IN HER EYES

ting profusely. I just had a nig

hains, struggling to break free. M

t to her for help, but instead, sh

ab

lt so real. The alarm buzzed, but I

bathroom to wash my face and bru

derstand the dream, and I didn

bed a cup of coffee, and went b

cked up my phone and called May

do our usual

a soft voice, clea

ad. Good morni

d I asked about her plans for

at the club. I teased her a bit

ca

d my pillow. The events of last t

. the unease. I knew I had to ta

t want him angry with me. I trie

'd visit him later

rday, I lay back down

the bathroom to bathe. Afterwar

ely in a bun, not bothering with a

message from the stranger remi

because of the nightmare. Ins

o a skimpy, sleeveless golden

n. I applied just a bit of lips

onytail, ordered uber, an

was told he wasn't ho

partment, even when explained I

anger and frustration, I storme

s". I didn't care

ho texted me the previous night

this but I decid

e, a waiter

la Martyr?"

slightly suspicious. Ho

r you," she said, pointing to m

stranger was, they we

iter returned and

person I came to se

the bills covered. You can

shrugged it off and asked for a gl

nded i

ait

minutes

h

n would keep a lady waiting? Wha

e strange

ing to show up, wh

age buzzed

up, I'

e Maya walking out with a man h

it up in

e has been telling me ab

d them. I wanted to see the face

ses

I saw him

me

oyfr

d giggling with my best f

ed it

I followed them out, watched t

y drove to Maya's apartment. I w

them to settle in then I got out

was sligh

lked

met shattered ev

called perverted boyfriend were

y didn't notice I

pain, tears of betraya

crambling to adju

about? The man she claimed s

make sense to m

ng here, Ella? Ma

the questions you slut!" I

burning. The pain turned to rage

ya? I trusted and loved you as

tears bui

d. "You have to leave now; we w

ying to se

I cursed, sla

e you?"

he slappe

t me crashing

he spat, and kicke

and giggling, no remorse, no g

t and sat

she said coldly. You took away

been together, you were just to

always the homeless pawn whose

e faces

ed, I stood up and

back but Romeo held her back, pu

tood there cr

ken into thousand p

worth the

t I didn't mean anything to them

d. I couldn't take it anymor

lau

n. I'll meet you a

sely, my hair disheveled, my feet

s. I don't think I will

rink after drink till I was comp

s the roof of a building. I stoo

ling into

e" I m

would be betray me, I would ha

was broken b

a quiet prayer, and l

d cau

oked

te

med, trying to pull fre

don't deserve to die like this.

ca

her presenc

out to step down fro

, grabbing

up. I gasped for breath, I reali

weren't wor

d as I collapsed int

e her my address and she drove m

spilled everything, my

ed to my bruises until I

ext M

ache. My eyes scanned my room,

r at that point was f

ad?" I w

A familiar voice

and on my head. "You're saf

es came flo

y. I apologized. Thanked

a and made me promised not to

ai

he said gently. "But please.... T

bac

ed me that even in the deepest da