Because You're Mine (COMPLETED)

Chapter 77: Kirstie

I watch as esther walks into the bathroom. She smiles at me. "Hey girly." She says as she kneels next to the tub.

I nod and give a small wave. I scott the bubbles around the top of the water then cup some in my hand and blow them away.

Esther giggles. "You're adorable." I give her a smile. Then she gets in a little closer. "Honey, how come you aren't speaking?"

I shake my head. After Avi walked out I scrubbed my body. I just can't seem to get Jeremy's...everything, off of me. I sniffle.

"Honey, its okay." Esther grabbed my hand. "You're safe here. I promise."

I shake my head again. I was told that last time. I can't let my guard down again. I take my hand back and bring my knees to my chest, wincing at the pain.

Esther sighs. "Cann you at least somehow show me why you won't speak?"

I exhale and put my head down and nod.

You make one sound and I'll kill him.

I hear his voice echo in my head. I slowly make a motion that I'm holding a baby then point to my self.

"Baby? You?" She guesses.

I shake my head. How do I describe Mitch? I end up just drawing an "M" in the air.

"Mitch?" I nod. "Okay so, Mitch and the baby." I rub my stomach. "Baby still in Mitch?" I nod again. I drag a finger across my throat. "Kill?" Her eyes went wide. I nod and put my arms down. I feel myself shake and the tears fall.

I curl into myself and sob silently.

One sound.

I feel him all over again.

One sound.

I feel Esther touch me and I back away and curl into myself.

One sound.

I shrink as far into the corner of the tub that I can when I hear a knock at the door. "Es? Kirst?" It was Avi. Esther opened the door and his eyes I immediately found mine.

He grabbed the towel and walked over to me. Esther opened the drain.

I watched as the water lowered and was eventually gone. Avi opened up the towel for me and I quickly snatched it and wrapped myself up so everything was covered. He offered his hand to help me.

Once I'm on two feet he tilts my head gently. "Are you okay?" His eyes are begging me to say something. I just shake my head and cry into his chest.

He lifts me up and I feel myself being carried. "Esther, can you find her some clothes?" Avi says.

Avi walks over and set me down on my bed as she comes over with one of Mitch's hoodies that I stole and a pair of black athletic shorts with white strips down the sides.

"Uh, Es?" Avi says. "You wanna...do...this? I don't think she'll want me to."

"Yeah." She starts to come to me but i shrink away again. I love esther don't get me wrong, but Avi was incorrect. I do want him. He's the only one I want to even be around. I point and look at him.

He nods. "Nevermind." He chuckles. "You wanna check on Scott and Mitch? I think I saw Scott on the couch with Addalin." She nods, smiles, and leaves.

"Alright, you want hoodie or shorts first?" I point to the shorts. "Alrighty."

He gets my feet through, but then I have to stand. Movement hurt, but I did it anyway.

He was very careful to not touch me above the knee. He was pulling up from the sides which was fine until the shorts got stuck below my butt.

He froze and looked at me. I was still holding the towel to cover my top half. If I pulled up my shorts, the towel would fall. I nodded at him, letting him know I was okay. He quickly pulled them up. Accidentally grazing my butt cheek with his thumb then cringing when he did.

"I'm sorry." He said, standing.

I pat his shoulder, letting him know he was fine. He grabbed the hoodie and looked at it. It was one of Mitch's old hoodie, from before he got pregnant. It was still huge on me though. I lifted one arm at a time as he put it on me. He pulled it down over the towel, and then pulled out the towel.

"There. Comfy?" He smiles.

I feel so bad for not speaking, but I just can't.

One sound.

I nod slowly and sit back down and get under my blankets. I feel sleep creeping up on me as a wave of fatigue washes over me. I feel Avi tuck me in and kiss my hand before coming up to my face.

"I love you. I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you when you needed me. Never again will I leave you unprotected. Kirstin, I am so sorry and I'm asking: can you forgive me?" He finishes.

I see tears in his eyes so I know what he's saying is genuine and that he means it. I nod and cup his face. He leans down and kisses my cheek and my forehead before leaving the room.

I don't even have time to think about anything before I fall asleep.