So Wrong So Right

by Erica Marselas

  I’m shifting from foot to foot, my anxiety rising more and more every second the longer she takes to come out. I just want to get out of this god-forsaken town. Away from the devil that wants to do unspeakable things. Away from the evil one, who will never listen to me, and wants to keep me away from the man I love.

  After what seems like a lifetime the back door slides open and Tamara comes out. She rushes over to me and hands me her phone.

  “What did you tell your parents about coming out here?” I ask worried as my trembling hand takes the phone from hers.

  “Abbs, you’re shaking.” She wastes no time and wraps me in her arms. “I told them a friend was having a crisis and I would tell them more later. They tried to get more, but I said a boy, and my mom understood.” She backs away from me and touches my cheek. I flinch. “Who hit you?

  “It’s noticeable, huh?”

  Tamara nods, and I frown. I guess I’m not going to be able to hide it from Colin.

  “And no offense, but you smell—horrible.” Her nose twists and she takes a step back. Leave it to her to be honest Abe in a moment like this.

  I chuckle uncomfortably. “Yeah sorry, I didn’t have time to shower before I ran out. Victor hit me…it’s a long story, but in the end, I puked on him and he retreated giving me enough time to run out.”

  “Holy fuck!” she yells and her hand flies to her mouth, looking back at the house to make sure she didn’t draw attention. Thankfully, she didn’t. “Are you calling the cops? He always gave me the heebie-jeebies.” Her voice is now just above a whisper.

  “No. No. I’m calling Colin. He’ll get me out of here. If I call the cops I’ll have to face him again, face my mom, and I can’t. There’s too much going on.”

  “Wait? Colin? You’re step-brother? Why? His dad is the one that hit you? No. You can’t call him.” She tries to grab the phone from me, and I put my hand up, my eyes pleading for her to understand.

  “Tamara, there’s something you don’t know. And it’s going to sound twisted as hell, but it really isn’t as it seems.” The words come out in a rush, and I'm not even sure if they make sense.

  “Abbs? What’s going on? You can tell me anything.”

  I bow my head and grip her phone tight in my hand. She's always been there for me, she’ll get it. I mean, Dean sorta got it, so it'll be fine, but I need to hear Colin's voice first before I confess.

  “Abbs?” she rubs my arm, her voice heavy with worry.

  “I promise to explain everything, but I need to call him, or I’ll have nowhere to go.”

  She blows out a deep breath and nods. “But you better explain.”

  “I will, promise.”

  Somehow, some way. Now to get my shaky hands under control to call Colin. I only hope he answers. I need him more than ever now.

  It rings five times before going to voicemail. I leave a quick message and hang up. I text him telling him I’m calling from this number and to call me right away because it’s an emergency.

  “He’s not answering,” I murmur running my finger over the now black screen. Goddammit.

  I go to try again, and Tamara covers her hand over mine. “Give him a minute. You don’t want to keep calling in case he tries to call you back. Now, while we wait, spill.”

  I go into a quick story of how Colin and I got together, fell in love, and then how we got caught with our pants down. Literally. She listens, her face morphing from a smile to gaping shock to snarling anger.

  “Mom never sees the looks he gives me, never noticed how vile he was to me or Colin. When Victor hit him today, she didn’t care because he was a grown boy. She didn’t even care about the one time Victor even admitted to hurting me. In the end, Victor kicked Colin out, my mother is beyond disgusted and told me she will have him arrested if he comes near me. I mean I somewhat understand why, but she didn’t give me a chance to explain. She called me stupid and pretty much grounded me forever.”

  “Is that when Victor hit you? Your mom let him?”

  “No. My mom doesn’t know, and I don’t trust she would believe me if I told her.”

  “You have a bruise on the side of your face. How could she not?” she says with an astonished screech.

  “I told you she didn't even care when he hurt me before. She's lost all my trust. This isn’t even the worst of it either.” I shudder, recalling Victor’s hot breath on my skin, his hands on my breast, his—my stomach roils, and tears burn in the corner of my eyes at the memory. I suddenly smell him on me and now I'm more desperate to scrub my skin till it bleeds. “When Victor came into my room, he touched me, basically said he wanted to fuck me, and that's when I ralphed on him.”

  “I can't believe it. That someone would….” She shivers and puts her arm back around me. “I'm glad you came here. You know if you told my parents they would protect you, Abbs. My dad might even help shoot him.”

  There’s no doubt in my mind he would. Her dad is a lot like mine, uber-protective of their little girls.

  “It’s not something I want to risk right now. There’s one more thing.” I bite my lip, knowing I’m about to reveal the biggest news of all.

  “What else could there be?” Her voice squeaks and she steps back, looking me over. “He didn’t—no—right, you said…”

  “No, no. Not that. It’s just—you see, I’m pregnant.”

  “Holy—” She’s cut off by the cell phone in my hands going off. Colin’s number illuminates the screen and I answer it, leaving my friend's face staring at me with her jaw hanging open.

  “Colin,” I say his name like a prayer.

  “Abbs, where are you?” His worried voice echoes through the phone.

  “Tamara’s. Please tell me you’ll come and get me. I ran out and I have no idea if Victor is looking for me or if my mom knows I'm gone. Please…” I beg, trying to hold myself together, but the dam is already broken.

  “I’m on my way. I planned to get you on Monday from school. I figured they took your phone—”

  “I couldn't wait that long. Colin, I need you,” I cry, cutting him off.

  My mind is in a spin. I would’ve never made it till Monday in that house after what happened tonight. What if I didn’t get out in time? Would Victor have done something or was it an empty threat? Then I remember his fingers on my nipples and I feel faint.

  “I’m here, baby. Calm down and take a deep breath.” I do as he says but it doesn’t do much to help. “Did something happen? Are you alright?”

  “I—” The words freeze in my throat. What happened with Victor is not something I want to tell him over the phone. “I just need you.”

  “I’m already in the car, on my way.”

  “I’m in the backyard. I didn’t want her parents to know I was here. Come to the back gate.”

  “Okay, I’m about an hour away. I was in Dover staying with a friend. Can you hold tight?”

  “Yeah, I think so?” I glance up at Tamara who is staring at me intently.

  “Good. Text me the address and I’ll be there soon. I love you, baby, and it’s okay. It’s going to be okay. I swear.”

  “I love you, too,” I whisper back, absorbing his words. He’s right, it’s going to be okay. Once he's with me again and we get the hell out of here. Tamara makes a little squealing noise and puts her hand over her heart.

  We hang up and I feel some of the weight of the world come off my shoulders. “He’s on his way.”

  “I heard him. He’s so sweet. I just can’t believe it. Why didn’t you tell me?” she rambles a hundred miles a second.

  “Would you tell you, if you were in my shoes?”

  She purses her lips and seems to think about it. “I mean, I don’t know. I guess not. This at least explains so much. Why you’ve been walking around all spaced out and how you would blow us off from time to time.”

  “I’m sorry. It was hard to find a balance. God, I’m a terrible friend.” I bury my face in my hands, ashamed. I only wish I had told her sooner and trus
ted her more to understand.

  “No, you’re not.” She rubs my back. “You still hung out with us and I would blow me off for sex too. So, no hard feelings. I’m just surprised you kept this to yourself. We used to talk about everything. I’ve known you all my life and I’ve only met your step-brother a few times, and that’s only since your party, so yes, it’s a little odd, but not?” She waves off her thoughts. “I don’t know. You’re my friend and if you’re happy, then so am I.”

  “Thank you. I knew I always liked you,” I tease her, wanting to lighten this dreadful mood.

  “Aww, thank you.” She blows a kiss at me. Tamara pulls up a lawn chair for me and I plop down in it.

  “At least you know your baby is going to be cute. Because Colin is fine.” She giggles, and I can’t help but laugh with her. She always has a way of making me feel better even if my life is spiraling out of control.

  “You can sit here and wait, but if I don’t go back in soon my parents are going to come out here.”

  I nod. “You sure they won’t see me?”

  You know the creepy person hanging out in the backyard in the dark?

  “They shouldn’t. I’ll say you went home and you’re doing better.” She pulls me into a hug, and I hold her tight for a moment, not knowing what I would have done without her. “Please call me and tell me where you are, wherever you go. I have a feeling there's no way you’re coming back.”

  “Honestly, I hope not. I can’t let them ever know about this baby.” I brush my hand over my stomach. “No matter what happens to Colin and me. I can’t. I’m gonna miss you. I’ll let you know where I am when I can.”

  She gives me one final hug and goes back inside. My heart breaks not knowing when I’ll see my friend again, but I'll always be grateful I had her.

  The light turns off from the deck, making it completely dark. The only light comes from the stars. I’m a little creeped out now as all the noises of the night come alive. The owls hoot louder, the insects buzz by the millions, and every car that drives by makes my heart pump faster, wondering if they’re looking for me.

  But I settle into my chair and wait for my man to come and rescue me.

  I’m not sure how much time passed as I wait in the darkness, expecting the boogie man to pop out at any moment when there’s a light tap on the fence. “Abbs,” Colin’s voice rings through the air, the best sound I’ve heard all night.

  He's here, my safe haven is here. I'm saved.

  I rush to my feet and swing open the gate. He comes tumbling in and gathers me in his arms, holding onto me for dear life.

  “Colin,” I breathe, trying to keep the tears out of my voice. “I’ve missed you.” I grab his face and kiss him—hard. I need to feel and absorb the fact that he’s here with me now. That everything might be okay, even for just a minute.

  “I’ve missed you, too,” he says ever so softly against my lips before capturing them again in a searing kiss. I moan loudly which makes him move back from me.

  “Shh…I’m taking you and our baby out of here.” His hand brushes down my non-sore cheek. “We're getting married and then we are leaving the country,” he says firmly.

  How in the hell does he think we are going to manage all that? I had no idea what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that.

  “Colin how? I'm sixteen, we can't get married without permission.”

  “Oh, yes we can. In Maryland, we can get married because you're pregnant. My mom is going to help us out and so is your dad.”

  My dad? He talked to my dad?

  “Did you tell him about the baby?”

  “Yes. I had to tell him everything, Abbs. We need his help. He wasn’t the happiest, but he loves you and he wants to help us. I asked about wanting to marry you and he’s the one that told me about Maryland’s marriage law.”

  “You told my dad you wanted to marry me? Like permission.”

  He chuckles softly, but he’s not completely amused. “Yes, I did. I love you, Abbs, and even if he told me no, I would be working on my next plan. But I have it all figured out now. Did you happen to grab your passport?”

  “Yeah, it’s in my journal I think, but Colin we just can't leave the country. What about money? Where would we live?”

  “I have a trust from my grandfather and I cashed out what I could. It'll be enough to start our lives together. I promise we will figure it out and nobody can stop us once we’re married.”

  “Well, maybe I don't want to marry you. That isn't how a lady should be asked, you know.” He grabs my arms and pulls me flush to his chest. Placing his hand around the back of my neck, he kisses me hard, making my head spin and my knees go weak.

  I always loved his take-charge attitude when he wants me to be quiet. I don’t mind being kissed into submission.

  He breaks away from me and rests his forehead on mine. “Abbs, listen to me right now, stop asking questions, and I promise to ask you again. I'll blow you out of the water with a proper proposal, but we need to get a move on.”

  “Okay,” I whisper, the thoughts of being his wife swirling through my mind. Is it something I want right away? To be a teenage bride? A teenage, pregnant bride?

  Hell, I’m a cliché for MTV.

  I bend down to grab one of my bags and Colin grabs the other. He takes my hand, pulling me out the gate. We rush down the sidewalk to his car and he throws my bags into the trunk as I get in. I touch my face and realize Colin hasn’t noticed my cheek yet. I don’t even know what it looks like.

  Maybe I can play it off when he sees it and act like I didn’t know. It’s not like it hurts that bad, and maybe Tamara was being dramatic. It’s already bad enough he’s going to blow his lid when I do tell him what happened with Victor, but I want to wait till we are out of the city. The last thing I need is for him to go back to the house and confront him.

  Colin hops in the driver seat and turns the car on. He looks over at me and I see his smile from the glowing streetlight above. “Ready?”

  “Ready.”

  As we make it to the ramp for the highway, I look back at the town where I grew up, where our story started, knowing this might be the last time I see it, as my new life begins.

  “Colin? What’s going on?” My dad sounds frantic when his voice comes through the speaker of Colin’s cell phone.

  “Daddy.” His name comes out as a sob, and sweet relief rushes through my veins when I hear his voice. Colin had called him on the way over to get me, telling him I ran off, and we would be coming to him. His mom is also due to fly in tomorrow to do whatever she can to help.

  “Abigail, honey. Are you okay?”

  I sniff, rubbing my falling tears away, glancing at my boyfriend. “I am now.”

  Colin reaches over and threads his fingers through mine.

  “Then why are you crying?” he asks, a hint of humor in his voice.

  “Because I’ve been rescued. I’m out of that house. I’m coming to see you. There so many reasons, but most of all relief.” The words spill from my mouth excitedly because it’s over now. No going back.

  “I’m glad your safe, pumpkin. Colin was in a panic when he called. Did something else happen this evening to make you leave so fast?”

  “No, not really.” I look out the window, away from Colin. I’m going to have to tell him what happened with his dad. I’m not even sure why I’m trying to hide it, besides the fact that he’ll get all worked up. But I think it’s because I’m embarrassed too. Victor was able to do this to me, he touched me. He fucking touched me. I choke on a sob and the tears stream faster down my face.

  “Don’t lie to me, Abbs,” my father says firmly, “I can hear it.”

  “I—” I stutter, knowing my strangled cry gave me away. I glance back towards Colin, just as the street lights from the upcoming exit shine into the car and illuminate my face. They might as well had been a spotlight because Colin’s worried eyes morph to wide, dark, and angry seeing the mark on my cheek.

  “MOTHERFUCKER!” Colin ro
ars so loud, my eardrums ring from the vibrations. I drop the phone to my lap, wanting to reach out to him. But I’m somewhat nervous about how he will react to my touch and don’t.

  “I’m okay. I swear,” I plead, but he doesn’t say anything as he shakes his head. His whole face is puffed up and red. I can practically picture steam coming from his ears.

  “What the hell is going on?” My dad’s gruff voice booms through the speaker. I don’t answer. Instead, I watch Colin flick on the turn signal and fly over to lanes to get off at the exit.

  “Please don’t be mad at me,” I whisper and sink into my seat. My tiny voice grabs his attention and I see him deflate. He takes my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles.

  “I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at him.” He pulls into a parking spot outside a gas station.

  “Will one of you tell me what is going on?” My father bellows again, I’m sure in a panic, not knowing what’s going on.

  Colin unbuckles his seatbelt and takes the phone off my lap, putting it to his ear. “Victor hit her,” he hisses before hopping out of the car. He darts around the front of the car to my door and practically yanks the door off its hinges. “I want to see.”

  He holds out his hand and helps me out of the car to stand in front of him. Colin gently cups my chin, the large lights from the gas station canopy letting him now see every mark. He closes his eyes tightly and his forehead wrinkles in anguish.

  “The right side of her face is red and blue in the shape of a handprint,” Colin says to my dad. His eyes open sorrowfully, and his lips brush lightly over my bruise.

  “You didn’t deserve this. What happened?” The pain in his voice alone is enough to break me because I know he’s blaming himself again.