Breaking Slowly // h.s. au

Chapter Thirty Nine

Chapter Thirty Eight
*Elsie*

Songs-
Angel With A Shotgun- The Cab
Heartache On The Big Screen- Five Seconds Of Summer
Voodoo Doll- Five Seconds Of Summer

"Please Alex." I begged as I could feel a sharp pain building on my already bruised ribs, "They're already bruised." I sighed.
"Elsie, Elsie, Elsie." He shook his head kneeling down so he was face to face with me, "You remember our deal."
"We never worked out the details but yes." I slump against the trunk of the willow tree.
"I get to do whatever I like, for however long I desire." He smirks gripping my jaw, "Any objections."
I grit my teeth and hold my tongue, the last thing I need is for him to become agitated.
"Good." He throws me away like trash and delivers a harsh kick to my hip.
"Jesus." I mutter under my breath as I lay my hand across the inflicted area.
"Whew! That one was a workout." He chuckles darkly wiping imaginary sweat from his grow while I breathe heavily against the dirt, "But I'm not done just yet."
He picks me up off the ground and holds me against the tree with a hand wrapped around my neck.
I take a deep breath before he adds pressure.
"Pity... you're so..." His eyes soften for what seems like a fleeting moment. The harsh ice blue fading to a light frost as his lips twitch, "Hopeless." And then it's gone. He finishes his movement with a harsh slap to my cheek and then he's gone along with the lingering feeling of his words in the air.
"Worthless." I mutter under my breath, shaking my head and leaning back against the tree.
It had been three weeks since I agreed to his terms. I agreed to be his personal punching bag in return for Harry's safety. I didn't regret it though, because Harry was safe.
I gathered enough strength in me to stand from my sunken position against the trunk and slowly amble out of the opening in the branches.
*****

"You need to tell him."
"I can't"
"But you can"
"No. He'd be in danger."
"He's a big boy he can fight his battles."
"That's the point Vi- it's my battle... not his." I sigh raking a hand through my hair.
"You still need to tell him, or tell someone Wrenn. Alex is beating you until you are black and blue..." Her voice fades into a whisper.
"I can't... it's horrible to be hurt every day and I would never want that for him." I shake my head absentmindedly as I pace in front of the school.
"He's stronger than you Elsie, he can take it." She grumbles trying to tread lightly.
"You don't know that... Violet- he'll leave."
"No he won't. That son of a bitch loves you no matter what you say."
"I-," The sound of tires on asphalt catches my attention as I see the familiar black car pull into the parking lot, "I have to go, he's here."
"Okay babes." She sighs, "Please, just tell him- he'll help you."
"I'll talk to you later Mathers." I sigh before ending the call and walking to the passenger side of the car.
My shoes hitting the asphalt is the only noise aside from the hum of the engine.
My hands start to get sweatier as I wonder if I applied the foundation well enough to cover the bruises.
My heart starts to beat louder as I see his captivating green eyes cutting daggers through me.
My lips press firmly together as I slide in the car and prepare myself for the same lies to roll off my tongue. 'I was studying' 'I lost track of time' etc...
"Hey babe." He smiles widely, a smile that kills me as it only reaches the corners of his lips instead of his eyes.
"Hi." I smile weakly fidgeting with my hands as I stare out the window.
"Wanna come back to mine?" He asks as if it would be any other way.
"Yeah... I mean if that's okay..." I rub my clammy palms on my jeans before meeting his eyes.
"It's fine love." He smiles at me again before he pulls out of the lot.
Silence. Again there is nothing but the hum of the engine and the incessant tapping of Harry's fingers on the steering wheel. But we don't speak. I don't say a word in fear of breaking down on the spot. I just need the ten minutes between here and his apartment to get myself together.
In. Out. In. Out.
I take deep breathes as I try to keep the tears at bay.
Which works mostly... except for one stupid tear that slips down my cheek. The soft fabric of my sleeve wipes it away as I try to recompose myself.
You're okay Elsie.
You can do this.
"Babe?" Harry's voice breaks the silence. I take another deep breath before answering.
"Yeah?" I smile lightly looking towards Harry.
"So I was thinking..." He trails off, his hand sliding along my thigh.
"What were you thinking?" I ask with a breathy laugh as I place my hand on his.
"Maybe I could take you out...?" He smiles, his voice razing a few notes.
"I would love that." I lean forward and press my lips against his cheek.
"Really?" His grin finally reaches his eyes as they twinkle before me.
"Yeah. Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise." The Cheshire cat has nothing on this curly boy.
"Fine, fine -but you know you don't have to... right? I mean I'm not really a traditional girl... I don't need stuffy faux French waiters and stupidly over- priced food." I smile over at Harry as he pulls up into the parking lot, "I don't need to see you in nice clothes- even though you would look amazing as ever- I'm not a traditional girl Harry." I place my hand on his cheek and run my thumb along the soft skin, "I just need you."
His eyes shine with an unknown emotion as his eyes scan my face.
"Plus I don't have anything to wear." I pout, a laugh escaping my lips in a puff of air. My light chuckle has nothing on Harry's loud laugh that echoes through the car.
"You'll look beautiful in anything." He says coming down from hysteria.
"No." I laugh holding his hand tightly.
"You have a way with words Else." He smiles pressing his lips to mine, "You're gonna be a writer someday."
"What? Writer? I want to be an artist." I say.
"Writer- Artist- Musician- What next? Dancer?" He smirks.
"You know I can't dance for shit." I laugh reaching for the door handle.
"Oh trust me- I know." He hooks an arm across my shoulders as we walk to the main entrance.
"Shush it." Our laughs mix in the cold air as our fingers are laced and his arm is over my shoulder. Our laughs are still floating when I feel the irrepressible ache in my torso and they still fill the air as I cling onto Harry and try to memorize this moment so I can replay it in my mind when he's no longer here for me cling onto.