An Eternity Of Gold

Chapter Eight: Markus

"You look great!", he greets, hugging me tightly. "Miss me?"

"Of course I did! It feels like it's been forever!"

I'm smiling like a fool but inside I'm screaming. My words are shaky and I'm trying to keep my cool but I'm so so scared of this person...

"Do you want to visit Ella with me later, Mark?"

"What? No, I came all the way here to see you, not her1"

My heart drops.

"Oh, ok...Well, we could go out to lunch somewh-"

I'm kissed, roughly. Strong hands grip at my waist, my back pressed against the wall. Eager fingers curl under my mini skirt and fumble with my underwear. My heart beats fast in my chest, hurting.

"H-hey, I don't wanna do that right now", I stammer. He stops.

"I'm gone for two months and you don't want me?", Markus asks.

"No, I do! I just-"

"Well, shut up then!"

More scrambling, feeling, forcing. He's nearly got my top off but there's a knock at the door.

"Tay? It's Aimee. Can I ask you something?"

I'm releaved but I almost don't get away with this.

"She can't talk right now!", Mark calls.

"Yes, I can!", I say, pulling myself off of him and buttoning up my shirt.

I open the door where Aimee greets me.

"Oh, who's this?", she asks on seeing Mark.

"Um..a friend"

"A friend?", he asks, shocked, "I'm her-"

"What was it that you wanted?", I ask Aimee and step out of the room, closing the door behind me.

"Alison...left behind some stuff- are you crying?"

"Help me", I whisper.

"What's wrong?", she asks, gripping my arm.

I can't speak, my words catch in my throat. Aimee leads me away from my room and into hers. I'm shaking so much and have to lie down. Panic swirls in my head.

"He's awful, Aimee! Oh, god help me"

"What? What's going on? Who is that guy?"

"He's my stupid boyfriend! I hate him! He's a monster!", I sob, "And so am I!"

I bury my face in a pillow, terrified. Aimee rubs at my back, reassuringly.

"Alright, Taylor. I need you to explain some things to me. I'm lost.."

"...Ella"

"What about her?"

"...I'm cheating"

Aimee gasps and gives me a little angered shove. She stands up, abruptly.

"You're going out again?!"

"Sort of! I dunno for sure. We kissed!"

"How long have you been cheating?!", Aimee asks, furious.

"About...less than a week...a week and eight days, technically"

"Eight days? What's with the eight days?"

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying not to let more tears fall.

"...Before the last week I had with her in New Zealand, I-"