It's been so long since I've seen Micah last, his presence hasn't bothered me in weeks. Some days I've sworn to see him around the place but I'm wrong, it's just another tall man with tattoos around me.
I sit in the pew listening to the priest.
The mass comes to a close and people slowly leave the church, talking and asking if their friends want to come over for lunch. I stay in my seat for longer than I need to. I think about my life and how I wish I could be twelve again where my biggest worry was going to school without a phone.
"Honey, are you okay?" An old lady's voice spikes up.
I quickly stand from the pew and nod, "I was just day dreaming."
She smiles, "I'm glad to see some younger faces in the church again."
I watch her dip her fingers into the holy water before making the sign of the cross, I follow behind. "I must be going but I hope to see you next week," she touches my hand.
"If I'm up to date with my work," I tell her. She smiles before walking away to what must be her family. I lean against the railing of the stairs grabbing my phone out, my eye is quick to catch the man who leans against his car watching me with a careful eye.
This time, I'm not mistaken. It's Micah.
I quickly make my way towards him, "what are you doing here?"
"I saw you as I was driving past so I decided to wait for you."
"You shouldn't be here," I mumble holding the cross on my neck wishing it would send this man away again. I was wondering why he'd not bothered me and it bothered me that he wasn't around but now his around I wish he'd banish into thin air.
I can't see to win, when his not around I want him when he is.. I don't.
"Church, that's for goody-two-shoes."
"Don't," I say harshly.
"What? Am I with a little church girl?" He teases.
"Micah, I really don't appreciate you making fun of my religion."
He grins leaning forward to press his lips on mine, I push him away annoyed and angry at the man. I don't want to be seen with this man's lips on mine, these people who stare at him. I wish I could tell them that it isn't what they think.
Micah smirks leaning against his expensive black car, "you're a bore, Rose. This religion crap. What makes you believe in some place that doesn't exist, a God who doesn't."
I question why I do believe.
"Leave me alone," I snap holding onto the bottom of my skirt. I turn around and head for refuge back into the church, maybe I could have minutes alone with the priest. I'm barely stepping onto the grass when Micah pulls me into his chest.
"You're hot when your angry," he grins. I don't want to be around this man any longer, the way his hurt me with a few simple words, the way he made me question my religion, my faith and beliefs. I hate that he did that, I hate myself too.
"You're going to go to hell," I spit using all my strength to push him off. Micah is caught off guard and takes the slightest step backwards.
I'm quick to try and escape but Micah is faster and stronger. I'm back in his arms, his fingers dig into my spine, I'm scared if I make the slightest movement he'll brake me in half. I whimper at the pain in my back.
No one pays attention to us, if there's anyone even left around the church.
One of his hands come to my neck touching my cross. He gently traces it with his finger before wrapping his hand around it. I shut my eyes holding in my tears, I don't want him to see me cry.
I won't let him see me cry.
Micah rips my necklace off breaking the clasp.
I cry stumbling back. My hands rub the back of my neck which stings from the pressure of him breaking the necklace. He tosses the necklace across the grass with no care at all, like I'm a dog and he expects me to fetch it.
I slap him hard across the face, I'm not sure what comes over me.
"Don't talk to me again," I cry.
I push past him to the footpath, he catches my wrist swinging me back. I use his method as an advantage by swinging my hand up to his face, slapping him again.
"I said don't," I shout.
Micah looks at me surprised. I rip my hand away from his and run away.
♔♔♔
I wake up with a tear stained face, under my covers. Not where I remember falling asleep, crying half on the floor about what had happened. How much I hated myself for second guessing my beliefs. I always new Micah was bad but I'd always slip it behind my mind, it was only yesterday I put that in front of everything else.
Once I'm ready for school I grab my books for the day, noticing a small black bag on my desk. I frown wondering what it is. I slip my hand it and pull out a card of paper.
I'm sorry,
M.
I sigh putting the note down and looking through the bag. I pull out two identical boxes with box, I'm scared when I undo the ribbon, wondering what's inside. Lifting the lid, I let out a gasp. As small golden cross, my old one, shiny and polished on a new chain.
My lips can't help but smile.
Micah must have gone to the effort of finding the cross in the grass and replacing the chain. I put it down only wondering what that means for the next box.
Lifting the lid to the second box I see a small, gold pendant shaped in a flower - a rose. Each petal is individual decorated with the finest details and tiniest diamonds. A small petal have the letter R engraved on it.
I think of how he got them here, the fact I was safety tucked into my bed. Did he come in here?
Taking both the necklaces out I go up to my mirror putting one on at a time. The cross necklaces ends slightly lower making both necklaces match. I touch the cross knowing I have to thank Micah, despite everything.
I leave both necklaces on, grabbing my phone and heading out for some fresh air. I tell myself not to call Micah and just take the gifts but I know that's wrong, I need to at least thank him for it. I feel more than bad, I slapped him twice because of my anger and he still managed to find my cross and get a new chain? Along with the rose pendant..
My hand hovers over his name in my phone.
I second guess my self and lock my phone.
Rose, you'll just start something that shouldn't happen.
A man, who I'm sure doesn't go to this college sits next to me. "Micah King, huh? Interesting" He asks.
"Um, I'm going to go," I reply standing up and unlocking my phone. Scared, I go to call Micah but before I can everything goes very wrong.
The man grabs me tight around the neck, I struggle to get free but it only makes me loose air quicker. I try to calm myself but with a man who's 10 times stronger than me I can't. I try to scream but he covers my mouth.
That's when I realise how much danger I'm in.
♔♔♔
well fuck, thoughts on cover?