Boyfriend Difficulty [Discontinued]

Chapter Ten: Unforgotten

Kurt POV

I unlocked the door, opening it cautiously. As I stepped inside, I was aware that Thad was watching me warily.

I turned to Thad, who immediately looked away. "It's okay," I said softly, sitting down on the floor so I was facing him. He was at a comfortable distance, one I knew he wouldn't mind.

Thad cautiously looked at me again. His eyes shone with fear.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I know that's what they all say, but it's true this time."

I paused. I didn't want to speak too fast, I gave him some time to comprehend.

"Is it okay if I tell you something?"

Thad nodded cautiously.

"It's why I transferred here. I used to have a boyfriend. We had a nice relationship, until he hit me."

I waited before continuing. I didn't want to trigger him.

"He always apologized. I forgave him. He just had a temper. Although I shouldn't have. It wasn't a temper. I realized, as time went on, that he did it in completely conscious mind."

"He meant to hit me."

"He was hitting me one day... when he started to kiss me. It felt nice, compared to what he usually did."

"But he didn't just kiss me. He took it too far, ignoring as I told him to stop. He raped me."

I took in a shuddering breath. I'm not even sure why I'm doing this anymore.

"Later, my family found out. I broke up with him. This," I gestured to the scar above my eye, "is what happened when he found out. So I transferred."

"I'm not looking for sympathy. Just... your friends are really worried about you. When they told me why, I realized that you reminded me a lot of how I was resisting acting. It was breaking me, to not give into it."

"So I thought you might be able to relate."

I took a deep breath. "Just know, that whatever happens between us, whatever you might tell me or do, stays between us. I won't tell them unless you want me to."

Then I stopped. I waited.

Thad nodded, his expression unreadable.

I gave him a small smile, heading to the door.

I was about to open it when I heard Thad clear his throat, stopping. If he wanted to say something, I would listen.

"Wait."

If a spiderweb could speak, that's what it would sound like. Delicate, soft, quiet, beautiful... but broken.

I turned back towards him. Thad swallowed.

"Thank you." He had difficulty speaking, but he did.

I smiled. "I'm proud of you." It slipped out before I could think about it, but I didn't regret saying it. He needed to know.

With that, I left. I don't think Thad had ever been told that before.