NEVER SAW BLUE
Chapter 2
He turned the volume of the TV down and laid the remote on the table. He stood and pulled the soft blanket aside and took each one of her arms and settled them around his neck. He pulled her waist down and carried her down the hall.
Laying her on the bed she turned the other side and mumbled something he could not make out. When her nightdress pulled up he noticed unfamiliar marks run up to her thighs. He traced the marks and they were more intense and redder the more he travelled up. He could not understand what they were. And where would she have got them?
She turned to him and he let go. He stood and walked back to the living-room.
He grabbed the papers on the table and started marking. Halfway through the fourth paper his thoughts ran away and reminded him of the box in his pocket. He laid the papers aside and felt the square box until it was in his hands.
Opening it a small diamond glistened. He took a breath, and looked at the picture across the table.
She smiled at him.
Finding out of their relationship the other professors had advised him to end the relationship. They all said the same thing. That it would end badly.
How could it end badly when he was so in love with her?
Hearing footsteps he quickly put it back in his pocket and turned.
She stood rubbing her arms "Jeremy"
"It's late honey go back to bed"
"When are you coming to bed?"
He stood and smiled "I have a couple more papers to mark; I'll be there in an hour prox."
"Fine"
He smiled and kissed her before she walked back to bed.
God, he loved her.
When she woke she felt his arms around her. She loved waking up next to him and living with her father didn't exactly make it a regular thing. She turned and kissed him.
"Jeremy"
"Mhmm"
"Jeremy"
"What"
"I have to go"
"No"
"My Dad, remember him?"
"Stay with me" he said through his sleep
"What time did you come to bed last night?"
"Four a.m"
"Well I have to go; my dad will call any minute asking when I'm coming home"
"Wait I'll take you" he said laying back down when she pushed him backwards.
"No you stay I'll just call a friend to pick me up"
He laid his head on the pillow too tired to form a sentence "Take my car"
"Jeremy, I'll be fine, okay"
She kissed him on the cheek and pulled the covers aside.
She stood and walked to the bathroom. Turning the shower on she took her night dress off and waited for the water to turn warm. She grabbed a towel from the bathroom cabinet and placed it on the shower rail. Stepping on she felt the same exact burns she had been feeling ever since that night.
She ran her hands through them.
She had no idea how long that night would haunt her.
"You're bailing out on me?"
"Well I'm sorry I thought we had plans to go to the library this weekend"
"Jeremy-"
"Chad is coming over, bye"
And the line went dead.
In the mention of Jeremy's name Taylor would always change the subject or be really uncomfortable. Perhaps hearing his name was too close for comfort for her. Gabriella never thought she would have to hide her boyfriend from Taylor even after telling her. If her best friend could not understand how could the rest of the school understand?
Sitting on the steps of the front porch he fiddled in her bag to call Chad when she saw a black Volvo pull up.
"You rang?"
"Yes, two hours ago" she said standing and dusting the dirt from her dress.
"Well, I had to pick up a friend first"
He closed the door for her and ran to the front seat.
"Oh great, what am I?"
"Oh Gabi, it's always nice to see you"
Seeing her stare back at Jeremy's house as he passed it he remembered the tantrum Taylor had thrown about how Gabriella was wasting her life for a man who was probably in it for the sex. Taylor could barely look Gabriella in the eye anymore.
"Is she mad?" She asked him above the Beetles song that was playing on the radio.
"About what"
"Me seeing Jeremy"
"Well yeah, she's a little pissed-"
"I knew it"
"Come on Gabi the guys about fifty"
"Please don't tell me you're also against it?"
"I'm not against it as much as I don't understand it"
"Well that makes two of us"
Chad took note of the car coming forward so he could stare back at Gabriella.
He never asked her what she meant.
Closing the door behind her she saw her Dad sitting on the stool having breakfast.
Although he was okay with her spending her Saturday nights at Jeremy's he always gave her a sad smile every time she packed her bag and standing by the front door waving when she would run to an awaiting Jeremy.
Getting inside he would sit in front of the TV and stare at an old picture of her and Maria. On her dying bed she had told him this would happen. She would grow up and want to know the world. And when that day came he should not get mad and stop her but rather let her live her life and coming back home would be up to her.
He promised her he would be there for his baby as a father and support whichever decision in life she made. But hearing the front door open and her quiet footsteps he knew those Sunday walk of shames would ultimately be summer visits, Christmas visits, phone calls.
"You're up early"
"Yes, I couldn't sleep" he said
"Are you okay Dad?" she put a hand on his forehead "God Dad you're burning up"
"It's the heat"
"Did you take your pills?"
"Everyday twice a day"
She sighed and put her bag on the counter.
"Breakfast"
"I already ate"
"Oh"
"Maybe I shouldn't leave on Saturdays"
"Do you remember that time when you were fourteen and you wanted to get your belly pierced?" he said softly laughing at the memory.
She shrugged at the irrelevance of the memory "Yes"
"I was so convinced that you were too young to have anything pierced on your body"
"I remember being mad at you" she laughed
"Your mother" he breathed "I could never understand that woman; she said we should let you get a piercing"
He watched him shake his head while staring far back in memory "'A fourteen year old having a piercing is unacceptable' I said, and she said we should let you get a piercing and the more I refused the more you would want it and end up doing it in some cheap place in secret"
His eyes glistened "She was the best thing that ever happened to me"
"Mom died this week" she said in remembrance
"Promise me you'll never leave me"
"Dad"
"Promise me"
"Yes of course"
She stood and held him. Holding him the way she did she saw that night flash back in her mind.
Them holding her legs apart.
"Dad, there's something I have to tell you"
"What is it sweetheart" he said still in the mindset of his deceased spouse.
"I didn't tell you the whole truth about-"she was prepared to tell him but when he turned and looked back at her she could not find the words. She knew he would be livid and want to find them. He would never stop until he found them.
And when he did he would kill them.
"I didn't tell you that I got a B in my Chemistry class last week"
"Well I'm sure you'll do better next time sweetheart"
"Yes"
"I'm so glad you agreed to have lunch"
"What are you talking about of course I would" Sharpay dismissed her and opened the menu
"So what do you feel like?"
"So, is Taylor coming?"
"She said she would be a little late"
"Oh, okay"
"So what salad, burger, rice" she laughed
"Actually I'm not really that hungry"
"Well that's odd, you invite me to lunch but you won't eat anything"
"My Dad made a big breakfast this morning but I will have mineral water"
"Then don't mind me if I stuff my mouth"
"No"
She laughed and the waiter came over.
Fifteen minutes later Sharpay's phone beeped "Taylor's not coming"
"Why"
"She said something about a house guest in her and Chad's apartment; I don't know what her deal is"
"Why didn't she call me?"
"Does it make a difference; we're here now we might as well eat, right?"
"I guess"
One thing about Sharpay; she could never read her emotions like Taylor could.
She missed her friend.
"Are you all right?"
"Jeremy, can I ask you a question?"
"You can ask me anything"
She sat on one of the empty seats before his next class came rushing in. "Do you think, I mean, I know you think you I'm too young for you but do you think I'm naïve?"
He cleared his throat quickly standing and closing the door "I don't think we should be discussing this-"
"I NEED TO HEAR IT"
"What's gotten into you?"
"Who knows, maybe this is me being my age, maybe this is me not being the perfect adult you think I am. Maybe I'm just an immature child after all"
"Gabi-"
The door pushed open and the intensity in the room was washed by the students that laughed their way through their seats. "I have to get to class"
Entering her Chemistry class she saw Taylor sitting on her normal place.
"I thought you would change seats"
"Why would I do that?"
"I don't know, maybe because I haven't seen you since Friday and you ignoring my calls"
"I was busy"
"All weekend"
"Just because you're dating our Biology professor doesn't mean we all have to suddenly abide to Gabriella Montez"
Later Gabriella stormed in at Taylor's apartment while she and Chad were making dinner.
"What the hell" Chad said her when she pushed passed him and straight towards Taylor.
"WHERE THE HELL DO YOU GET OFF TALKING TO ME LIKE THAT?"
"Gabi"
"AND WHO SAID I WANTED TO BE ABIDED TO?"
"I'm sorry"
"YOU THINK I LIKE THIS WHOLE SI-what?"
"I said I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have said the things I did but I was mad and-"
"Mad about Jeremy?"
"Yes"
"Why, is it because he's older than me or because he's our professor?"
"Both" Taylor gave the spoon to Chad and his upper lip curled on why he would have to now finish dinner. Taylor calmly guided Gabriella to the two seated couch. "I know you and I know when you're keeping something from me. I knew you were seeing someone in school but I thought it was the thirty-three year old school sweeper or the gardeners but I never imagined Mr. Robinson"
"I didn't plan it"
"I know I know but, I just think you don't know what you're getting yourself into with this man"
"'This man', Taylor he's not some stranger you just met, you know him, you know what he's like"
"Yes, I know that he lectures Sophomore Biology and that you like him, that's as far I know of him"
"Shouldn't the fact I love him be enough?"
"I know you love him, I know you do, and I pray he loves you too, I do but I don't think you've thought this through"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean by the time you're twenty or twenty-one he's is going to want marriage, children, a family, commitment"
"A family"
"Yes, a family"
"I'm not ready for that"
"Exactly, his not going to understand why you'll be reluctant or ambivalent on settling down with him"
"I guess I never thought of it that way"
"That's because you're mind was too focused on how much you love him"
She now remembered him asking for marriage that night when…
"Honey you're shivering" she said brushing her arms
"I'm fine"
"Do you want to lie down?"
"No I probably have about a thousand missed calls from Jeremy, I have to go"
"Look at you; you're as pale as the winter snow"
"I'm just tired"
"Go lie down in the guest bedroom I'll call your Dad"
"Thank you"
"Don't worry about it"
She walked the narrow passageway and turned the handle of the door.
Once she was far off hear range Chad whispered "Ah, Tay"
"Yes"
"Troy won't like to see a girl on his bed when he comes back from the drugstore"
"Oh, right, Well, I guess he'll just have to sleep on the couch"
"I can't have my friend sleep on the couch"
"And Gabriella should?"
"He's not going to like it"
The lights were out and at two a.m he grinded his heel on the flame of the cigarette that was a minutes ago in his mouth. He grabbed his keys and unlocked the door.
Quietly locking it he took small footsteps to his room.
He placed the keys by the mirror and sat on the bed. He untied his running shoes and tucked them under the bed. Standing he took off his hoodie and threw it to the chair by the window.
He then noticed that the windows were open and the night air danced with the beige curtains. He walked to the window and stared ahead. Mr. and Mrs. Nordien decided the better of themselves to not engage in one of their nightly fights. He took his pants off and the cool air caught with the bareness of his thin shorts. He sat on the balcony and closed his eyes.
Silent cries were heard.
He opened his eyes and searched for the source. He heard them again and only this time he turned his head.
He saw her. He saw the girl that occupied his nightmares.
All he could think about was ways he could run.
She tossed and turned and the occasional moan. Still wanting to leave, he thought he could send her back to fairy land without waking her. Climbing back inside he walked near the bed and slowly bent his hand.
Being on the end of the bed the distance of his feathery strokes did not satisfy her so he walked around and stood by her. He gently stroked her once again and her tossing gradually slowed to a final stop.
When he grabbed his jeans she sat upright and yelled "NO!"
He stood with his jeans in hand not knowing what to do. Her hair stuck to the sides of her face and her undergarment was almost matched by the darkness of the night.
She looked down at herself and up again.
The memory of the way his blue eyes were blood red came back to her. She looked down and he was undressed.
He brought them back she thought. He was going to hurt her too.
She panicked and opening her mouth to scream he dropped his jeans and sprinted to her. When he covered her mouth she was sure he came back for her. Her eyes widened and he whispered
"Don't make a sound" his voice was hoarse and deep and he had a slight mustache threatening to grow just below his nose.
"Don't make a sound Miss" he repeated only this time begging her instead of authoritative
"I'll let you go if you promise to be quiet"
She found her anger and jolted his hand away. She stood and looked for something to grab. Seeing nothing she pulled the lamp of its hook and held the stand towards him.
"I'll call the cops, I swear"
"I don't want to hurt you"
"How did you find me? Were you following me? What do you want?"
"Let me explain"
"I won't let you hurt me again"
"I don't want to hurt you"
"Are your friends hiding somewhere?"
"I'm not going to hurt you Miss"
"Then what do you want from me?" she asked him holding herself up
"Nothing"
She looked around "Are they here?"
"No one's in this room but you and me"
"Are they coming?"
"No ma'am, I promise I won't hurt you"
"STOP- lying to me Dammit"
"I'm not, I stay here"
"How" she said confused
"I'm friends with Chad; he let me stay here for a couple of days before I leave"
She sat down with the lamp in her hand "I don't want to see you again"
"I understand" he said
"No, you don't, I don't want to see you I don't want to ever see you"
"I'll leave"
She put the lamp back on the table with the hook hanging loose "Did you hear me that night" she asked him in the night
"Yes"
"Did you see me?"
"Yes"
"Did you see what they were doing?"
"Yes"
"How many times did I ask you to help me?"
"Fourteen"
She looked up at him"What's my name?"
"I don't know"
"How old am I?"
"I don't know?"
"Was I a virgin?"her lips quivered
"I don't know"
She stood "Did you want to help me and don't you dare say I don't-"
"Yes"
"Then why didn't you?"
"I don't know"
She bit her lower lip and shook her head while trying not to look down for the weakness that would would stream down her face. "Having three guys rape you hurts"
"I wouldn't know"
"Do you still remember it?"
"Every time I close my eyes"
"Every time you close eyes" she laughed and crossed her arms "I FUCKING FELT IT YOU ASSHOLE!"
He looked down and dropped his jeans.
"There are marks all over my arms and legs. I HAVE TO COVER UP WHAT YOUR FRIENDS DID TO ME"
"They're not my friends"
"I DON'T CARE" she ran to him and punched him in the face. His mouth was bloody and cut. But seeing the blood on him and not on her made her feel like she wasn't such a victim and feeble.
"I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU"
"GABRIELLA WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Taylor yelled while Chad pulled her away from Troy.
"HE DESERVES TO BE HURT JUST AS MUCH"
"What are you talking about?" she asked her friend as she fought Chad's grip
"I WANT HIM TO FEEL WHAT I-"She looked at his sorrowful face to Taylor's confused expression.
"What's going on, Troy" Chad asked him once he let her go
"I NEED TO GO"
She ran out the door and called Jeremy from a payphone once she had calmed herself down.
"I need you"
"I'm on my way"
And he was.
He rushed out the car and picked her up from the sidewalk she was sitting on. She hadn't known she had zoned out when she was on his bed and both his hands were on the sides of her dress.
"Could you get me some water?"
"Of course" he said and was out the door.
She got out the bed and pulled her dress up. Throwing it on the chair she threw on his shirt and climbed back in bed.
"I added some sugar" he said when he came back in
"Thank you"
He sat next to her and she felt the warmth of the glass calm her down. She took a breath and opening her eyes she was met with his concerned eyes.
"I'm fine, really"
"Was it the same people?"
"What"
"The people who mugged you before, was it the same people now?"
"Ahm…how did you know I was mugged?"
"You never go anywhere without your bag. I assume since it's not with you…"
"Right, I don't know, it all happened so fast"
"That's it" he stood and grabbed the phone "I've had it with these guys"
"What are you doing?"
"Calling the police"
"No don't do that"
"This is what I should have done in the beginning"
"Jeremy" she stood
"Hello, this is Jeremy Reynolds Robinson, someone tried to hurt my fiancé"
"Jeremy stop"
He told the operator he would wait and turned to her when his attention was converted by the bruised marks "What happened to your legs?"
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Thanks