ATOMS OF YOU

32

My eyes opened exactly at seven in the morning. I forgot to set the alarm, last night Alex and I went to sleep really late, I don't know what time was, maybe three in the morning. We could not finish such a good day without making love, some good ass sex before sleeping. I ran to have a quick shower and put something on. Mark would pick me up today to get to college, I didn't wanted to bother Alex or make him wake up early if he didn't have to. I got myself ready in fifteen minutes, packed a fruit to have some breakfast during the day. I had everything ready. Mark was waiting for me outside, he lived near Alex's neighborhood, so it wasn't a problem, I was on the way.

— I'm going to college, babe, Mark came to pick me up, call me later, okay? –I whispered while I tried not to bother him, he grabbed my hand not letting me go, I smiled and bent to kiss his soft lips— I love you, my man, sleep while you can.

Mark was waiting me outside, bumping the car with Kim Petras' new album, mornings were like this with him.

— Good morning, darling. –he greeted me the moment I opened the truck's door and got inside— I'm even more sure that you're dating an old man.
— What? –I grabbed his Starbucks drinks for a sip, and laughed— He's not old, he is older than me, but not old like a sugar daddy. I told you he is thirty.
— Okay then explain me why I came to pick you up on the Hollywood Hills, he must be rich as fuck.
— Can we please not discuss my boyfriend's net worth? Plus, it's something I don't know, and don't care neither, let me be.
— Well, yes. In fact we should discuss what's going on with Victoria. Yesterday she was like crazy and almost had to shoot her a reassuring dart, she wanted to fight Sophia really bad.
— Can't blame her, I'd too.
— Isla, she was out of her mind, acting like crazy, she kicked her luggage to the street. –I choked on his coffee, and almost dropped it
— You saying that she was with her luggage? –I asked leaving his coffee where it was and wiping my lips— Seriously? Mark I think she's sleeping in the streets or something, where would she stay? She is alone in here, that's weird.
— Do you care? –Mark asked me a little mad
— No, but...–he interrupted me
— Stay with that. Don't care. She doesn't deserve it. She is a violent piece of shit. I know it and I've seen it, Victoria suspects, but if you fuck up I promise I'll tell everyone.
— I know, I just...–I grabbed my face with my two hands, trying not to get anxious— I don't know what you people expect from me. Should I report it? Should I get into a domestic violence survivors program? Should I tell the world? Should I tell her mom? Should I make her lose her Visa to get into the country? Because I don't know Mark. I just don't want to see her anymore. I want to be with Alex and be happy with my friends. I know I don't deserve any of this and I don't want to be through it again, I want her far from me. But please don't judge me.
— I don't, Isla, I don't judge you and I don't have any expectation. Just stop trying to understand what's her going through.
— Mark, I'm not a bad person, I'll never be, I'll never be half what she is, sorry if being a better person is my mistake.
— Just please, don't go to that dark place where you care. Last time you cared, you called me crying because she did it again. Please don't.
— There is no way. Take my words.

The moment he parked, we hugged for some minutes and I thanked him for being such a good friend, for keeping secrets with me and always having my back. Today things would've been totally different without him and his words. He is my supporter. He knew the right words at the right time.
We got into college to get our first class together hoping Victoria would join us, but she didn't. Mark and I were both worried, even more than before. After all the chaos from Sophia's 'visit' she wouldn't say anything. Yesterday Mark tried to calm her down, but she didn't say anything about it. She even acted like nothing happened. On our first break, Mark took my money and went to buy us something to eat, while I would get Vee all alone to talk to her. I sat next to her and grabbed her by the clothes, not letting go.