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       #Post#: 2776--------------------------------------------------
       Sleepless Nights
       By: Veranex Date: October 24, 2012, 9:27 pm
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       Before I post this, I need to give this a warning. It has abuse
       and language in it. So read it at your own risk. I also moved
       around some of the cuss words, like spelling, so you guys know
       what words I mean. Seeing as this forums will turn them into
       "****".
       “You stupid, worthless, useless piece of siht!” He roared at me.
       I whimpered and curled myself into a ball, flinching as if every
       verbal blow was physical. It hurt..it hurt each and every time,
       and part of me was begging, screaming really, for it to be over.
       That it wouldn't go further than it has before in the past.
       I felt his hand grab my hair and drag me out of my pitiful ball
       and hauled me up.
       “Well!?” He screamed at me. “What do you have to say for
       yourself?”
       “I-I-I’m sorry.” I stammered out. “I’ll try to never do it
       again.”
       “You’ll try? TRY?! You better do better than that, you hear
       me?!”
       “Yes! Yes!” I whimpered, tears streaming down my face.
       “There’s a good girl...” he said. Then he slammed me against the
       wall, and I bit back my cry of pain.
       “Now pick this siht up and go re-make dinner” he commanded as he
       flopped down on the couch and turned on the TV.
       I shakily got to my feet and slowly made my way to the kitchen,
       seeing my hard made dinner, only a little burnt, thrown against
       a wall and ruined. I dared not to even let out a sigh, just went
       over to the pantry and tried to find something that I could make
       quickly, yet still would make him happy.
       I glanced over and saw a box that contained most of the stuff I
       needed for homemade pizza, grabbed it, and silently thanking
       whatever that was out there that the oven was already warm and
       would pre-heat quickly.
       “How long will dinner take, woman, I’m starving here!” I heard
       him yell over the TV.
       “Thirty minutes tops!” I answered, praying my voice wouldn’t
       come out as scared or frightened. Instead of replying, he just
       grunted. I had to hurry and get this made, so I pushed the pain
       I was feeling away from me and just focused on my task.
       Dinner was ready right when it hit thirty minutes, and I was so
       hoping the night would get better...but of course, it didn’t. I
       brought him a beer and two slices of pizza, warning him “It may
       still be a little hot, so you may want to let it cool for a
       minute or two.” and he took it from me, not taking his eyes off
       the game.
       Then there was a loud knock on the door. I jumped up in surprise
       and glanced over at him. He was staring at me so intensely that
       I was getting more nervous and scared by the second.
       “Expecting someone, darling?” He said coldly.
       I shook my head. “N-no. Not at all.”
       “Then go answer it.”
       His voice was too cold, too quiet...that’s when I knew how close
       his temper was to the surface. I nodded and quickly walked over
       to the door, hoping none of my bruises were showing, and opened
       it.
       And there stood my best friend since childhood, Jasmine. She was
       about five foot five inches, had blonde hair past her shoulders,
       and bright blue eyes. She studied me, looking me up and down,
       taking notice of what was wrong. Out of so many people, she knew
       what was going on. I never told her, and I have never admitted
       to it. She keeps trying to get me to stay with her some nights,
       to see if I will spill...but I am far too much a coward to let
       anyone know. Besides...that fate would end up being a
       disaster...for everyone.
       “Jas,” I hissed at her. “What are you doing here?”
       “I was just in the neighborhood and thought I would drop by...”
       She said as she sniffed the air, just walking in. “Do I smell
       homemade pizza?”
       “Who is it, babe?” I heard him ask, his voice all sugar and
       nice. He always gets on his best behavior when in public or when
       people are over...he’s the sweetest, kindest, caring
       person...like the person I fell in love with.
       “It’s just me, Phil.” Jas answered, not buying the tone. “I was
       just in the neighborhood, since I had to run a few errands this
       way, and figured it’s been so long since I’ve seen my Belle.
       I’ve got gossip to catch her up on.”
       My stomach started to churn with fear. I knew Phil wasn’t going
       to like this, not at all. Once she leaves, he will blame me for
       making her come over, and then....then...there would probably be
       very little sleep for me tonight.
       “I’m sure five minutes won’t be too long, right, honey?” I asked
       him, keeping the nerves out of my voice.
       “Of course not...just don’t get too loud, if you don’t mind, the
       game is almost over and they are in a tie.” He replied.
       I quickly grabbed Jas’ hand and dragged her towards the kitchen
       table. “What are you doing?!” I hissed again at her.
       “Dropping by books.” She replied and held out a bag.
       I smiled at her, took the bag, and started to look through it
       when I heard her ask.
       
       “And asking if you are okay.” Her voice was in the no nonsense
       tone. I could feel her eyes just staring down at me while I
       still careful kept my eyes down at the books.
       “I am fine, why would you ask if I wasn’t?”
       “Dammit, Belle,” she sighed under her breath. “Why won’t you say
       anything? We can help!”
       I glanced up at her and said “I would if there was something to
       say, but there is nothing. Except, I do need to return some
       books to you.”
       She waved her hand, dismissing it. “Give them to me next time we
       have a girl’s night out. It’ll be easier. I have tons of stuff
       in my car at the moment.” I nodded at her.
       It went silent after that. At least for a few minutes. Then she
       glanced at her watch and said “...4 minutes gone, I better head
       out.” She wrapped her arms around me, and I flinched. She
       frowned and just gently, so very gently hugged me. “I’ll always
       be here, Belle.” She whispered in my ear and let go. I nodded to
       her, gave a quick return hug, and started walking with her
       towards the door.
       “Take care of her, Phil. Take real good care of her.” She yelled
       to him.
       “Of course I will. Always have, right, darling?” He asked me.
       “Very much so.” I replied.
       Jas just shook her head, opened the door, and left. I shut it
       behind her, wondering how the rest of the night was going to go
       down, when I felt someone behind me.
       “Why was she here?” He growled.
       “B-books. She had new books to give me.” My voice shook as I
       spoke, and showed him the bag.
       “Did you ask her for more books?” He demanded.
       “N-no! No, I didn’t. S-she just knows I love to read, and we
       have done this all our li-” I was cut off by a painful,
       stinging, slap on my cheek. I was starting to see spots.
       “DON’T YOU LIE TO ME, BICTH. WHY WAS SHE HERE?” He roared again,
       grabbing my right shoulder and squeezing it painfully.
       I bit down on my tongue, trying hard to not scream. It always
       seems to set him off more...or he just enjoys it more and will
       get worse.
       “I-I’m n-not lying!” I cried, tears I was trying so hard to keep
       back betraying me and falling freely. “S-she just said she
       misses me and hopes that I will be there next girl’s night and I
       can return her books then!”
       The pressure on my shoulder lightened, not much, but some. And
       it was sweet relief...though it throbbed painfully. I was sure
       to have another bruise in the morning, which just means even
       more to cover up.
       “And when is this next...girl’s night?” he asked coldly.
       I almost shrugged but then just shook my head. “I don’t know...”
       “Do you want to go to the girl’s night?”
       I carefully glanced up at him, confused. Normally he hates it
       when I go and tended to accuse me of cheating and then...well, I
       get hurt worse. If the anxiety doesn’t make me sick first.
       “I....I,” Trying to find the correct words to say so he wouldn’t
       get angry. But the look he gave me showed he was getting more
       annoyed at my stuttering to find the words
       “I would. Because...I would like to hear how...their lives are
       going. To...be with my friends. I mean, you enjoy being with
       your friends too...and go out to see them a lot. So...yes, I
       would like to go out with my friends.” I answered softly.
       He processed my words carefully as I spoke, listening to each
       and every word as if he thought I would add something different,
       to catch a lie in the act. Then he nodded to me.
       “I can understand that...perhaps...perhaps I could let you
       go...” He said.
       Joy and hope started to sing inside my soul. Perhaps he is going
       back to how he used to be, maybe he is finally relaxing, going
       back to the man I fell in love with. Perhaps I am finally doing
       something right!
       “But hear me,”He growled and grabbed me by the throat, choking
       me slightly, leaning in close. “If you aren’t home when I say
       you should be home, if I find anything that suggests you are
       cheating on me, or if your friends know?” and he slammed me into
       the nearest wall.
       Pain travelled up my spin, my vision turning black and fuzzy,
       and I let out a whimper. If what he has done to me before wasn’t
       his worst...I think I would probably beg for death.
       “Now go clean yourself up. You’re a mess.” He told me and walked
       back to the couch, picked up his food and beer and unpaused the
       game.
       “Okay...”I whispered.
       I slowly got to my feet and started making my way towards the
       bathroom, thankful that I had just gotten the clean towels out
       of the drier and into the bathroom so I wouldn’t have to get
       them from the laundry room. Once I was in, I gently shut the
       door, wanting to lock it, but had to fight every part of me
       screaming at me to do so.
       I gently started trying to take my shirt off without hurting my
       right shoulder further. It was a bit difficult, but somehow I
       managed only with a bit more pain. Then I took my shorts off and
       I caught a glance of myself in the mirror. The side of my face
       where he slapped me was already swelling up, and I sighed. I
       turned around and glanced over my left shoulder and saw a few
       more bruises on my back.
       Thankfully, most of them can be covered, hidden...but the one on
       my face? I doubt even the best makeup artist in the world could
       hide all of that. I shook my head as I took off the rest of my
       clothes and turned on the hot water. Guess that will mean I need
       to think of a decent excuse. Once the water was warm enough
       coming out of the bathtub faucet, I switched it over to come out
       of the showerhead.
       The hot water felt...amazing. It was already starting to soothe
       my muscles, and my mind. I gently rested my forehead against the
       shower wall, just wondering where it all started to go wrong...
       Was it something I did? Did I do something to make him turn on
       me like this? I don’t understand what went wrong...it was so
       good in the beginning, even when he first moved in.
       Then...sudden changes happened, small enough at first that I
       didn't notice...then it was too late.
       I sighed and started washing my hair, just letting myself enjoy
       this relaxing shower. God knows I need some relaxing moments.
       Once I was finished, I turned off the water, got out, and
       wrapped a towel around me. I picked up my dirty clothes and
       tiptoed out of the bathroom to the bedroom. I quickly dried
       myself off, and put on my PJs. I took the towel that I wrapped
       around my head off and brushed my medium length dark brown hair.
       As I stared into the mirror, I started wondering about the
       excuse I would need to give about my bruise. I couldn't really
       think of anything solid besides that I was cooking and slipped
       on some grease and slammed my face against the counter.
       I sighed and shook my head. I hated lying...but it was easier
       than dragging my loved ones into this mess. I crawled onto the
       left side of the bed, curled up into a ball, and closed my eyes.
       Hopefully I can escape into my dreams tonight...and just sleep
       peacefully.
       I awoke sometime in the morning when it was pitch black and I
       felt someone wrap their arm around my waist. I kept my breathing
       as it was, even though inside I was panicking. It was Phil. He
       started to spoon me, getting as close as possible, and whispered
       into my ear “I’m so...so sorry. I love you.” And I felt
       something wet hit my cheek, as I kept my eyes close and
       pretended to be asleep. He was crying.
       This... didn't happen often. The crying even less often, enough
       so that I was so surprised. And this is one of the reasons why I
       stay with him. I know he is still the guy I fell in love
       with...even though I don’t know how much longer I can stay in
       this abusive relationship...
       I woke up the next morning, somewhat noticing the house was
       unusually quiet. Without thinking, I stretched my arms,gently
       touching a warm body beside me, and I froze. Phil rolled over to
       face me, and grabbed me by my waist and pulled me closer,
       nuzzling his face into my neck.
       He was always so loving in the morning.
       I laid there beside him for a few minutes, cherishing the
       moments of being able to just lay there with him, not worrying
       about being yelled at, insulted, or hit. After those few minutes
       were up, I murmured to him.
       “Phil...I really need to get up. I need to get the coffee ready
       for you, shower, and then get breakfast ready...”
       “Not yet...” he said softly, pulling me closer.
       I may update this again later, and I will let you know if I do.
       Thanks for reading! ^^
       #Post#: 2798--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sleepless Nights
       By: Sainsbo Date: November 2, 2012, 7:16 pm
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       Great story Ver, very descriptive!
       Spin should be spine I believe, but that was the only typo I
       found
       "most of the stuff I needed for homemade pizza," I think you
       could use a better word than "stuff" here. Maybe ingredients or
       something?
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