~ Can't You Help Me As I'm Starting To Burn? ~

Part 10

Jimmy sat there looking at me.  

Not saying a word, just looking at me. 

"So what you're saying, is your boyfriend beats you?" Jimmy asked in a low, hard voice. 

"Yeah, he does." I whispered. 

Jimmy stood up quickly and I tried not to flinch but it was inevitable.  

"I'm not going to hurt you." Jimmy murmured.  

He pulled me up softly and into his arms. 

He hugged me tight, even though he was being careful not to hurt me. 

He pulled away from me again and looked at me. 

"So those bruises we saw?" Jimmy asked. 

"Yeah. I guess I didn't really lie. I just twisted the truth. Ryan was drunk. And I did fall down the stairs. I just didn't trip like I said. Ryan pushed me." I said, as tears rolled down my face. 

I looked up at Jimmy and his face was darkening. 

His eyes were dark orbs and they were filling with hate. 

"Lets go." He said. 

He pulled me outside and to my car. 

"Where are we going?" I asked. 

"To your house. I'm gonna reintroduce myself to your boyfriend." Jimmy said, trying to open my door. 

"No! Jimmy you can't!" I cried. 

"Bella, he beats you. He's supposed to protect you, and love you, and take care of you. Not put his hands on you when he's frustrated." Jimmy growled. 

"No, no. Jimmy please. You can't go over there. Promise me you're not gonna go." I cried, clutching his arm. 

"Bella I can't promise that. I wont." Jimmy said. 

"Please." I cried again. 

Jimmy looked at me for a long time, not saying anything. 

He pulled me into his arms and squeezed me to his chest. 

"Goddamn it Bella. How did you get yourself into this?" Jimmy muttered. 

"He wasn't always like this. He used to be so sweet." I whispered. 

"You need to get out of there Bella. Your not safe there." Jimmy said, pulling me away so I would look at him. 

"I can't Jimmy." I whispered. 

"If you wont get out of there, I'll get you out of there myself." Jimmy said. 

I looked up at Jimmy and his eyes were serious. 

"He's going to anger management. He's trying." I said. 

"How many times has he gone to that program?" He asked. 

I looked down. 

"Yeah that's what I thought." He said. 

"If it doesn't work this time, I promise that I'll call you and I'll leave." I said. 

"You promise?" Jimmy asked. 

I stayed quiet for a moment. 

"I promise." I said quietly. 

Jimmy hugged me and squeezed me tight. 

"God, if something happened to you." Jimmy muttered. 

"It's okay Jimmy Bean. I'm gonna be fine. I've learned how to survive." I said. 

"It shouldn't be that way." Jimmy grumbled. 

"I know, but it is." I said. 

"Matt is not gonna like this." Jimmy said. 

I pulled away quickly, panic in my eyes. 

"Jimmy, you cant tell Matt!" I exclaimed. 

"He's my best friend, of course I'm going to tell him. Plus he cares about you too." Jimmy said. 

My heart did an unexpected leap at Jimmy's words. 

"Jimmy please. He'll be so mad." I said. 

"Not as mad as he'll be if he hears it from someone else." Jimmy said. 

I pleaded with him, giving him puppy eyes until he agreed. 

I was safe for now. 

Jimmy would keep my secret. 

I just didn't know if that was a good thing, or a bad thing.