Painting

Chapter 52

After four days, you get used to it. Teddy just comes at the same time with food, every night. He seems really happy. I'm too scared to tell him, how I feel. I haven't texted Victor or Tyler. I don't think they are worrying about me. They have other things to think about. Teddy is gentle with me, he hasn't touched me yet, apart from the hugging and the forehead kiss every night. I spend a lot of time on my laptop, writing poetry. I miss Victor, a lot. Tyler, I dream about him a lot, but I don't know how I feel about him. I wonder what he did with the painting he was doing a few days earlier. I feel sad all the time. No music, no food, no tv shows, no cold or warm showers, no matter how much water I drink, nothing helps with it. I even take naps, something I never do. When I wake up from these naps, for a second I'm back in Victor's bed. When I look outside the window, for a second, I'm back on the cushions of the living room, with Tyler painting me. I've been crying myself to sleep every night. I feel guilty, I don't know why and it's crushing. Their hands, theirs fingers, their gentle touch. I'm craving Victor's lips on my skin. Tyler's soft and compassionate look on me.

However, I've been doing an awful lot of exercise lately. I dance in my apartment, I go on walks. It helps me forget.

Today, I'm going to take a long shower and dress up casual. I'm going to kick Teddy, out of my apartment. Then, I'm going to see my parents. Let's do it.

I jump under the shower and sing badly. 

I walk back into my room and lay out my clothes. Leggings, skirt and a cute tee-shirt. I do a bit of make-up and put on some perfume.

When Teddy knocks on the door, I basically fly to answer.

-You look great tonight.

-Thank you.

-Are you going to let me in?

-No, not tonight.

-Why?

-Because, I'm busy.

-Busy?

-I'm going to see my parents.

-We can go together.

-No. You're not my boyfriend anymore.

-I've been coming here for four days straight, actually tonight is the fifth time.

-Yes and tonight, I'm putting my foot down, you are not my boyfriend, so stop coming here. I ask for the double of the key.

-This means nothing to you?

-Teddy, I moved on and you need to move on too. You can't keep me locked up somewhere. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a dinner to attend to.

I try to close the door, but he pushes it violently. I back away.

-What's your problem?

-Now, listen to me, young lady, I did far too much, for you to just walk away like that. You will not talk to me on that tone.

-Get out of my apartment!

His fists begin to tremble. He closes the door and locks it quietly. I need to call someone, but I remember that my phone is in my room. Teddy hasn't turned around yet.

He turns around and pushes me against the nearest wall. He wraps his hand around my throat.

-Listen, now, you little ingrate. I've been controlling myself a lot lately, but being around you is rather intoxicating. I did my best to give you your space.

He chuckles darkly.

-Now... What am I going to do with you?

He takes my wrist and drags me toward my bedroom.

-I installed a lock on your bedroom door, while you were away.

I try to push him and scream.

-No. Let me go!

He trows me into the bedroom. I quickly try to open the door. He locks it and says:

-For now, I think we need some time apart. You need to think about all the things I've done for you.

I knock on the door with my fists.

I quickly run out of energy. I slowly slip on the door.

-Let me out, you sick fuck! You can't keep me in here!

I sob loudly.

-Please... Let me out.

I grab my hair with my two hands. I think about my phone. It's on the nightstand. I take it and lower down the volume. If I call my parents, he'll do something to them. If I call the police, he will handle it pretty well. If I call anybody, he will hear me and burst into the room, to take my phone away. I need to text someone, but there is a chance that they won't see it.

Just do it.

Alright, so I'll text Tyler.

The door opens quickly, I'm still holding my phone. Teddy's eyes widen when he sees it. I start to tap the words really fast. He basically jumps on me. I only have the time to send "Help". He grabs my phone and looks at the screen. It only fills his anger even more.

-I'm really sorry, please don't...

I can't even finish my sentence. Tyler already answers.

Tyler: What's going on?

I try to take my phone back. He pushes me on the bed with one arm and trows the phone on the wall. It won't have any scratches, I paid a lot for the cover. I try to get up and he just pushes me back.

-Don't try to get up once more. We need to talk.

-Stop it with that, we already tried and look at where we are right now.

-I need you to stay here.

-Please, let me go.

-Why don't you want to be around me?

-Because you need help, you are creepy and I want to be as far as I can be from you.

Teddy grabs his own hair and shakes his head.

-No, I need you. You don't understand...

He gets on top of me and grabs my arms.

-You don't understand. If.... I don't.... Have you. I'm nothing.

His lips are trembling and his eyes are gleaming. It's like he's about to cry. He falls on the right side. He begins to chuckle a little bit. He takes my chin and turns my head.

A dark smile stretches his lips.

-You're mine and you always will be.