Dangerously Devoted

13

The car ride there was quiet; Arden hadn't said anything the entire time. He looked out the window silently and kept his eyes towards that direction, never once looking at me.

I pull the car to a stop at the front of my house as I move my gaze towards his bruised fist resting on his lap. It was clenched close, just how it was at the store like it became a current habit or reflex.

He's clinging on to the force in his squeezed fingers, immensely making the bruises look worse than before. These bruises were recent, and They were fresh. You can almost see the bruises fading into their aching shade of purple and black, and partially green and blue.

Every bruise was switching colors, even the ones that I hadn't even noticed before — he had bruises covering his left cheek. He has gotten into a fight, he took a punch straight to the jaw, and in return, he probably beat the crap out of the other guy.

My eyes travel back down towards his hand briefly. His fist wasn't clenched anymore, and they were relaxed and calm. I look back up at Arden, only to find him staring back at me with his bright green eyes.

Not once when I examined his cheek did he turn to look my way. I should've known he wasn't overthinking once his hand wasn't clenched.

I noticed how close I was to him, we were nearly exchanging breaths, and all he did was stare back at me, speechless with one of his eyebrows suddenly raised.

I pull back as fast as I realized I was invading his space, "I'm sorry- that was weird, I was honestly just-"

My sentence is cut short by a low chuckle. My eyes wander to Arden as he continues to laugh, "It's okay, Mia, can we go inside now?" He says, gesturing his thumb, pointing at my house.

I nod without further conversation as I push open the car door, taking in a whiff of fresh air before leading Arden to the front door and into the house.

I lead him into the living room to rest while I run and grab the safety kit, a water bottle, and a pack of frozen peas before heading back to the living room.

As I turn on my heels, I stop cold in my shoes as Arden admires the painting of my mom, dad, and sister. Pain begins to shoot through my stomach as my throat becomes dry. I hadn't looked at that painting once, besides the first time it was made.

Seeing someone study the painting, my body forces me to remember and reminisce. A tear slides down my face, and I wipe it away with my forearm as fast as it comes.

You can not break down in front of him again.

I won't allow it.

As Arden makes his way back to the couch, I sit down everything before reaching for my glasses on a nearby shelf and securing them over my ears to block out my tears.

I open the kit getting ready to patch up a few cuts, and then I notice a smile appear across Arden's lips.

"What?" I say, dabbing an alcohol wipe on his fresh wound.

He leans in towards me, reaching his hand out. I pull my body back a little as he pushes my hair behind my ear and glides his finger across the frame of my glasses.

"I didn't know you wore glasses" Arden smiles again, his voice strong and delicate at the same time.

Heat rises upon my cheekbones, and I almost pray he doesn't see me blush, "uh- yeah, I've always wore glasses, I've just recently stopped wearing them."