Dressed in Bruises -H.S.

Two

After a long, painful, tiring night I woke up rubbing my sore neck while looking over at Greyson beside me in bed.

He looks so peaceful, so sweet.

You'd never suspect him to do the things that he does.

But he does... And I still love him.

I know that it's wrong, confusing, and even stupid but my feelings are difficult to understand, even for myself.

Love isn't something that can just disappear overnight, our love used to be so strong. I just don't know what I did wrong to make him become so full of rage along with his inability to control it.

The thing is, he wasn't always like this and part of me is still holding onto the old him, hoping he will break through again instead of breaking parts of me.

It hurts. Emotionally and physically, it hurts so fucking bad.

I want him to love me like he used to. He tells me all the time that he does and I always believe it, even when he says he's sorry for what he does to me.

"Good morning, beautiful." he groaned with his morning voice, struggling to open his eyes.

"You still love me, right?" I questioned, laying beside him with my elbow resting on the pillow, propping my face up.

"Is this about last night?" he sighed. "I had too much to drink, I didn't mean any of it, you know that. I'll always love you, baby." he said before planting a soft kiss on my forehead.

My heart melted with the love that I constantly yearn for.

"I'm working on being better." he gently ran his fingers through my knotted overnight hair. "I promise."

I promise.

I promise.

I promise.

Those two words are always stuck in the back of my mind, waiting for the change. Hoping my love for him is enough to fix him.

"I can make us breakfast, but then I need to go pick up my check from work afterwards." I said while stroking random patterns against his bare chest.

"I will make breakfast for us, it's the least I can do after last night. I know you stayed up late cleaning up after me."

-

I finished my bacon and eggs before heading to the bathroom to brush my teeth and get ready.

After spitting out the remaining toothpaste from my mouth I lifted my head from the sink and noticed the marks in the mirror.

There was a large, fresh bruise across my neck, the marks of fingers laid on my skin in a purple, green, and yellow mess.

I held in my tears while grabbing my overflowing makeup bag from the drawer and started the familiar process.

After getting in my car I noticed my reflection once more in the rearview mirror and I smiled to myself.

I look happy, I look normal, I clean up as a completely different person. The appearance I show off of myself isn't me.

I enjoy getting ready on my days off because I get to feel like this. Like a different person, someone with a happy life and relationship, a happy version of myself. The opposite of what everything actually is.

-

"There she is, my Sheryl!" I hear Jerry call out after leaving the diner's office and shoving my check into my bag.

"And there's my Jerry!" I laughed.

"I thought you were off today and I wasn't going to see you. I'm so glad you're here, this is my son, Leo." he smiles.

I turn to his son and smile, finally able to put a face to all the stories Jerry tells me about him.

"Nice to meet you, Leo. I'm Sheryl." I greet him with a hand shake, the smile still on my face from Jerry.

"I've heard so much about you!" he tells me.

"Likewise!" I laugh.

"He's a handsome fella, isn't he?" Jerry smirks at me, jokingly whispering as if Leo couldn't hear him.

"Dad!" he nudges him while chuckling.

He is rather handsome, he gives off a dorky, goofy vibe but he is definitely good looking.

"Sorry about him." he apologises.

"No worries, I deal with him almost every day." I playfully rolled my eyes.

After a short pause in conversation, Leo began to speak again, "I hope this isn't weird, but your style is absolutely astonishing."

"Not weird at all, thank you! I've loved clothing since I was a kid." I smiled, someone actually taking an interest in me and what I enjoy was something I haven't felt in a very long time.

"I have also loved fashion ever since I was a child, mostly because my mom always forced me along with her obsession." He laughed. "I only mentioned it because where I work has been looking for a new stylist for awhile now. They are struggling to find someone with that type of spice, you know, like the amount I have." He joked while pointing up and down my outfit as I giggled at his word choice.

"I'm serious, I wouldn't have brought it up if I didn't see potential in you. Even though it's nothing but a casual outfit, the combination is ideal." he spoke.

"I think somebody put you up to this." I glanced over at Jerry with a smirk.

Jerry raised his arms up in surrender and said "I swear, I had nothing to do with it."

"I really appreciate the offer but I will have to think about it."

"No problem, here's my business card. If you make up your mind, give me a call anytime." he gave me a warming smile.

"I have to warn you though, the team is amazing, you will love everyone there, I have a feeling you would fit right in." he tried to sell me on the offer.

"I will definitely let you know. It was great meeting you, I'm glad I finally know what you look like so I can put a face to all the embarrassing stories he tells me." I joked referring to Jerry while walking away.

"Likewise." he said, mimicking what I said earlier in the conversation.

"Hey, I do no such thing!" Jerry cut in, defending himself, Leo knowing I was only messing around.

I'm worried about what Grey will think of this job offer, I'm kind of excited about it. I really need some positive change in my life right now. The diner will always have a special place in my heart and I'd be sad to leave but this is an amazing opportunity for my career.