" I asked and she nodded "Okay give me your hand, I won't look" I told her. WE got her in the tub safely and she sank into the water. "I'll be out in my room beautiful, call me when you want to get out."