Page 52 of Love, In Balance

“Pierce, I don’t want to do anything. I want you to leave. Please Pierce”. I plead with him.

“You saidthatlast time. Always playing hard to get” he persists, laughing under his breath and explaining that I’m in denial and that I know how we’re meant to be together.

“Since the first day you came to the university all those years ago, I clocked you. The things I’ve wanted to do to you” he says with a roughness to his voice.

He pushes me further back against the wall, so that I’m pinned in place and starts running his hands through the gap in my robe, loosening it, exposing my body.

I squirm beneath his touch, and he tightens his grip. I can feel his nails scratching against my skin.

“Pierce, let me go right now. I don’t want this, and I don’t want to be with you, so please” I say, pushing my hands against his chest so that I can get away, but he grabs my hands and pushes them up against the wall above my head.

I start to cry, continuing to plead with him to let me go.

I think I hear the sound of someone outside the door and the rattle of keys, but with him crowding my every sense, focusing on much else is near impossible.

“Stop resisting babe. You know you’ve dreamt of this. I’ll give you more than last time. Plus, Lista, do you really think anyone else will be as understanding about your body as I am. Look at how many guys have ditched you because of your leg. Count yourself lucky that I see past it”.

He’s kissing my neck again and making his way up to my lips. He bites my bottom lip, and I move my head to the side. He continues trying any way he can.

In that moment, I believe him about my leg and how other guys see me, and I feel lost.

I can’t escape his grip no matter how hard I push against it. I’m alone.

I close my eyes and try to go into a different world in my mind, to numb myself to what’s happening like I did last time, knowing I can’t get away.

But Pierce has moved his mouth over my breasts, nipping at my flesh aggressively, and I cry louder, begging him to stop.

That’s when I hear footsteps getting closer, louder and more hurried.

I forgot I messaged Drew the code. I’m praying it’s him I hear, using the key he has for my apartment.

It is. He walks around the corner and sees us, briefly making eye contact with me, before realising what is happening. He probably heard my cries and Pierces voice before all else.

His expression changes. An anger crosses his face that I’ve never seen before. He runs towards where Pierce has pinned me against the wall and grabs him by the shirt, pulling him backwards, peeling him off me.

I cry, gathering my robe around me to cover my body and wrap it between my legs before sliding down the wall onto the floor, tucking my knees into my chest, hugging them.

I plant my head into my legs to shield my eyes from Pierce. I try to zone out again, but the background noise is loud. I place myhands over my ears.

Everything around me is muffled and the dizziness finds me, making me feel like the room is spinning around me.

I struggle to keep balanced, despite being sat on the floor and against the wall.

I hear Drew raising his voice and cry at the sudden relief thatsomeoneis on my side.

“How fucking dare you lay a hand on her. And you didn’t think to stop when she told you to. When she saidno.When she started fucking crying. No. You’re a fucking monster Pierce. How could you do this to her? She’s meant to be your friend! And what the fuck did you mean bylast time?” Drew says. Gritting his teeth.

Pierces response comes next, but I tighten my grip around my ears so that I don’t hear his voice. What if he accuses me of wanting this. What if Drew believes him. What if Iamto blame.

Drew speaks again.

“It’s harassment Pierce. She saidnoand you continued. You took advantage of her and exposed her in her own fucking home. Now get. out. Before I fucking throw you out. And if you ever even look at her again, you’ll know about it. She is one of the most important things in the world to me, and I’d soon destroy you before letting you touch another hair on her head. Don’t message her. Don’t look at her. Don’t speak to her. Understood? Now get out”.

I hear Drews voice near me and feel a warm glow around me before feeling a light pressure around my arms. I lift my head out of my knees.

Drew has enveloped me in a hug. We come face to face, and in that moment, I realise I’m safe. He chose me. Not Pierce.

“Drew… This has been going on for a long time. I’m so sorry” I say, sobbing. I have no idea what else to do, but just tell him as it is.

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