Break Me

I'm cuddled up on Andy's couch watching old cartoons and sipping hot tea. He hasn't left my side since we got here an hour ago. He doesn't say a lot, he's just been watching me. I'm counting down the seconds until I'm able to leave and go back to my plan. This is just a minor setback I suppose.
As the show comes to an end, Andy shuts off the T.V. and turns to me. "So, now do you want to tell me why you did it?"
I look away from his intense gaze and take a few sips from my cup. He waits patiently for my answer, so I figure I should enlighten him. "My parents died a few months ago. They were coming to see me. I'm not that sad about my dad passing away. I mean, yeah, he was my dad, so I'm a little upset, but he hated me. It's my mom..." I choke on my words. I give myself a minute and continue. "My mom, she was a saint. She was always so kind and supportive of my decisions. She loved me more than she loved herself. She was so beautiful. I miss her the most." I take another sip of my tea. "When I started school here, I met this guy. He was nice to me. He was the first guy to ever be nice to me. So, when he asked me out, I said yes. Soon after that, he changed. He isolated me from every one. He keeps tabs on me all the time. He doesn't hit me, but he likes to pinch me really hard and leave marks. He messes with me sexually. I have to do things for him, things that make me really uncomfortable, or he gets mad. I mean, like really mad. It scares me. He calls me names, and says I'm not worth anyone's attention. So I just do what he wants, because I don't want to upset him."
Andy stares at me for a long time. He speaks slowly, like I'm a child. "This guy, is he the one you're with now?" He asks. I don't reply, but he puts two and two together. His face loses color, and he clenches his jaw. "Why would you stay with a guy like that? Huh?" I look away from him. "Answer me!" he shouts. I jump and move away from him. "I'm sorry." He says almost immediatly. "I'm sorry. But why? Why would you be with someone who hurts you so badly?"
"I stay because it's all I'll ever have. And I don't want to be in this constant hell of blaming myself for the death of my mom. I don't want to be stuck with Jace. That's where my future is. That's why I did it." I start to cry again and this time, I don't try to stop it. I let the tears run freely.
He scoots closer to me and places his arm around my shoulder. He runs a few fingers through my hair. "No more worries tonight. You're okay here. If you want to go back tomorrow, I won't stop you. Just forget everything for tonight, and I'll be here."
"I have a question for you now, Andy." I say once I dry my tear. He looks up at me, so I ask him, "Why are you being so nice to me? Why did you stop me on the bridge? Why did you take me in, and why won't you leave me alone?"
He thinks for a second before he answers. His voice is soft like velvet, and drenched in emotion. "I saw the beauty in you. There's so much pain, so much regret, in your eyes. At first, I stopped you because, well what descent human being wouldn't. But when I looked into your eyes, I saw true pain. You had the look of someone who was empty. But there's beauty in you too. It just needs a little help coming to the surface. I don't want you to hurt yourself. I see you. I want to be here for you. You need someone, and I want that someone to be me."
He brushes my bangs from my face, and pulls me in for a hug. I stiffen at first, but melt into him. I never really noticed how much I might have just needed someone to hold me. He lets go far too soon. He smiles at me, and for the first time in months, I return the smile. Maybe I can continue this life for just a little longer. Maybe Andy and I could be good friends. Maybe someone can care for me after all. Maybe.

Notes