Scars

Chapter 7

Colton and I spent the next few days without talking about me. Soon it was his 21st birthday. We bought him the most adorable Batman cake. “Happy Birthday.” I kissed him on the lips to wake him up. “Blimey you’re up early.” He teased “Hey I haven’t fallen asleep yet don’t give me too much credit.” I laughed as I walked downstairs with him. He saw the presents “Happy Birthday Colton!” said his family and he smiled “Thanks guys.” We sang happy birthday to him and he blew out the candles. “What did you wish for?” I teased. “Can’t tell it’s a secret.” He winked as we ate cake first thing that morning.

                After we had finished with the cake he had opened the presents. His parents had gotten him a recording studio that they had been having made down in the basement. He was excited to see that it was almost completed. Schyler had gotten him a cute little box to keep his Batman things in as well as to keep some of the things he had made for Baylie. Then it was my gift’s turn “I wonder what it is.” He laughed as he opened it “Aww Hollie I love it! That jacket is so rad!” He smiled putting it on “Aww I'm glad baby.” I smiled.

He kissed me on the lips for the first time in front of his parents who got a nervous look on their faces. I wonder why that is….do they hate me? I thought getting nervous. Colton seemed to notice it too “Mom, Dad what’s wrong?” “We worry about you Colton is all…” Michael said. Great. They think I'm going to hurt him don’t they. Don’t they know he means more than anything to me? “Guys please don’t worry about me. I'm okay. Hollie has gotten me through so much please don’t worry about me. I know I'm not going to lose her.” He said holding me tightly. A part of me sunk hearing him having to clarify this to his family. Did they really think I was going to turn out like her? I mean sure I’d gone through a lot but even if my ex-boyfriend found me I knew I would never feel like I wanted to die ever again. I had Colton to live for and never hurt. “Holl are you okay?” he said sensing me getting upset. I shook my head finally letting myself cry. “Guys you see what you did. You have to believe in Hollie. You didn’t believe in Baylie no wonder she’s gone now no thanks to any of you!” he yelled a bit comforting me.

                I was very lucky to even have Colton in my life. He knew exactly what I needed to hear. While of course it hurt that his parents were worried I’d go, I knew in my heart I wanted just to prove them even more wrong. “I'm sorry.” He whispered to me. “Don’t…you know me it makes me just glad to know that you believe so much in me. I’ve needed you for a long time.” I whispered finally feeling relief. “I'm so glad Holliepop.” He smiled at me and kissed me again. I never wanted this to end between us. I knew it wouldn’t ever end up that way.

                His parents did apologize to me and I knew they really didn’t mean any harm by it. They explained they were more worried about Colton’s reaction if anything did happen to me not just due to myself but even as in my stalker ex-boyfriend finding me. I understood now what they meant but Colton of course wasn’t satisfied with that. I worried a little bit about him at times when he would get upset if anything and I mean anything was said about me. I loved that he cared so much about me and everything but I knew sometimes people didn’t mean things the way they came out. This was the main reason why I was afraid to tell him my story. I knew he would be hurting right along with me.

                Colton took my hand and went upstairs with me again. “I'm just glad now I can share anything with you Holliepop. Being alone I mean as much as it helped me it also would pain me to be alone so much. From the day I met you, you reminded me so much of what I loved about Baylie. When Schyler asked if you could stay of course I had wanted you to be able to stay here forever. I felt like I’d seen that look on her face when I had rescued her from her home. It was the same look you had on coming home with Schyler and I. I just knew you’d been through something terrible. I never want you to ever feel alone. I knew I had another chance with you. You just reacted like Baylie did to so many things that happened the first week. You had a fear of trusting anyone which I understood. You always seemed to care whenever I had anything to say to you and you’re great to Sky.” He smiled at me.

                I smiled back knowing I had to tell him now. Just everything. From start to finish. No details left out, no matter how graphic or terrifying it was for me. “Colton….I think I can tell you now.” I said bravely. Yes this is where I was at the beginning of our story here. Just note this may span over quite a few chapters. It’s a lot to take in even for me and I lived this living nightmare. You will hear about every scar and every line on me. Where I was beaten, where I was bruised. How I met Skylar who I refer back to a lot. There will be times where you are so proud of me and there are plenty of times where you will cry. I did. No matter how strong you think I am after all of this I can assure you I'm as scared as anyone you know who may not have even gone through something so traumatic.