Brave Enough

Thirty

This chapter takes place from James's two-year relationship with Colin.

"Billie hurry! We're going to be late," Nyssa shouts.

"You can't be late to the club. I'm almost ready," James fumbles with her heels. "Nyssa I need help!" She shouts. Nyssa appears in her doorway. "I think I messed up my makeup."

"You look fabulous! Now come on. Dash and Leila are waiting for us at the doors," she says. James laughs and follows Nyssa down to the Uber they had ordered. "You have your fake right?" James nods.

"Billie Malina?" the man in the Uber asks.

"Yes. Are you Campbell?" The man nods. The girls slide into the back of the Uber and set off for the night club they had been waiting to go to all week.

      "Can you believe Sarah? She's totally cheating on Dash. That little slut. I'm going to tell him tonight," Nyssa says. James just rolls her eyes.

      "Dash they're here! Y'all are always so late!" Leila shouts over the loud music.

****

       "Man, Colin. You need to let loose. You'll never get a girl with that sour attitude," Bailey, Colin's partner, says. "Come on we're young, hot, and single at the hottest new club in town surrounded by over a hundred smoking hot college girls.

"Okay fine," Colin says. James walks by laughing with Nyssa and Leila. "Her. She's beautiful. She's the one," Colin says. He follows her to the bar.

      "Ugh soo many cute guys. Maybe I'll get lucky tonight," James says. She reaches for her drink.

      "I wouldn't drink that if I were you. That guy over there put something in it. Plus I know a fake when I see one," Colin says from behind her.

****

       "Mind your own fucking business, Nyssa. Or you'll regret it," Colin says.

       "She is my fucking business. That girl is my best friend you can be damn sure if I notice something is off I'm going to confront the source. I know you hit her. She won't fucking admit it because she's terrified but I know you do it. You've isolated her from almost everyone in her life. Colin, you are nothing but a parasite."

****

      "I'm so sorry for your loss baby girl. Do you want to come home? Cleo misses you. I miss you. I can try to get you a plane ticket home," Noemi says. "I know Mrs. Shaikes will want to see you."

      "I.. I don't think he'll let me leave. Plus I have class," James stutters. Her tears fall to her lap. "I'm not feeling well either. And I'm so tired all of the time. Maybe I'll see what I can do for Christmas. That's in a couple of weeks."

      "Okay. I love you, Billie. I'll call you when I pick up Cleo. She's going to want to talk to you. Be safe baby girl," Noemi hangs up.

*****

       "One day you'll learn to be more careful Billie. Then I won't have to fucking hurt you. Every time this happens it's your fault. I wouldn't be doing it if you weren't so stupid." Colin slams his foot into James's stomach. Her body lifts completely off of the ground and falls back down her head slamming on the floor. "If you're not going to get the abortion willingly you'll get one by force." He kicks her again. He kneels down to straddle her before lifting her head and repeatedly beating it into the hard floor. Colin blacks out from rage and relentlessly beats James.

*****

       "Billie, where are you?" Colin calls out. Her body lies on the floor swollen and bleeding. She turns her head towards him trying to look at him but her eyes are swollen shut. "What did I do?" Carefully Colin scoops her up and puts her in the car and races to the hospital.

      "Please someone help. My girlfriend, I think she fell down the stairs or something. I came home and found her lying unconscious at the bottom step," Colin fake cries. The nurse takes one look at James and furrows her eyebrow at him.

      "You said she fell down the stairs. Honey this woman was beaten. Severely might I add? She's going to need surgery and a lot of pain meds. Maybe when she's awake we'll get the full story." Colin glares at her. "Don't try me, boy. You don't scare me in the least. Now get out of my way. I have a child to save. Come on sweet girl let's get you some help." A second nurse moves James into a room.

*****

       "Right now? Adam, I'm kind of busy right now. This can't possibly wait?"

         "I'm sorry Colin I'm sure I just heard you wrong. You're a cop deal with it. Get down to the scene now."

*****

       "Hello, James. Do you remember me? I'm nurse Adeline. I was the one your distasteful boyfriend brought you to. I'm a friend of a friend. I'm getting you out of here. Conrad get her in the wheelchair. We need to move fast. Our friend doesn't have much time to save," Adeline motions to the wheelchair.

      They move quietly through the hall checking every corner before turning. "Okay, So James you will be going back home to LA. You are not to be known as Billie as long as Colin Timers is alive. James promise me you'll stay away and stay safe. Promise me, James!" Adeline says.

"I... Promise... Thank... You..." James says weakly as Conrad puts her in the car.

"You're welcome sweet girl."