| Body |
His name pops up again on my phone he's trying to call me. I decline the call and another text from him pops up on my phone.
I know where you are and I will find you. Don't think for a single second that you are going to get away with this. You'll never make it in New York. You're a dirty worthless disgusting bimbo and you won't last without me.
My hands shake and my mouth goes dry. I feel like I'm going to throw up. I quickly block his number and take a deep breath closing my eyes for a second.
_________
I looked down at my phone and hesitated dialing his number. My brother left so long ago I haven't talked to him forever but there was no way I could stay here.
I had just gotten my acceptance letter, which was the only sign I needed to leave my boyfriend Cade.
I had been putting up with his abuse for years thinking he would change and would become the man I thought I had started a relationship with but he never did he blamed me for everything.
A part of me thinks maybe I deserved it. If I was just a better girlfriend if I did more for him he wouldn't beat me. But no matter what I do I'll never be good enough for him so I needed to leave before things got even worst.
I swallowed back my anxiety and dialed my brothers number. I held my breath waiting for him to pick up he finally did. "Hey" I froze hearing his voice. "Hello anyone there?"
"Umm Jake it's uhh it's Madison." "Oh uhhh Madison hey how are you?" "I'm ok I uhhh I had a question well a big favor I needed to ask." I hesitate.
"Alright shoot." " I was wondering if I could umm come stay with you..." silence no answer I swallowed back the urge to just hangup and started rambling. "I'm so sorry to ask this I really am I don't want to impose it's just I just got accepted to NYU and I umm I really need to leave as soon as possible I can't ummm." My voice breaks and I scream at myself in my head I hated sounding so weak I hated having to plead with someone.
"I'm sorry this was stupid never mind." I go to Hangup but before I can I hear his voice. "Mads of course you can please come whenever you need to you're always welcome." "Really?" My voice breaks even more.
"Yes please come I'd love to see you." "Thank you Jake thank you so much you have no idea what this means to me."
"No problem just shoot me a text when you figure out the date." "I uhhh was actually planning on trying to book a flight tomorrow if that's not too soon I'm really sorry to inconvenience you I know school doesn't start for a few months, I just I can't stay in California any longer for reasons I should probably explain later but I just uhhh I I really have to leave but if that's too soon it's ok." I pause.
"No you're not an inconvenience that's completely fine." I smile we talk a little more and then hangup. I'm actually getting out of here.
I started packing my duffel bag stuffing whatever I could in. Any furniture I had would have to stay otherwise Cade would get suspicious. Just then I heard the door open I quickly ran and shoved my duffel bag under the bed in our guest room.
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I suddenly heard glass shatter I froze and then remembered the acceptance letter, I had left it on the counter .
I felt my legs start to tremble I knew what was about to happen. I quickly shut the door. I wish I could've locked it but Cade got rid of the locks a long time ago.
I ran to our closet and hid behind some clothes I prayed he would not be able to find me, but I knew he would he always did. I hear the footsteps coming closer and closer my whole body trembling now.
Suddenly the doors were yanked open. I shut my eyes but I could feel his presence right in front of me. I could hear his heavy breathing. My hands and legs trembling in anticipation of whats about to happen.
My heart is racing I close my eyes and try and take deep breaths. I'm gonna be fine, Its gonna be okay. I tell myself over and over again.
He throws the clothes off of me and grabs me by my hair yanking me out of the closet. My head throbbing from the action I try and keep the tears at bay. My emotions are a weakness. Cade hates when I'm weak.
"What is this?" He shakes the letter in my face. I try and keep the panic from showing on my face. "Baby I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know what that is." I try and shrug it off.
"Don't. lie. to. me." He says each word slowly whispering into my ear in a terrifyingly calm manor.
"You're trying to go off to college. Well I've got news for you. You're too stupid and useless for that you bimbo." He laughs in my ear making me tremble even harder.
He moves his hand to my throat and lifts me up squeezing I try clawing at his hands but he's too strong. "You're so weak and pathetic you couldn't make it 2 days without me." He laughs in my face his breath reeks of whiskey.
He lets go of my throat letting me collapse on the ground. I curl up in a ball trying to make myself as small as possible. I feel him kick me over and over again.
The punches then start. One makes it into my face I whimper and throw my arms in front of my face. He usually avoids my face not wanting anyone to know.
I try and make my mind go somewhere else and ignore the pain but I can't I'm stuck, frozen. Finally he stops and storms out and I hear the front door slam.
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I just lay there and once I'm sure that he's gone I let the tears come out sobs shaking my body.
I finally get the strength to try and stand up I see the acceptance letter torn to pieces on the ground. I gather it up and throw it in the bathroom trash can.
I look up and wince when I see myself in the mirror my eye is already turning an angry purple and my hair is in mats and bruises form along my neck. I pull my shirt up and see bruises forming all along my torso.
I don't let myself cry at the sight of it I have seen worst I'll be fine I tell myself and lower my shirt and take a brush to my hair.
I then quickly log into my computer and look up flights hoping that there might be one set to leave tonight.
I find one that has only one seat left set to leave at 2 am. It'll be risky but I have to leave sooner than I thought.
I finish stuffing some socks and underwear and a couple more shirts into my duffel bag. I then grab my hair brush and a couple of books from my nightstand drawer and stuff them into a backpack for my carry on. I
then start to change into some comfy clothes for the plane trip. I put on a pair of sweatpants and an oversized hoodie.
I put on some makeup. Carefully applying it over the bruises wincing at the contact.
Cade should be gone until at least 4 am since it's Friday night and he's pissed off so he'll prolly be out drinking with one of his friends until the bars close and then to his friends house to keep the party going.
I take a deep breath trying to calm my nerves my hands and legs are still shaking. My heart racing at the thought that I'm actually going to leave.
I sit on the couch and put on my favorite comfort show New Girl and wait.
I look over at the clock it's current 11:30 I start grabbing my stuff and throwing it in my trunk. it'll take me about 30 minutes to get to the airport and then I'll have to get through security and everything.
I throw on a baseball cap grab my favorite fluffy blanket and then close the door behind me.
Once I get in my car and leave the driveway I take one last look at the apartment behind me and let out a shaky breath. I can do this. I'm going to be fine.
I pull over and stop at a gas station on my way and grab a cereal bar and 2 hard seltzers in hopes that it might calm my nerves. I flash my fake ID to the cashier and swipe my card.
I down one of the seltzers before putting my car in drive and open the cereal bar and eat it as I drive to the airport. The whole time I hold my breath waiting for Cade to show up and drag me back.
A ding from my phone makes me jump its a text from Cade who is most likely drunk.
Baby I'm sorry about earlier I just lost my temper.
Babe
Madison
Answer me
I take a deep breath and send a text back.
It's okay baby I understand. I'm sorry to.
When I finally arrive at the airport I down my other seltzer before grabbing my bags and heading into the airport praying that Cade won't show up.
I exhale a breath of relief when I finally reach my seat on the plane and no sign of Cade. My leg is bouncing still not believing that I'm leaving.
When the plane takes off and I watch California become smaller and smaller. Tears well up in my eyes and I smile for the first time in a while. I am actually leaving he can't stop me.
I have about a 5 hour flight ahead of me so I take my blanket out of my backpack and the alcohol is starting to hit me making me loopy. I curl up and allow sleep to take over I can finally sleep in peace without fear creeping in.
I wake to a flight attendant announcing we were about to land to fasten our seatbelts. I quickly put my seatbelt on and looked down at my phone to check the time I see 32 missed calls from Cade and 27 text messages.
I swallow back my fear and try and take a deep breath trying to get my hand to stop shaking. It was currently 7:30 I wasn't sure if my brother would be awake yet but it would take me a little bit to get my luggage and everything.
Once we landed and I was safely in the airport waiting for my luggage I called my brother. I anxiously waited for him to answer I hoped he wouldn't be upset.
He answered "Mads what's up?" "Hey Jake umm I really don't want to bother you." "Your not a bother what's wrong are you ok?"
"Yeah I'm fine I just uhh something happened last night and I ended up having to leave earlier then I thought I am actually at the airport and I was wondering if there was anyway you could send me the address and I'll just call a cab or an Uber?"
"What do you mean something happened are you alright?" "Yeah I'm ok."
"Okay I'm at work right now but I'm going to send someone to pick you up alright you're not getting in an Uber alone."
"No no please don't do that it's alright I'm sorry I shouldn't have called I don't want to be an inconvenience." I cringed I hated that I was being such a burden on him.
"Mads it's fine don't worry about it I'm gonna send someone just sit tight for a hot minute." "Ok thanks Jake."
"Don't worry about it I'll text you when they're on their way." Before I could ask who he hung up.
I take a deep breath feeling completely defeated I stared at my phone for a minute scrolling through the text messages Cade had sent me my hands shaking as the messages became more and more threatening.
His name pops up again on my phone he's trying to call me. I decline the call and another text from him pops up on my phone.
I know where you are and I will find you. Don't think for a single second that you are going to get away with this. You'll never make it in New York. You're a dirty worthless disgusting bimbo and you won't last without me.
My hands shake and my mouth goes dry. I feel like I'm going to throw up. I quickly block his number and take a deep breath closing my eyes for a second. I then quickly looked up realizing I hadn't even been looking for my luggage. Once I find it I go and sit and wait for my brother to text me.
I must've dozed off because I jolt awake at the sound of my phone ringing. I look down to see Jake calling I pick up. "Hey." "Hey are you ok I've been texting you you never responded?"
"Yes oh my god I'm good I'm so sorry I must've dozed off."
"Oh ok well my friends Noah and Nicky are waiting outside for you they'll take you to the house and I'll be back around 6."
"I'm so sorry were they waiting long." I mentally kick myself god how could I have fallen asleep.
"No they just got here a few minutes ago you're good I can imagine you're exhausted but they said they were at the front and they're in Nicky's car so look for a white suv and text me if you can't find them." "Ok thanks Jake."
I step outside and immediately spot a white suv and start heading towards them praying it was the right car.
A young blonde who looks to be around my brothers age jumps out of the passenger seat and rushes over to me.
Startled I stumble back a little trying to hide my wince as she pulls me in for a hug. "Hi omgg you look so much like Jake I'm so happy to meet you I'm Nicky!"
Surprised by how nice she's being I freeze for a second before responding. "I uhhh I'm Madison it's so nice to meet you I'm so sorry you had to come get me."
"Oh it's no trouble at all." A tall steadily built blonde guy comes walking towards me motioning for me to give him my bag.
I hesitantly hand it over. "Thats Noah my boyfriend and I'm sure Jake has mentioned him to you those two are so close." She leans over and whispers to me so Noah can't hear her "If I wasn't his girlfriend I'd think they were gay for each other." Nicky explains.
I laugh at her and immediately feel myself relaxing.
The whole ride home Nicky talked my ear off explaining how Noah and Jake had bought the house in their name and how everyone pitches in for rent.
There was seven of them living there, Noah, Jake, Asher, Ethan, Brooke, Jules and Nicky.
Nicky subtly hinted that they had an extra room available since she had just recently moved into Noahs room and that I should stay permanently.
I got excited by the idea but I don't want to intrude on my brothers life. I hadn't seen my brother in 5 years now he didn't even come to my parents funeral but I mean I can't blame him our parents were horrible to him they weren't any better to me but he never knew that.
He moved out as soon as he turned 18 and the second he left my parents refused to let me have any contact with him. We used to be really close I missed that but now my brother has moved on built a whole other life for himself that seems amazing.
We finally pull up to a gorgeous modern looking house.
I followed Nicky inside, Noah following behind us carrying my duffel bag even though I insisted on carrying it myself.
Laughter echoed throughout the house. I hadn't heard that in a while. I paused at the doorway for a second I could feel my anxiety creeping in. What if none of them like me what if I've changed so much and Jake won't like me? A million thoughts rush through my head.
"Come on I'll introduce you to everyone." Nicky grabbed my arm startling me I flinch and she immediately lets go. "I'm so sorry I didn't mean to startle you you must be exhausted let me introduce you to everyone real fast and then I'll show you to your room."
I nodded afraid my voice would break if I tried to speak. She gently takes my arm and leads me closer to the sound of laughter.
I could feel the anxiety rising higher the closer I got to the sound. In the living room sat 4 more people two girls and two boys. Nicky introduced the other blonde girl as Jules and the dark haired girl as Brooke and the two boys as Asher and Ethan.
Asher didn't say a word to me just nodded his head. Ethan smiled at me and the girls stood up and each gave me a big hug.
"Oh my gosh it's so good to meet you I've been so excited to meet Jakes sister y'all looks so much alike." Jules squealed. "Jules chill you're gonna scare her." Brooke laughed, "as you can probably tell we're really happy to have you here right guys." She shot an intimidating look towards Asher and Asher just grunted in return.
"Don't mind him he hasn't gotten laid in how it long has it been a a whole day now?" Ethan stands up laughing.
Asher shoots a death glare Ethan's way and Nicky shoots a stern look towards both of them and changes the subject.
"Anyways now that these goons have basically probably scared you off let me show you to your room." Nicky leads the way shaking her head at the group of people. I
force a laugh and follow her. They all seem really nice except for Asher he doesn't seem to want me here. Even if it's just one person that doesn't want me here I refuse to be a burden so I can't stay long I stress in my mind.
Nicky opens the door and steps aside to let me through and Noah soon follows carrying my duffel bag and tosses it on the bed.
"Wow this is beautiful thank you." Nicky smiles "I'm so happy you like it, we'll let you rest for a little Jake should be getting home soon."
Nicky motions for Noah to follow her out the door and then shuts it behind her. I sit down on the bed and look around my mind still couldn't process that I was safe. I let myself sink into the pillows and closed my eyes.
--- Ashers Pov ---
Jake had talked to me last night about his sister. He said she was going to come stay with us but he didn't expect for a couple of days then the next thing I know his text came in the group chat saying his sister got in early and he needed someone to pick her up.
Of course Nicky was the first to volunteer her and Noah. I don't understand why nobody else was upset about this.
It's ridiculous how inconsiderate she was. It wasn't that much of an inconvenience to anyone except me.
Why? Because I had been storing a couple of my extra things in the guest room because my dad refused to keep it if I wouldn't come home to his house for the summer.
I was just going to leave it in there because I mean how did the girl expect us to be ready for her if she can't plan ahead and communicate. Nicky however begged me to get all my stuff out because she wanted it to look nice for her.
Because I can't say no to Nicky me and Ethan spent the morning clearing out the room and taking it to a storage unit instead of my original plan which was to go to the gym.
If I can't go to the gym in the morning that means I have to go later when its busy and I hate being there when its busy so I might as well not even go.
When I don't go to the gym it puts me in a pissy mood because the gym is where I get my anger out. To top it all off I got a call from my dad.
So am I taking my anger out on Jakes sister? Maybe. Do I care? no she's the reason my day got all screwed up in the first place. I have a routine and she's messing up that routine.
Ethan tosses an empty water bottle at my head startling me out of my thoughts. "Hey bozo I've been talking to you."
"Piss off Ethan." I roll my eyes and walk into the kitchen grabbing a water from the fridge.
"I was just asking you if you wanted to just go to the gym later. Geez whats got your panties in a twist?"
"Shut up no I don't want to go later because it's gonna be crowded." I plop back on the couch twisting open the water bottle.
Ethan just stays silent his eyes focused on the tv. I feel bad for yelling at him but he was pissing me off.
--- Madison Pov ---
I must've fallen asleep I jolted awake to the sound of a loud knock on my door. I jump up and ran to open it.
Jake was standing on the other side. He just stares at me for a second making me nervous but soon breaks out into a big smile and gathers me into a giant bear hug.
"Mads it is so good to see you." "Its good to see you too Jake I missed you." He released me and stepped back he examined me and a frown crossed his face as he leaned closer and examined my eye I flinch away.
"Jake it's not what it looks like." "Then what is it Madison because it sure looks like black eye." He looks at me expectantly.
"I umm I was super Clumsy and I wasn't watching where I was going and I ran straight into a wall." I laughed it off hoping he would buy it I had always been clumsy growing up so it wouldn't be that hard to buy that I had ran into a wall.
He laughs seeming to have bought it "same old Mads still clumsy." I laugh with him. He smiles and brings me into another hug, "I am really glad you're here I can't wait to hear all about your life in California and catch up." I
stiffen in his arms and step back when he mention's California. "Thanks Jakey I love you too" he looks confused for a second but shrugs it off and pastes a smile on his face.
"Did Nicky already show you where everything was? There's a bathroom right down the hall. In your closet I left a couple clean towels and an extra blanket. There's also extra toothbrushes and stuff in the bathroom cabinets if you need them. Unfortunately theres only one bathroom." He laughed and I laugh with him grateful that talking with him hasn't been as awkward as I was afraid it might be.
It feels like we're jumping right back in from where we left off when he first left. Jake interrupted my thoughts. "Alright let's go eat I believe Noah was cooking tonight." leading me out of the room.
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