I sit at the kitchen island rebandaging my wounds, the old bandages were in a pile next to me, damp with blood.
I was struggling quite a bit to wrap the bandages around my arms, and the wounds on the back of my shoulders were even worse. And I had no idea how I was going to do those on my hips and thighs.
Why do I always end up in these situations?
I continue to wrap the white fabric around my forearms, dwelling on yesterday's events and todays. I'm glad I went with Christina, it distracted me for a good couple hour which has helped me process everything a little more. I still don't understand why she even bothered to talk to me, I certainly wasn't going to talk to her, but I can see us becoming good friends in future. I hope we can be friends, it would be nice to hang around with a girl instead of just the guys.
"Here, let me do that." I look up to see Peter with his hand out in front of me. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't even hear him enter. He didn't look particularly happy; his lips were turned downwards at the corner and his brows scrunched together in a knot. He sits on the stool next to me and takes my arm in his hand. He began wrapping more bandage around my arm, doing a lot better job then I was doing. He wasn't saying anything, which is weird because he always has something to say. I continue to watch him, but he never looked up at me just stared at a bruise on the inside of my thigh. Crap.
"There's some bruises in some strange places." He mentions quietly and finally looks up at me as he ties a knot at the end of the bandage. He leans back against the island and raises a brow at me.
"What?" I half laugh a fake laugh.
"You don't need to play that act with me Taura." I just stare at him blankly. "I know exactly what happened last night."
"Oh my god." I mutter, taking my arm out of his grip and turning away from him so he didn't see the saddened look on my face.
"I realized you were lying to Four and I went and found the CCTV footage myself." He tells me calmly.
"And what did you do with that footage?" I ask him, my voice trembling.
"Nothing. I promise." He states, and I turn to face him again.
"Okay." I say before pushing myself off the seat and begin walking away. I can't believe he would do something like that.
"Are you mad at me?" He asks, moving to follow me.
"Well I'm not happy about it. I wasn't going to tell anyone what happened. At least not yet."
"I know, but I couldn't stand the thought of someone hurting you like that and I care about you too much to let it just slide."
"I know, that's what I was scared of." I stop in the middle of the room and turn to face him, fiddling with the ends of his jumper which I was still wearing.
"What do you mean?" He cringes.
"Well like making irrational decisions that could make it worse or you are doing something that gets you hurt or in trouble. I don't know even just making me talk about it." That was my biggest fear about telling anyone. I know Peter, and I know what he can do which frightens me.
"So, someone just randomly walks into your life and rapes you and me, as your boyfriend, isn't allowed to do anything about it?!" He stresses.
"Peter, no one just walks into my life and does that." I could feel the salt from my tears sting the bruises on my cheeks.
"What so he did something before this?!" His voice began getting louder and I could feel pockets of air building up in my throat. I just nodded lightly. "Well what the fuck did he do?!" He shouts at me. I felt myself begin to tremble. I really didn't want to be talking about this, at least not under these circumstances. I just need to get out of here.
"The- the cut on my lip… that was him." I can see an ember burning in Peter's right eye and, I won't lie, it scares me. "and my seizure, I'm almost certain he slipped me a pill. And then the day before that, he started touching me."
"Are you kidding?! Why the hell would you wait until now to tell me?!"
"I did tell you, I just didn't know who he was then."
"Okay so when you did, why didn't you come to me?" His voice seems to soften.
"Because he's your friend and-and you know Sam better than I do so I thought you might not believe me." I was met with silence for a while.
"Apples, just because he was my friend doesn't mean I would defend him over you." He comes to me and places his hands on my hips. I wince as his fingers dig into the scratches. His face had softened along with his voice and it made me feel safe once again. "But- "
"There is no but. You're the most important thing to me. Fuck any one else. Unless it's a dog, dogs always come first." What he said fills me with a warm feeling and gives me butterflies in my stomach. "I'm sorry that I got loud, I just got offended when I thought you didn't trust me."
"Peter, anytime I put my trust in someone back in amity they'd use it against me later down the line. So, it's well drilled in my brain to be wary of who I get too comfortable around. Yeah okay, I have some trust issues, but you have to understand that it's not a simple fix for me and it's going to take me a shit ton of time to be able to tell you something's."
"Okay. I understand and I'm sorry. Just remember that you can tell me anything. I'm always here for you." He smiles warmly, moving his hands to cup my face. I could feel his thumb erasing a tear from my cheek and I leaned towards it, resting my head against his hand.
Peter closed the distance between the both of us, pulling my lips to his. It was slow and soft. Soothing and comforting in ways I can't put into words. His hands move from my face as he wraps his muscular arms around my waist, forcing me against his chest allowing me me to entangle my fingers in his thick hair.
I pull away from him but keep my arms around his neck and his stayed around my waist. He growls lowly at me in his usual husky voice before beginning to sway me side to side gently, his right hand rubbing the small of my back and further down. I didn't care this time, it made me feel safe and secure and happy and nervous and a whole ton of other feelings which I liked.
"Can I ask you for a favour?" He smirks, his fingers finding the ends of my hair. I raise my right brow flirtingly and cock him a side smile.
"Depends whether I like it or not."
"Can I please punch Sam in the face…" he exaggerates and I roll my eyes sarcastically at him. "Like really really hard… at the edge of the roof so he just ya know… falls right off." He cringes, probably assuming my response would not be good.
"I'm flattered but maybe we should see what he does next before making any rushed decisions." I say running my hands over his chest.
"But it would really help to let my anger out." He fake pouts, forcing his bottom lip out.
"Well then you should probably find another way to let your anger out while I take a shower." I smile, pat him on the shoulder and then begin walking away.
"Fine, I'll go put Raul in a headlock…" he sighs jokingly (I think). I give him a grin and an eyeroll before closing the bathroom door behind me.
I walk out of the bathroom wearing just a sports bra and short, raking my hands through my wet hair with a towel. Peter was slumped on the sofa scrolling through his phone when he looked up at me, his mouth falling open slightly but quickly turns into a wide grin. I could feel his eyes running up and down my body like a scanner. I watch him bite his lower lip as he finds my eyes. A devilish glint was in the back of his eye.
"Why you looking at me like that?" I laugh.
"Is that all your wearing tonight?" He asks, the grin not fading.
"Yes, it's boiling in here. Why, is there a problem with it?"
"Oh no. No, there is absolutely no problem here." He smiles, patting the spot next to him which I take, sitting on it with my legs crossed. "You know, I almost forgot you had that tattoo." He says, running his hand over my shoulder which was home to my apple tattoo.
"Oh yeah, I guess I did too, is it looking alright?" I ask, knowing that it's been a while since I checked on it.
"It's perfect. Like you." He smiles as I look over my shoulder. That makes me blush.
"Would you stop being so flirty today." I laugh, placing smacking him on the thigh.
"Sorry, I'm just feeling affectionate." He giggles playfully, kissing the crevice of my neck softly and I had to gulp back a moan. He wraps his arms around the front of my waist pulling me back against him as he nuzzles his face into my shoulder.
"Peter stop, your hands are cold!" I exclaim as he runs his hands over the skin of my stomach.
"You said it was boiling!" He laughs into my shoulder, sending chills down my spine.
"Yeah but your hands are sub zero!" I giggle, and he begins tickling me, making me squeal.
"Peter! That's cold, stop!" I can feel his chuckle vibrating against my neck making me squeal even more and him laugh even more. It was kind of a viscous cycle, which ended up with me falling off the couch onto the floor.
"Ouch." I giggle breathlessly. Peter looks at me with a half happy half worried expression written on his face.
"Are you okay?" He grins.
"Yeah, im great." I sigh, feeling rather bubblier than usual. I sit myself back on the couch, this time pulling myself against Peters chest and he quickly wrapped his arms around my body.
"I'm cold." I whisper, and I hear him groan.
"Sit up a minute." He rolls his eyes, swiftly pulling his shirt over his head. The knot in my stomach re-appears and I can feel myself go into fight or flight mode.
"What-what are you doing?" I stutter.
"You said you were cold." He says holding his shirt under my nose with a confused expression.
"Oh yeah course." I say, and he slips it over my head for me, leaving me to put my arms through the sleeves. I wasn't even done before Peter sweeps me onto his lap, his hands cupping my ass in his palms with the charming grin still on his face. I run my hands from his neck down his chest slowly, until I could wrap my arms around his waist and press my body against his, leaning my head against his shoulder. It was moments like this with Peter that I enjoyed the most, they relaxed me yet filled me with excitement. I hear him moan lightly as my lips 'accidentally' brush against his neck.
"I can't decide which I like more, you with my shirt on or without it?" He smirks against my ear.
"Of course, you can't." I smile against him. And I could feel my eyes fluttering to a close as Peter rubs his hands up and down my thighs.
Peter's POV
I rub my eyes as I wake from my sleep, it was apparently now morning and I don't even remember falling asleep.
Turns out we both ended up sleeping on the couch, Taura laid between my legs, her arms around my waist and her head against my chest. Her long black hair creating a sort of blanket over the top of us – a very soft blanket – not that it was needed, I put a blanket over Taura earlier. I couldn't help but stare at her, running my hands through her hair, twizzling the ends at the bottom.
She's perfect. The only thing I want in my life right now. She makes me think about things differently, in ways I haven't thought about before. She makes me a completely different person, maybe even a better person.
This is true bliss. I love her so much.
And today I'm going to fuck it all up! Yet again. I was such an idiot. And as soon as Taura finds out what I did, I'm almost certain that's going to be the end of us.
2 days. Way to go Peter.
I regret everything I did yesterday. I lied to her. I did do something with the footage. Something really awful.
But I did it because I love her, so even if I do muck it up, I can rest assure I did the right thing, right?
Taura begins to stir on top of me, her cute little head moving around on my chest. I decide it's probably best to wake her up, I promised everyone we'll actually be at breakfast today. I rub the small of her back through my/her shirt, digging my fingers in slightly. I hear her groan lightly to me interrupting her sleep.
"Taura, wake up. Babe…" I whisper to her. I watch her eyes flutter slightly before she rolls her head so it's faces down on my chest.
"5 more minutes." She whines, her lips moving against me as if it was an attempt to torture me.
"No, we need to get up, we have to go for breakfast." I say patting her back lightly.
"Can't we just stay in today?" She props her head up and gives me big puppy eyes. And I swear I could melt like a marshmallow if I stare into them for too long. But I have to stay stubborn.
"As appetizing as that sounds, you need to eat just as much as I do, and I know that Raul is dying to see you." I pout.
"Ugh fine." She sighs, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. Her back was facing me, and I sit up myself, gripping her shoulders in my palms and massaging them for her.
"Does that help wake you up, gorgeous?" I whisper flirtingly before trailing wet kisses down her neck, continuing to press my hands into her shouders.
"Mm Yeah." She moans, leaning into me.
"Good. Now I'm hungry, let's go." I perk up, flashing her a grin before standing myself up. She had a disappointed look over her face.
"Your mean to me." She pulls a fake pout.
"Well after breakfast you can have me all to yourself, I promise this time." I wink at her. Of course, I can only keep that promise if we make it past breakfast.
"Okay, just let me get changed."
"Um, no I think you should wear that." I smirk, and she gives me a baffled look.
"Because I'm very keen on showing everyone that your mine, and what better way to be possessive then make you wear my shirt in public?"
"Fine okay, but let me tie my hair back, it's looks like a complete mess." Seriously girls need to stop being picky. Her hair looks fine.
"No, it doesn't. It looks hot." I wink again. She turns to look in the mirror, cocking her head from side to side.
"Yeah your right. Let's go!" She grins, gripping my hand and pulling me out the door.
We enter the canteen and my heart pounds in my chest as I think of what's to come. I snake an arm around Taura's waist, pulling her against me, giving her a kiss to the temple like I always do. I could see out the corner of my eye a small group of lads staring at her. I wink at them and mouth 'mine' while pointing at myself with a grin. They roll their eyes at me and I have to stop myself from laughing.
Raul was already sat at our designated table, the centre of the The Mess Hall. He sits on one side of the wooden table on his own with three others sat on the opposite side. Cody, Brad and crap… Sam.
"Peter…" Taura whispers, stopping me in my tracks. She had a panicked look on her face, clearly noticing those sat at the table.
"I know, just stay calm, as soon as he sees your scared that's when he strikes. Don't worry, I'll fix it." I sooth, gripping her waist tighter.
I let her sit next to Raul, with me on the opposite side. I watch Sam shuffle along the bench to be exactly opposite Taura and I feel the anger bubble in me. It's taking me all the strength I can muster to not launch my face at that smug grin of his.
"Where were you yesterday?" Raul asks Taura, placing a hand on her shoulder. She turns to face him and gives a weak smile. Clearly Sam is getting to her.
"Oh um-"
Sam cuts her off, "yeah, Raul I forgot to tell you! The reason why you didn't see Taura around yesterday was that she was busy saving my life." I place my hand on Taura's leg, rubbing my thumb over her smooth yet damaged skin. She had fear written over her features and I can tell Sam is using it blatantly against her, dragging Raul into this little game of his, Taura's biggest weakness. Just wait until I stop playing by the rules.
"What?" Raul grimaces a smile, his eyes switching between Sam and Taura repetitively.
"Yeah, Four was accusing me of the most bizarre things even threatened to kill me." He puts on his act.
"Apparently even stuck a knife to his throat." Brad pipes up, swirling his fork in the air.
"And that's where my knight in black armour stepped in. A very brave fleet if I do say so myself." He grins, taking a sip of his coffee, keeping his eyes locked on Taura.
"Well she was always a bit of a hero in Amity." Raul grins, clearly not catching the same loopholes I did the first time around.
"You really do fit into Dauntless, Daniels." He smirks before standing up from the table. "Well boys, and girl, I have some business to take care of. I'll see you all around." He gives me and Taura one last nod before stalking out the canteen. I wonder what business that may be.
"Sounds like you're quite the rockstar around here, Tee." Brad pops up again. I have a feeling he's flirting with Taura, no one calls her Tee apart from Raul.
"Oh, I don't know whether it's for all the right reasons." She sighs, placing her hand on top of mine.
"Since when were there 'right reasons' in dauntless?" Cody snickers.
"True…" She cocks her head to the side and raises her brows briefly.
"Oh Eric- what a surprise?" Raul pipes up and the other four heads turn to see Eric stood at the end of the table with his usual emotionless expression. Here we go.
"Thanks for the Amity greeting, Christopher. But I'm not here for the small talk."
"Okay, what brings you here then?" Raul questions.
"Actually, I'm here to speak to Taura."
"Okay…" Taura pulls a baffled look and I can feel my stomach do several backflips.
"In private." He says with a hint of softness in his voice.
"Oh, um okay." Taura mutters and I notice her gulp slightly, glancing at me before getting up, her hand leaving mine.
I did something with that footage.
I gave it to Eric.