Page 9 of Sinful Little Lies

Slipping the joint out of her fingers, I spark it and inhale. We pass the joint back and forth, making small talk. We share what classes we’re taking this semester and what our schedules are like. Eventually, we tap out and she stands. She disappears into the bathroom and my heart sinks, knowing the end of our time has come.

Just when she emerges, I reluctantly stand, ready to walk her back downstairs to the party. Instead of heading towards the door, Verena pads over to my bed and flops down on her back. Keeping her gaze fixed on the ceiling, she pats the spot next to her, gesturing for me to join her.

She wants me to lie next to her.

On my bed.

Little guy, please remain calm.

“Have you ever wondered how much life would suck if we had to be sober all the time? Always having to face reality with a clear mind?” She laughs and lets out a heavy sigh. “I could never.”

“What reality can’t you face sober?” I question, wanting a glimpse into her life, even if it’s just a sliver.

She turns her head and looks at me. “You know what I’m talking about. Don’t make me say it.” Her head moves back to face the ceiling.

My heart aches with the confirmation that Leo is still hurting her. I want to kill him. Iwillkill him. As I’m about to respond, she continues. “I’m pretty sure he would kill me if he knew I was here, but I think there’s a part of me that hopes he actually follows through with it and puts me out of my misery…” She pauses for a moment, chewing on her lip before continuing, “I’m sorry. We’re supposed to be at a party having fun and I’m holding you hostage upstairs with my sob stories. Let’s go back dow-”

“No.” I insist, cutting her off.

Verena questions, picking her head up but I cut her off once again.“No? What do you mea-”

“Are you serious, Verena? Did you hear what the fuck you just said? You think I can go and party after you just told me you have a secret death wish just to escape your relationship? I told you once and I’ll tell you again. I’ll remind you every fucking day if I have to. I will kill him myself, with my bare hands, if you ask me to. The only reason I haven’t already is because I don’t want you to fucking hate me.” I spill out, truth lacing my every word. “He could be dead by the end of the night and the brotherhood would have him cleaned up come sunrise. Say the word, and I’ll kill every man on this earth if it makes you feel safer.”

Verena lays down and reaches her hand out to me. The second her fingers touch mine, my dick twitches and pressesagainst my zipper. She slowly interlaces our fingers and I’m immediately shifting to prevent my instant hard-on from being exposed.

Fuck, I need to gain some self-control around this woman.

“Thank you for always being here, Grimm. Thank you for not pressuring me to report Leo. Thank you for respecting my decision. Thank you for being a true friend.” A sharp pang shoots through my heart at the mention of friendship, but I ignore it. Now is not the time. She begins humming the Golden Girls theme song and I palm my face, making her break into a fit of giggles.

Oh little monster, the things I’d do for you.

I let a smile stretch across my face. Today, I’m a friend but soon, I’ll be so much more. I will be the air she breathes and as well as her reason to smile. I will bend and mold myself into whoever she needs me to be, whatever she needs me to do, as long as I can call her mine.

Squeezing her hand, I turn my head and look deep into her eyes, so she knows just how serious I am about her.

“Always. I’ll always be here, V.”

Always.

6

GRIMM

Two weeks.Fourteen days. Three hundred and thirty-six hours. Twenty thousand, one hundred and sixty minutes.

That’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen Verena. She has been radio silent and practically MIA, once again. Every time I think we’re getting somewhere, she shuts down and disappears.

This semester, I enrolled in a writing class with the hopes of landing in the same lecture room as her. Unfortunately for me, my luck fucking sucks and the class Verena is in was full, so now I’m in the class after hers. The only writing that I’ve done so far has been her name, with little hearts around it like a fucking middle schooler.

Verena leaves the classroom every day with a somber look, clutching her books for dear life. The other day, I watched her as she scurried to her next class. Lifting her arm, she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and the black bell-sleeve slid down, exposing her bruised wrist. Before anyone else managed to notice, she brought her arm back down to her side, pulling on her sleeve for good measure.

At that moment, I realized she doesn’t wear dark colors and long layers as a fashion statement. She dresses that way to blend into the background, to hide. Everything is a facade. One bigspooky Halloween mask that’s two seconds away from sliding off of her face, revealing the pain that lives underneath it.

The reality of her relationship with Leo tugs at my heartstrings. My mind races with possibilities of what he would do to her if she tried to leave.

I know she needs help.Sheknows she needs help.

Why won’t she let me fucking help her? How many times will she knock on my door, bruised and bloodied, with tears streaming down her face before she realizes she’s playing with her life?

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