save me

•7•

I wake up in the morning to an empty bed. I get out of bed and I put on a big sweatshirt. I think it's the one that Ivy was wearing last night. I go downstairs and I see Nick sitting on the couch.

"Hey," I say standing next to the couch, "Where is Ivy?"

"I think she is doing laundry," he say while pointing to the direction of the laundry room. I look towards the laundry door because I can see it from where I am standing.

She is in there folding the clothes. I hate how she thinks she has to do chores around here. I know Justin made her do them, but she doesn't have to anymore. I'm not going to force her to do anything.

I watch her as she just folds the clothes next to the dryer. She is in her own little world and she isn't paying any attention to anything, but the clothes.

She literally is so perfect. Her brown hair rests on her shoulders. It's a bit messy because she probably hasn't brushed it out yet, but it still looks so good. Her back is slouched a bit and her head is tilted down. I can see the side of her plump cheeks and they are a bit red. I swear everything about her is just so beautiful and so perfect.

I can still see bruises on her arms, legs, face, and neck. There are marks almost everywhere, but she is still a queen. She deserves everything and so much more. I wish I could give her the world.

"Earth to Zion," I hear. I shake my head a bit and I look away from Ivy. I look at Nick.

"Sorry," I say, "What were you saying?" I sit down on the couch where I can still see her. I slouch down and I watch her every move.

"You are so in love with her."

I laugh, "I am not. Love is a very strong word."

I look at him and he smiles, "It's a very strong word, but you love her. I can tell by the way you look at her and the way you treat her."

"Honestly," I sigh, "I don't know how I feel. I like her a lot, but it's only been a few weeks. I can't love her already can I?"

He shrugs his shoulder, "You can love someone whenever. Time doesn't matter. It's how you feel about them."

"I've never done this before," I say, "And she's so fragile, Nick. Every time I touch her I feel as if she will break in a million pieces."

"She's very fragile and she's heartbroken. She's lost and she needs someone. That someone is you."

"I can't move fast with her though," I say. "I can't just tell her I'm in love with her right now."

"And why not?" I hear someone say behind me. I turn my head and I see Edwin standing there with a bowl of cereal. He walks around the couch and sits down next to Nick. "We are talking about Ivy, right?" He asks while his mouth full.

"Yes."

"Well why can't you tell her you love her? There is nothing that is going to stop you from telling her," Edwin says.

"Justin," I say.

"Who?"

"Her ex," I say.

"Is she still in love with him?" Nick asks.

I shake my head no very quickly, "It's actually the opposite. I'm not going into detail, but he is the one that practically destroyed her."

"And she's not ready?" Edwin asks.

I shrug my shoulders, "She says that she likes me a lot. We flirt and cuddle. It's almost like we are a couple already, but she's definitely not ready for that part."