Mistakes

10

        I hesitated before I walked into my house. The lights were on and I imagined Ian was probably up, waiting for me. Mason had hit me a few more times before he dropped me off at my house. My shoulder was throbbing and my neck was bruised with handprints. I had handprints on my wrists and blood dried on my forehead and my arm from when I fell, rather when I was pushed. I took a deep breath and walked in. I stopped when I saw him popping something into his mouth. He coughed and wiped his mouth and then looked over when I stepped on the creaky floorboard. His jaw dropped when he saw what I looked like.

        "Jesus Christ Zoe!" he exclaimed as he came over, worry filling his eyes. 

        He lifted his hand to examine my wounds but I flinched and tensed. He sighed and pulled me into a hug. I relaxed and rested my head on his shoulder.

        "Why did you go see him?" he asked, his voice slightly muffled by my hair. 

        "It was an accident," I responded automatically, even though that's not what he asked. 

        "No, it wasn't and you know that. I'll talk to your dad about getting a restraining order."

        "No, please don't do that. When he finds another girlfriend, he's going to do the same thing to her and I can't let that happen."

        "You always think about others, but it doesn't seem like you think about yourself." he sighed.

        "That's ok."

        I woke up the next morning on the couch next to Ian. I had figured out that pill I saw him take. It was some drug, as a painkiller. He wouldn't tell me anything else. I opened my eyes and saw him passed out, his arm draped around my shoulder. I slipped away and walked towards the kitchen. It was almost ten o'clock in the morning. I heard my phone buzz on the kitchen counter. I reached over and grabbed it, only to see a text from Mason.

Mason; bby Im so srry, I dnt know wht happened to me! I never wnted to hurt u and I dnt know y I just lost control. u'll forgive me righ?

        I didn't respond because I heard footsteps make their way into the kitchen. I turned my phone off and set it face down on the counter. Ian yawned as he walked in. 

        "Goodmorning, how'd you sleep.," he asked as he ran his hand over his face.

        "Good, you?"

        "Good. How are you today?" he asked.

        Everything hurt. Every time I took a breath, it hurt. 

        "Better." I lied. 

        He nodded silently and then yawned. I walked forward and wrapped my arms around his neck. I leaned up and kissed him but he pushed me away gently.

        "Zoe, we can't do that anymore. I'm sorry I kissed you, and I-" I cut him off with another kiss. 

        This time he kissed me back and rested his hand on my lower back. He raised his hand up until it was touching my cheek as we continued to kiss. I didn't expect him to stop so suddenly. He dropped his hand from my back and my cheek and shook his head before he turned and walked away. I stood there, and I felt nothing. I couldn't feel the pain from the bruises anymore. I just lost the one person who had wanted to help me. The one person I trusted besides Emily. But, Ian was dating Emily, my sister, not me. I picked my phone up and replied to Mason.

Me: Yeah

        Ian pretty much avoided me for the next hour and a half. He stayed silent as he watched t.v on the couch. I walked past him and up the stairs. I hopped onto my bed and just layed there until I got a text from Emily.

Emily; Hey, how is everything going?

Me: Good, wbu?

Emily: School sucks lol. I just texted Ian and he didn't respond. Is he sleeping?

Me: I'm not sure,  u want me to see and wake him up if he is?

Emily:...maybe... I am coming over today ok...I have some exciting news.

Me: Oh, ok...do I get to know right now? lol

Emily: Here's a pic.

She sent me a picture of a, wait, was that a pregnancy test?

Emily; I'M PREGNANT!!! :)