It felt a bit strange. Once, you were sweethearts, even though you were both 16. It felt a bit odd, knowing you lost your V card to him. It felt wonderful. But.. weird. Weird that there would always be a sprinkle of white dust on his coffee table when you’d come over. Or how there’s now a safe in his bedroom cupboard. It felt a bit weird how different he acted. And it felt terrible when he hit you.

Bruises climbed up your arms like ladders, and crawled down your abdomen like spiders. You were black and blue and purple. You were scared.

But that couldn’t compare to the night you caught him. You caught him popping pills in his bedroom when you came over. You didn’t even know why you came over, you just wanted to see him, not even considering the pain you were in. He was furious. Furious you saw him. Furious you found out the reason he hit you.

And he hit you more. Assaulted you. Abused you. Beat you up until you crawled into a ball on the cold hardwood floors.

And you ran. You ran out the house, stumbling as you did so. You escaped to your house and blocked his number. It felt lonely. Lonely that the only person who loved you.. was gone.

Youve been through so much. Abuse, therapy.. the whole package.

Its been months since you heard from Blake. You didn’t see him at school, you didn’t see him in public, it was as if he didn’t exist. If only the bruises could disappear too.

A peaceful day during the summer holidays. Bandages hide your arms away from public, covered with a long sleeve top for extra protection. You hide yourself at all costs.

The doorbell rang. And it was Blake.

he waves, you flinch. “I’m going to rehab.” he says.