Chapter 4

I walked into school with Shelby; I didn't see Michael anywhere. We hung out in the courtyard until he showed up. He ran up "Sorry was late getting up." I noticed red smudged lipstick on his jawline, he stared at me "What?" Shelby saw it and said, "I'll see you at lunch Addison." I asked, "Who's red lipstick?" He became nervous but quickly fixed his posture "My little sister. She thought it was fun getting into my mom's makeup this morning... I'm embarrassed I thought I got it all." I laughed "That's pretty funny." He smirked "I love your laugh."

I felt my cheeks burning, he smiled "Want to leave?" I looked around "I can't miss class." He raised his eyes like he was irritated "Alright." He started walking away, I stopped "Where are you going?" He sighed with irritation "Ditching, you're being lame." I slightly frowned "What?" He shook his head "I'll see you later Addison." He left and I started walking to class when my phone rang. I looked at it, Jackson was face timing me. I answered it he was happy, he asked "What's up dork? Sorry didn't call. I went to bed early." I wanted to cry but I kept it together, he noticed my facial expression change "What's wrong?" I faked a smile "Nothing. How's Stanford?"

He started telling me all about it and all the people he met. I zoned out on him and it became quiet. I became lost in my head. He grabbed my attention when I heard my name. He frowned "What is going on?" I faked a laugh "Nothing. I'm just overthinking a lot right now. When are you visiting?" He frowned "As soon as I can." I sighed "Um.." The bell rang cutting me off "I need to get to class. I'll call you on my lunch." I hung up before he could speak. I went to class.

Lunch came around, I didn't call Jackson. I ended up texting him instead, I finally told him I was dating Michael and he didn't respond the way I thought he would. He was confused at first but came around to it; I really thought he would have been upset about it. But why would he? I knew how he felt. It was still hurtful.

After school, I stopped by the lake. I tried calling Michael but he didn't answer. I got back in my car sighing and headed home. I was laying on the couch watching a movie when the doorbell rang. I ran and opened it to Michael "Hey. I know it's late. I want to apologize for earlier, I was annoyed with one of my teachers." I leaned on the door "Why didn't you call me back?" He exhaled "Got my phone taken away. Principal caught me ditching." I looked down at the carpet "Well... It's alright. I'll see you tomorrow?" He nodded "Want me to drive you?" I shook my head "No. I have some things to do after school." He became irritated "Like?"

I became quiet for a few seconds "...... I.. Um... I have to help Jackson's mom then I have to clean and empty the pool." He looked away "So no time for me?" I frowned "I'm sorry. We can hang out Friday?" He rolled his eyes and walked away. I shut the door and went back to my movie.

The school year went by quickly, and Michael became more protective and jealous toward me. I believed it was because he loved me. Jackson came out over spring break and Michael didn't like that much. He never mentioned it to me until months later. His words got harsher. I loved him and was dumb enough that I still wanted him. So I stayed.

We were graduating in a few months; I broke up with Michael. I wanted him to understand that I wasn't someone he could treat badly and push around. He came to me after a few months claiming he was helping himself to get better for us. I believed him. Within a few weeks, we were back together and things were much better. He treated me well and respected me.

Our graduation came quickly. Jackson came to mine, I saw him and jumped into his arms "I missed you!" I put my feet back on the floor and saw Michael's face. He quickly smiled "Hey man!" Jackson smiled "What's up bro?" I looked at Michael "Let's show him the bridge babe!" Michael got irritated but agreed. We drove to the bridge in my car; we walked along the bridge. Michael stopped "I forgot my phone in the car. Addison, can you come with me?"

He grabbed my arm pretty rough, Jackson noticed "Whoa cool it with the grip." Michael ignored his comment "Babe please." Before I could talk Jackson said, "I think that's a no." Michael let go and walked back to the car; Jackson waited for him to walk a distance away before he spoke "What's going on?" I looked at him "Nothing. He didn't grab me that hard, I don't think he meant to." He exhaled "You better tell me Addison if he hurts you because I will hur..." I cut him off "Jackson he has never laid a hand on me." I heard the train coming "Watch this!"

I placed a penny on the train tracks and we watched as the train went over it. I picked it up once it passed "Here." He smiled "We used to do this as kids. You must not remember." He reached into my hand grabbing it from me "I'll keep this as my good luck charm." I smiled "I'm going to miss you." He frowned "I really wish you would go to Stanford with me." I frowned "Michael is here and I just don't want to be across the country from him." I lied.

Michael came back "Getting late we should head back." Jackson nodded "I agree." The drive back was awkward; we went back to my mom's. Jackson left back to his mom's, and Michael and I spent time at my house. As soon as I closed the door and turned to him he slapped me as hard as he could. I fell on the floor with blood coming from my mouth; I was in shock. He grabbed the collar of my shirt and yelled "When I say to come with me, you come with me. Why the hell would you show him our spot?"

I started choking on him gripping the collar tightly in his hand. He let go "Addison." I tried moving away but I felt weak. Then he kneeled "You're weak!" He forced me up and threw me at the stairwell. My back hit the railing pretty hard, I started coughing up blood. I sat helpless on the floor leaking blood. He pulled me up by my hair and I finally yelled "Stop!" I found every strength in myself and kicked him. It didn't help, he became angry. He threw a punch leaving me with no vision in my right eye.

I was breathing heavily, I grabbed my phone but he snatched it. I realized in his hand he had dialed Jackson's contact. He kept yelling at me "No one is going to help you! You're weak and stupid! I never changed you, moron! You believe your little best friend will help you!" I hoped it wasn't on voicemail then I noticed it hung up. I became scared. He threw my phone at my face making a cut from the shattered glass under my eye. I pulled myself up and lounged at him. He started punching me everywhere he could. I became pale, I reached into my pocket pulled out my car key, and stabbed it into him as hard as I could leaving no cut or scrap behind. He grabbed my hair and nearly broke my wrist to get my key from me.

Suddenly the door flew open and he was tackled. I lay catching my breath and used whatever strength I had to get up but I couldn't. I was barely conscious. I felt blood on the carpet, Jackson fell to my side but I barely heard him. He took his shirt off and wrapped it around my waist. I started whispering his name, he held my blood-covered hand. I started seeing flashing lights and other people entering. Who were they? Where am I?