Living for the Music

As I pulled the door shut behind me, I caught a glimpse of Aaron’s face. It was hard, set, and there was a glint in his eyes I knew all to well.

We drove in silence until we reached Aaron’s house. I could tell from the darkness that we would be alone, just like always. Aaron stormed out of the car and I shakily unbuckled my seat belt before following him into the house.

I could find my way to Aaron’s room, even in the dark. When I reached him, he was pacing angrily between his bed and desk “Guess what I saw?” he snapped as I entered.

“What?” I asked softly.

“First, Tyler sends you a kiss. The next time I check, you erased the kiss.” He stopped to stare at me. “What else have you been hiding from me?”

“I didn’t - ”

Before I could react, his hand shot out and smacked me across the face. “Don’t lie to me, Sophia.”

I took a deep breath, fighting the urge to cup my cheek. “No one, Aaron. Just Tyler.”

“Tyler?” he spat, moving closer to me. “What exactly have you and Tyler been doing?”

I flinched. I always said the wrong thing around him. “He flirts with me, Aaron. I ignore him.”

This time, I braced myself for the punch. It connected solidly with my shoulder. I flinched, staggering backwards slightly. “He wouldn’t talk to you if you didn’t encourage him.”

“I didn’t, Aaron. I-”

I covered my head as he shoved me onto the bed. I could feel the bruises forming on my arms where his hands were gripping them. “I don’t want you talking to him, period.”

“Okay,” I murmured, trying to make myself small. I’d say anything, do anything, as long as he’d stop.

He pulled away and I watched him cautiously, unmoving. I could see his body relaxing and the look in his eyes slowly changed from rage to sorrow. “I’m sorry, Sophia,” he murmured, running a hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry.”

I slowly pushed myself up, ignoring the cries of protest my sore body gave. I tried to reply, but ‘it’s okay’ didn’t seem to cut it. It wasn’t okay. Right now, I felt like my life would never be ‘okay’ again.

“Come here,” he coaxed. When I didn’t move, he slowly came over to sit next to me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, thankfully missing my new bruise.

I began to relax. It hadn’t been that bad, nowhere near as bad as past times. Now Aaron would be sweet and caring for the next few days, my ‘safe’ period. He leaned in close to me, kissing my hurt cheek. He put his cool hand on the red handprint I knew must be there. “I’m sorry,” he repeated. “It won’t happen again.”

A part of me knew he was lying, but after everything that had happened I wanted this time to feel loved. Aaron laid down beside me, rubbing my back, and I curled up next to him. It was dark outside, a sure sign that winter was coming. With Aaron’s comforting warmth behind me, I let my eyes fall shut. I knew I’d be fine for the rest of the night.