Forever

| Chapter Six ~ It's Okay ~ |

Abuse trigger warning

Noah's Pov
We sat there, underneath the tree, our eyes locked on the moon. My back rested against the tree and she was sat on me, her back resting against my chest. We'd put our clothes back on, and were both just silent for a while; enjoying the moment.

My hands rested on her stomach and she titled her head back a little to look at me. I smiled, as did she, and broke the silence.

"So," I began, softly stroking her hair from the root to the tips, "I never asked you."

"Asked me what?" She questioned, a look of confusion on her face.

"I never asked you if you would be my....you know....girlfriend?"

I suddenly felt nervous? Why did I feel nervous? We just, well, you know and I was nervous about asking her to be my girlfriend? I really needed to pull myself together.

"I've never had a boyfriend before," she replied, squirming slightly uncomfortably.

"You? Never had a boyfriend? How? You're stunning!"

She smiled and as quick as it appeared, it was gone.

"Noah," she started, her happy tone gone, "I'd love to be your girlfriend...but I don't want to hurt you."

"Hurt me? Why would you hurt me? How would you hurt me?" I replied, completely confused.

I pulled away from her and we were both sat cross legged, facing each other. What did she mean by hurt me? How could she hurt me? How could we not date after all that?

"Noah, I really like you. Like, really. I know we just met snd it sounds stupid-"

"No," I interrupted, "it doesn't. Richelle I'm liking you more and more each minute. Please, why can't we date?"

She gave a sad sigh before speaking again.

"Because we'll only ever be able to see each other if you're invited to these once a month parties," she sounded sad. "Listen, my parents won't let me leave the house, okay? If I asked to leave the house to go for a walk they'd yell at me, let alone meet a boy!"

She was upset and frustrated. In that moment I knew that something wasn't quite right. Something about her life. Her parents wouldn't let her go out? Why on earth would they not let her go out? I thought my parents were strict, but this just seemed cruel.

"Richelle," I softly mumbled, gently pulling her onto my lap into a hug, "why don't your parents let you go out? What else do they not let you do?"

I suddenly heard her sniff slightly, as if she were crying. Oh gosh. Why was she crying? What had I done? Something really wasn't right.

"Richelle, sweetie?" I tried to talk softly to her. "Could you please tell me what else your parents do? You don't have to, but I can try and help you if you tell me."

She pressed her head against my chest. I gently rubbed small circles into her back to comfort her. Why did I get the feeling that her parents didn't treat her right?

After a few minutes of her silently crying into my chest, she began to talk.

"They...they...they hurt me, Noah. They hurt me. They don't hurt my siblings, just me. They don't like me. They made me wear this dress. They didn't let me eat tonight. They...they..." she trailed off and began sobbing harder.

"Shhh, it's okay," I whispered into her hair. "You're okay."

I didn't think that she had ever had the chance to talk to anyone about that before. Over the years, she had so much, fear and anger built up. It was coming out now.

"Richelle," I asked after a few moments, "how often does this happen? The abuse?"

"Um," she paused for a moment, "everyday."

I was shocked. Angered. How could anyone hurt such a sweet girl? How could two parents hurt their own child? How could anyone hurt such an angel?

"Sweetie," I whispered, "could you look at me for a second? Please, sweetie."

She tilted her head up slightly. Her cheeks were wet with tears, her eyes had mascara surrounding them. She still looked beautiful. I kissed her forehead and pulled her head back into my chest.

"Richelle, I don't mind if we see each other once a month. I'll come to every party. I'll spend every minute with you. We can come up here if you want for the whole night and I can kiss you under the stars. You can tell me everything you want to get off your chest. I'll be here to comfort you, kiss you, hug you, make you smile, make you laugh, make you blush. Richelle, 've never met anyone like you. You're perfect."

Her eyes glanced up at me and she smiled. Her arms wrapped around my waist and she whispered, "thank you, Noah. You're my knight in shining armour, and I would be honoured to be your girlfriend."

I kissed her, and we watched the stars for the rest of the time we had left together.