broken strings. ➳ payne. [slow updates]

Chapter Three. - Pity Party For Two

“Come down when you’re ready. The boys are waiting for you, as is everyone else.” She said softly before pushing herself off my bed and made her out of my room.

I sighed to myself. I wanted to be happy and excited to be home, but I never could be. Everyone was fooled by my fake smile and forced laugh. She was always the cause for my unpleasantness. And as much as she was the cause, I was the one to blame, because I pushed her away.

My parents would constantly remind me that Aurora was the one who needed to tell me everything that happened to her, and it always left me with an uneasy feeling. I would wonder over what could possibly happen that would cause Aurora to have to explain her situation, but dared not to ask my parents for they would never tell me. I was concerned for her well-being, praying she did not do anything drastic with her life.

I would think the worst, letting myself believe she fell into the vicious circle of drugs and alcohol and “bad” men. After those thoughts flooded my mind, I would shake my head in doubt and try to convince myself that she would never do something like that. But no one thought I would do what I did to Aurora, so I guess the negative thoughts could have been true.

After a few more minutes of thinking about Aurora and what she could be doing, I pushed her to the side of my mind, just like three years ago, opened my bedroom door, and walked down to where my family was eagerly waiting for me, a false smile on my lips.

Aurora’s POV

I was startled awake by gentle lips touching my forehead and a smile came upon my lips. They were warm against my cooler head, and felt full. I was sure they were a precious pink color and just yearning to be kissed. But the voice that flowed out of these desirable lips was not one I was thinking of.

“I’m off to work love. I’ll be back later. Call me if you need anything. I love you.” Austin’s voice spoke to me.

I knew he was trying to sweet talk his way out of his monstrous actions from last night. He tried to use  sweet, but false, words to make up for what had happened, but nothing would cause me to forget.

I nodded my head so he understood I heard him, but did not dare open my eyes. I could not muster up the courage to look him in the eye. Not this early in the morning anyway. I heard a sigh escape his lips and his feet pad on the carpet before the flat door was opened and closed.

I slowly allowed my eyes to open, adjusting to the natural light filing through the curtains. The sun was not shining brightly, but the rays were still strong enough to penetrate the light gray clouds blanketing the sky.

I rolled over on my back, and turned my head to look at the clock. It was a little after seven thirty in the morning and I sighed at the earliness of the day. I came to the conclusion that I was not getting out the warm comforts that the bed possessed until it was necessary. I rolled onto my left side, thinking I would go back to sleep for a little bit, only to be met with a sharp pain on the side of my head. Realization of why the pain occurred came rushing to me and I grew angry at the situation.

I knew I should leave Austin; he was nothing but mean and horrible to me. But there was also that comforting side to him that I adored. I would constantly remind myself that the caring side was just an act and I did not mean much to him, but there was a small voice in the back of my head that said I should give him the benefit of the doubt.

So I stayed with him, hoping things would turn around and get better. It seemed that our relationship was not getting better, but worse. I was unsure to the reason as to why the negative decline occurred and I would constantly rack my brain to figure out why. I tried to be a good girlfriend to him; being obedient, polite, respectful, comforting, anything he needed. But it just seemed that it was never enough for him and I could not think of anything that could help his needs.