Page 107 of Collided

You pathetic girl.

Your mom told me you’re friends with boys.

Is this where you spend your time not studying?

I’ll tell her how you’re wasting time.

He would have slapped you.

Make a scene.

Scream at you.

The voices get louder. I can’t stop the tears that fall from my eyes. All these words and sentences are vague images made up by my mind because I’m scared. I’m so very scared.

That morning when he fooled Mom and moved back home, I didn’t miss the evil glint in his eyes or the wicked smile he sent me. That look haunts me at night. I know something big is coming.

My body is trembling. Nothing has happened but my overthinking mind has sent me into a place where I keep spiraling and losing control.

Someone crouches in front of me.

Blue eyes. They are the first thing that I notice, despite the tears.

I don’t look away from him and neither does he as he slowly takes my hand and squeezes it.

“You’re safe now. I’m here,” Heath says to me softly, contrary to how his eyes blaze in fury.

“I’m fine.” I don’t want him to worry about me. I quickly wipe my eyes.

He arches an eyebrow. “You’re telling me that you weren’t having a panic attack?”

I shake my head adamantly. “I’m fine.”

Realization dawns on me, that if it weren’t for him, I’d still be stuck in my mind and thinking about scenarios that are all made up. How sick is that?

He stares at me with the heat of a furnace. “You’renotfine, Hope.”

I’m not.I know that, but he doesn’t need to.

“Are you done with your grocery shopping?”

My attempt goes to the drain when he glares. “What happened? Did someone do something?”

“No.” I look down in my lap.

We’re sitting on gravel, and I’ve never felt more comfortable before—it’s because of him.

“Then?” He probes the matter with determination.

“I saw someone and…” My next words would change everything between us. It’s too soon for me to tell him that my father abuses me.

“Who was it?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Please let it go.”

“Hope—”

I stand up and dust myself off. My way of putting an end to this conversation.

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