Stop in the Name of Love (Completed)

Chapter 8

Sunshine floods the room, I'm used to fighting for sunlight to reach me but in such an open space it reflects into ever corner. The warmth feels so good it's intoxicating, I should have been dressed ten minutes ago but I don't want to move.

Jordan was gone when I woke up. It was a little upsetting, he was there when I fell asleep but no where in sight when I woke up. I would have gone looking for him if not for the sinking feeling that he was trying to get away from me. The scars probably freaked him out, I'm sure I'm not the first girl he's been with but I'm probably the first covered in scars.

I look down at my chest, I need to put my shirt on and get ready for work, but my skin aches for the bright warmth. That is, until I see some of my scars. Some came from broken glass, others from knifes, a few from other household objects like lamps or small statues.

I feel disgusted and move back to the bed to find a shirt in my bag. I pull out the green top I found in a box of my mother's things, it's loose and boxy on my small frame, but I like it because it shows my collarbone, one of the few spaces on my body that looks normal. I slide on one of the new pairs of jeans Jordan got me, they're soft and fit like a glove. Looking over myself in the mirror and aside from my bangs getting a little long, I actually think I look really good for once. I brush my bangs to the side to hide the fact they need a trim, it amazes me how normal I look for once.

The sound of someone knocking on the door pulls my eyes from my reflection, "Who is it?" I call out.

Rosie opens the door and quietly steps in, "Ah, nice to see the jeans fit as nice as the tops, Jordan had me help him pick out the clothes he bought," She gestures at me to spin for her and I comply, "My god, a perfect fit. You look stunning!"

I match her smile but quickly look away, "Have you seen Jordan this morning?" I start pulling at my fingers and looking in the mirror again.

Rosie comes to stand next me, looking at our shared reflection, "Yes, he's been downstairs in the kitchen for almost two hours. He's worried for you. I don't know what happened last night but it made him very concerned. Did he do something wrong?"

I shake my head, "No he just... It was just something he didn't expect. I should have thought about it, it's my fault."

"I'm sure that's not true. Even if it was, he doesn't care, he's been in the kitchen waiting for some sign that you're awake so he could make you breakfast. Yet here you are looking ready to walk out without saying goodbye," I see her scold me.

"I didn't... I thought he was avoiding me," I brush my bangs to the side again.

Rosie lets out a high pitched laugh, "You really think that boy is avoiding you? Jordan would walk through lava for you! If I were you I'd get my butt down there and go talk to him before he paces a hole in the floor."

"What if I'm no good for him? No offense Rosie, but you don't know much about me."

Her smile fades, "I think I know you better than you'd like to admit. I recognize a lot about you, and I think I know what you're going through. I won't force you to share but I definitely will not let you put yourself down or sell yourself short."

I hang my head in embarrassment, I feel Rosie gently pat my shoulder before giving me a light push towards the door. I take the cue and make my way down the stairs. My heart starts pounding as I stand in the entryway to the kitchen. I'm afraid last night upset him, I don't want to make it worse.

He sees me standing there, he looks surprised, "Hey... You're awake."

I nod and take a couple steps closer, my fingers hurt as I pull at them. He stares at me for a couple minutes before shaking his head and walking to the refrigerator.