If Only

Chapter 18 - One & The Same

Go on, save your soul

Cause without me, you got it all

-Robert Pattinson; Never Think

*~~~~&~~~~*

Sammy POV

It had been a week since Sunday and everyday had been tense and uncomfortable. When I first awoke after my encounter with Tyson, it felt as though my entire body had been run over by a truck. My ribs were especially painful, the burning feeling making me light-headed every time I took a breath. I had a feeling they were fractured or severely bruised, but I didn't think there was anything to be done about it at this point, so I just tried to ignore them the best I was able.

Days passed and Tyson had remained surprisingly indifferent whenever he was around. He had been busy with his job recently, which was an auto-shop where he worked as a mechanic, and I figured he was too stressed and tired to find it in him to bother with me. Though I could tell that he was still angry about Sunday morning and the night that led up to it.

I hadn't spoken to anyone, despite their efforts to hang out. Besides, I couldn't see any of them right now if I wanted to, my face wouldn't be something I could easily explain.

I had avoided my reflection as much as I was able, but the few times I had caught glances of it I had seen a swollen mess of bruises that left me unable to recognize what lay beneath. It had made work a difficult task as well, layers of thick make-up would cover up most of the issue, but that was only for random customers and co-workers who could care less. My friends who saw me constantly would be a completely different story. Working had actually been a welcome escape from my apartment, where I felt that I was tip-toeing around Tyson, waiting for him to inevitably implode. A welcome escape that I actually happened to be partaking in currently.

"Hello, I'm Sammy and I'll be your server. Can I start you with drinks?" I asked with a small smile, gnawing at my bottom lip as my heartbeat picked up slightly. I always felt kind of shy and awkward talking to people I hadn't met before, it was probably the only part of my job I thoroughly disliked.

"I'll have a Budweiser on draft," one of the young men at the table replied. I recognized the one sitting next to him from college. Korbin? Kane? Something of the sort. I knew that he was in a pretty large fraternity though, and I assumed these guys also took part.

"Oh, um, I'm sorry. We don't serve alcohol," I answered quietly.

"What's the fucking point of asking for drink orders then?" he grumbled, and I couldn't tell if he was genuinely asking the question or just talking to himself. I stumbled out an apology again, and he shook his head before ordering a water. I collected the rest of the orders before going to punch them into the computer and filling the drinks.

I glanced at the clock to see that the time read 4:45. My shift times varied drastically, and though today I was only scheduled from 12-5, it had been a long shift. The pain in my ribs had been relentless and Advil was hardly doing anything to help. Along with that, I was drained and felt incredibly nauseous, yet I still dreaded going back to my apartment.

I brought back all the drinks, carefully balancing them on my tray before placing them each on the table cautiously. I had spilled drinks before, and it was an incredibly embarrassing mistake I tried my very best to avoid.

"I'm sorry again about the drinks. Are you guys ready to order or..." I trailed off, trying to read the expressions of the guys' faces who were all mostly just on their phones. Except the one closest to me, Korbin slash Kane, who did something I had not expected. He reached out towards me, wrapping his hand around my hip and pulling me closer to him before talking. The action took away my breath, hot pain flashing in front of my eyes as my ribs screamed in agony.