Never Told You

Chapter Twelve

"Well, it seems our business is done here Lauren. Have a nice day." I walked out of Hunter's apartment the next morning. I was now sporting a gash on my forehead, a fat lip, and a black eye. I had to meet Hunter here next week, one more time. Then we would be done. I wouldn't have to deal with this anymore. I still hadn't heard from River. I went to my apartment and got cleaned up and dressed. I put my black hoodie on to hide my face. I wore the hood all day and kept my head down. I saw River in class. He tried to get my attention, but I just ignored him. I managed to escape him the whole week. As soon as my wounds were almost faded, it was time for me to meet Hunter one more time. I would have to continue to hide my face. I felt ashamed.

As I walked up to Hunter's door, fear took over my body. One more time was all I had to tell myself. I was doing this for a man who didn't even care about me. This was my business though, and he didn't need to get caught up in it. I knocked on Hunter's door, and shivered as he opened it. He was shutting the door while I was looking outside, and Julian walked past. He saw my concerned and scared look as Hunter finished shutting the door and locking it. I knew he would tell River I was here. It was another problem I didn't want to deal with.

The next morning, I looked in the mirror when I got home. I knew my lip needed stitches. I traced the bruise on my cheek, and stared at the bruised gash on my forehead. My black eye was still healing from last week, and luckily I didn't get another one. I finished up in the bathroom and put my hoodie back on. I stepped out, and Alyssa stopped me.

"Lauren, why have you been so distant and gone lately?" I kept my head down and didn't say anything. I was still working, but I didn't speak to any of them. She pulled my hood off my head and looked at my face, gasping. "Who did this to you?"

"That's not your concern. If you really cared, you would've told me a bet was placed on me. I heard nothing of it. I'm protecting people who don't even care about me, that's how I got hurt. I have to get to class." I pushed past her and pulled my hood back up on my head. Why did I even bother making friends and getting involved with people when I knew it was a bad idea? Maybe I didn't know all the troubles I would face. Is being reckless the new me? I knew after this class I had to get to work. I would walk, rather than ask River for a ride. I knew what he had done to me, but I also knew he would freak out if he saw my battered face. It was a chance I couldn't risk.

"Hey, there she is. The prodigy returns to work. I'm surprised to see you here because of everything that went down with River."

"River was a choice, this work was not. I'm in it, and I can't just leave it. But don't think for a second I still like you. I know all of you knew the bet, and know none of you didn't say anything." Julian remained silent and put his head down. I knew I had caught him off guard. I just wanted him to leave.

"Hey...um I've got some things I got to take care of. Remember to lock up one you leave." It was like God had answered my prayers, only I wasn't religious and I didn't pray. I put my headphones in and focused on growing, while doing my homework. I knew I had to sign up for my labs soon, or I would be kicked from medical school. I certainly had wrapped myself up in a bunch of shit I didn't need to be in. A hand wrapped around my arm and spun me around making me panic. I punched the face that belonged to the hand.

"River? What the hell are you doing here?" He looked at my face as my hood had fallen off my head. I gasped and tried pulling it back up but he grabbed my wrists before I could.

"What happened to your face? Was this Hunter? I knew it. I knew he would attack you again." I pulled away from him and glared.

"Assuming that this was Hunter, you have no reason to act like you care now. After what you did, I'd rather be abused physically. Get out of here River, unless you have business to tend to." He looked shocked at the harsh words that came out of my mouth.

"Lauren, I'm sorry. I regret it everyday. I never told them, they had a camera set up and recorded it. I di-" I cut him off.

"They recorded us!? How could I ever trust you!? Why did I let you in!? Fuck you River!" I turned around and started walking away before he grabbed my arm and spun me around. He pushed his lips on mine, but I pulled away.

"Lauren, I love you." My heart sank into my stomach. My emotions and thoughts were all over the place because of him. I told myself I would never let a boy play me like he did, but he influences my emotions. I needed to snap out of this trance he kept putting me in.

"And what? You want me to trust you, stay in love with? Just so I can get hurt again? Recorded again? No thank you. I have to go. You can close up here." I flipped around and walked as fast as I could to get away from River. I was done playing these stupid games that he liked playing.