Safety First

Prologue

Anna stared in the mirror, noticing the black and yellow bruise form below her eye. Taylor had punched her in the face last night after a heated argument. Anna had accused him of flirting with a girl while they were both at the club. But Anna knew what she saw was real, especially the way he touched the girl. His hands on her hips and then her face; it angered Anna how he even had the nerve to do it in front of her own eyes.

Anna felt her eyes start to water at the thought. Was it possible that he was so violent because he was hiding an affair? No.. Taylor would never cheat on her, even though he hits her, he would never hurt her emotionally. She wouldn't be able to handle the emotional pain if he cheated.

Anna wiped away her tears, grabbing her foundation, and began to apply some around the lower half of her eye. Anna was getting ready to go out with her best friend, Vivian, and she had to make sure not bruises were visible. Anna finished covering up all her bruises and grabbed her bag, leaving the apartment she and Taylor shared.

About 30 minutes later, Anna finally arrived at a cafe, where she met up with Vivian. Anna spotted her sitting at a table already and headed over to her.

"Hey Vivian." Anna spoke.

"Hey Anna." She responded to Anna. "Sit down."

Anna sat down and ordered some food. They began to talk, but soon she felt a cold liquid hit her face. Someone had tripped and his water had went flying at Anna.

"Oh my gosh.." Anna said, as she got up quickly and ran to the bathroom. She went to the mirror and noticed that the makeup had started to mess up from the water. She searched through her purse, looking for her foundation. Once she found it, she heard someone enter the bathroom. She turned to find Vivian walking towards her.

"Annamika, you wear make up?" She questioned, pointing towards her foundation.

"Of course, I always do." Anna responded.

Vivian squinted her eyes at her, "You never wore it in high school though."

Anna shrugged, waiting for her to leave to wash off the makeup and reapply it. "Are you going to leave?"

Vivian shook her head and handed Anna a paper towel to wipe off the makeup. Anna hesitantly took it and turned away to wipe off the makeup. Vivian watched her, waiting for Anna to turn around. Anna finished, grabbing her foundation to reapply it, but Vivian went to stand in front of her.

"What the fuck is with your eye?" She asked Anna.

Anna quickly covered her eye, "What's wrong with my eye?"

"It's bruised!" Vivian exclaimed. "Did Taylor hit you?"

"No.. No... I hit the door." Anna quickly thought up a lie.

"Bull shit, you don't get bruised like THAT." Vivian screamed at Anna. "Do I have to punch your other eye to remind you?"

Anna squinted her eyes at her. "Really Vivian?"

She just shrugged her shoulders at her. "Annamika, if he's hitting you, you have to leave him! You can't stay in an abusive relationship."

Anna sighed, looking down, "but I love him.."

"Annamika, I'm warning you now. Abusive relationships end with someone dead. I know you won't kill Taylor.. Do you want to die?"

Anna felt her heart stop at the thought of her dying from his abusive ways. She did not want to die. "No..." She whispered.

"Leave him, Annamika."

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