Never Told You

Chapter Nine

 "Well, you learn fast Lauren. I'm highly impressed. I would trust you to watch and grow these plants on your own. Are you going to be here for more training tomorrow? The sooner we can get it done, the easier it'll be on everyone." I nodded.

"I remember how to get here, so I can come in." He smiled then excused me. I grabbed my sweater and left out the door. I assumed I'd be walking home since River's car wasn't here. The sun was setting, and my ribs were starting to ache like they had this morning. I was uneasy as my feet started hitting the pavement. I didn't pay attention to where I was, but my feet knew where to carry me. Eventually, I arrived home without any troubles. I was able to let out a breath of relief as I unlocked the door and walked in. Alyssa was sitting on the couch eating pizza.

"I ordered some pizza for you if you're hungry." Her voice was distant.

"Thank you, Alyssa. I appreciate it. I also want to say I'm sorry. I should've listened to the advice you gave me. You're not a fake friend, and you're a great person. I'm sorry for not acknowledging that." She nodded her head and smiled at me.

"I wasn't expecting an apology, but thank you. We are still friends, and your apology is accepted." I smiled, actually feeling half decent. I winced as I reached up for a piece of the pizza.

"Hawaiian? My favorite." I smiled and took a bite. My shirt lifted with my arm, and I didn't realize it.

"Lauren..why is your entire side bruised?" I widened my eyes as I pulled my shirt back down.

"Um..my ex Hunter is out of jail, and he found me.." I cleared my throat and dryly swallowed my pizza.

"Why would he track you down and beat you like that?"

"It's a long story. I don't want to get into it tonight. I promise we will talk tomorrow. Thanks again for the pizza." I sat my pizza on the counter and walked into my bedroom. I closed the door behind me and threw my sweater on the ground. I then popped some ibuprofen into my mouth and crashed onto my bed. I was dead tired, and it didn't take long for me to fall asleep.

My phone was buzzing under my pillow. I was getting a phone call. I checked the time and it was three in the morning. Who could be calling at this hour? I looked at my phone, it was River.

"Hello?" My throat was dry, and I needed water.

"Lauren, I'm outside. You need to come get into my car through the back entrance now. Hunter found you, and he is inside your building. Please, get out here quickly." I dropped my phone and flung out of my bed. I threw my shoes on and picked my phone back up. I flew out the back door, and ran to River's car. I got into his passenger seat and instantly slumped to keep myself out of everyone's sight.

"How do you know he's here?" I cleared my throat, trying to make my panic not evident.

"I followed him to make sure he didn't hurt you again. He has a friend. Alyssa isn't here. She left to go hang out with Julian." I nodded in acknowledgment.

"Let's go. I don't want to be here." River then revved his engine and took off. After a few minutes, I realized he wasn't going back to his place. I couldn't speak, and just assumed he'd keep me safe.

"It'll be an hour at the most to get to where we're going. I can only hope you'll like it as much as me." I sighed and looked at him.

"I don't know that I want to go anywhere that's an hour away. There's a lot at stake right now." River glanced at me as he continued to drive.

"There is a lot at stake, and your safety is one of those things. I think it's at the top of the list. If you don't, that doesn't make you a bright person." My eyes widened in surprise. I took offense to what River had said.

"River, my schooling is more important to me than some asshole trying to track me down that I can have thrown back in jail. I have a restraining order against him, and that alley had cameras. I called one of the companies I remembered seeing and they set a camera up that was pointing towards where Hunter jumped me." River let out a deep breath after I told him about the security camera.

"So, are you gonna go to the police department?" I glared at River in which he saw.

"I can't, or you'll be in trouble too. I don't want to do that to you." River chuckled.

"Lauren, no one would be able to tell it was me. I had a hoodie on that was covering my face." I looked at him, concern in my eyes.

"I'll do it then, but don't hate me if they find out it was you that got Hunter off of me. I'll do it because you're confident they won't know who you are." River nodded his head.

"Good. I'll have you back to town tomorrow in time for your classes. You'll stay with me until we know for sure it's safe for you to stay in your apartment again." I nodded in agreement.

"Okay, that's something I can handle. I need to be back at my apartment tomorrow to gather some clothes and stuff." River rapidly shook his head in disagreement.

"No. I talked to Alyssa. She's packing your stuff tonight and dropping it off at my place. You'll already have stuff at my place." I was a little shocked to hear this.

"I'm not sure I'm comfortable with other people touching my clothes, but okay." River faintly chuckled, but didn't respond to my concern. We rode in silence the rest of the way. It was 4:30 by the time we got to what River called his favorite spot. I was tired, and just wanted to sleep.

"We have a little hike to get to the spot. Then we can relax." I nodded and got out of his car. We started down the path that led into the woods.