Someone tapped my elbow and I peeked through a crack in my hair to see it was Aaron. He raised a brow and I shook my head sadly, sighing. He turned back to his work, hunching over the sheet of paper.
"Samantha? Honey, are you alright?"
The last person I wanted to talk to, Amelia, was trying to touch me. I sniffed and nodded meekly, still upset. A few minutes later, Mr. Morgan came over and rubbed my back. I glanced around, unfolding my arms. Making sure no one was looking, I threw my arms around his waist, crying into his shoulder as he stroked my hair soothingly. He knew all about 'Johnnie boy'. He'd been the one who helped me tell my father. I pulled back after a while, wiping my nose.
"Sweetie, have you tried to tell anyone but your father and I?" He murmured, still stroking my hair as he looked into my wet eyes.
I shook my head, too upset to speak. He nodded, putting his chin on the top of my head as I snuggled closer to the warmth and feel of his body. I shut my eyes, wiping the last bit of tears away. He was like my uncle, always there when I needed him and he never did anything I didn't want him to. The bell rang and I awkwardly pulled back to pack my stuff away. He held onto my wrist, giving me one last hug before I slipped out of the door to walk with my living nightmare.
"You're late." He growled, greeting me with another slap.
I cringed, grimacing in pain. He laughed at me, smiling at my torment. I turned back to him, raised my fist, and sucker-punched the boy right in the jaw. Hearing the crack of his jaw dislocating. I smiled and felt relief for the first time in two months. It was short-lived though. He recovered and punched me in the gut. Doubling over, I moaned and clutched my stomach weakly. My knees were knocking. He punched me again on my bruised cheek and walked away, wiping the blood from his lips. I rested my head against the cold steel of the lockers. My stomach pulsed with wave after wave of pain as kids walked by, oblivious and uncaring. They were used to seeing things like this. There were other couples that fought.
We were three weeks into the semester when the abusive behavior got worse. He slammed my head into the lockers, chocking me with his arm against my neck. He kissed me once more, biting my lip and forcing his tongue into my mouth. I bit down as hard as I could, smiling in satisfaction as he yelped in pain. He pulled back, increasing the pressure on my neck. I struggled to breathe when a hand immediately yanked his arm away. Gasping, I slumped against the lockers, resting my cheek tiredly on the cold steel.
"You'll never break break up with me, I'll kill you." He snarled, his eyes bloodshot as he rushed my savior.
The new boy pushed him away with a blow to the face and offered his hand to me. Now, built into me was the consequences if I accept his own or anyone else's hand. I whimpered as he pulled me up gently, standing in front of me. My eyes roamed the hall. Blushing madly with embarrassment as the kids crowded us. 'Johnnie boy' fought wildly, losing ground with each swing until the other boy hit him in the stomach and knocked him down. I squeaked when he turned to me, fists still raised with sweat falling nito his eyes from his curly hair. He lowered them and opened his arms.
I rushed into the safety they provided, tears streaming down my face once more. I didn't even know this boy but now he was my world. He stroked my hair, smoothing the peices that'd fallen out of my ponytail back in. Whimpering like the wounded animal that I was, I put my arms under his, spreading my fingers over his shoulder blades as he wrapped his arms gently around my waist. Looking up at him, I winced when his lips brushed mine, still afraid this new relationship would go sour like 'Johnnie boy' and I had.
"Shh...It's over. It's okay, you're safe now." He whispered, kissing my bruised purple cheek feathery light.
"Over? I'm safe?" I asked, confused and glad at the same time. "He won't hurt me? He's really gone?"
My eyes were brimming with tears as I hugged him tightly. He was finally going to be able to fix me right. I looked around and shrugged; what did I care? They could all go to Hell. I pulled back and kissed him gently, a shy smile on my face.