I stared at my make-up as I tried to figure out how I was going to cover the massive bruise on my eye. My boyfriend for the past year had hit me last night and I am to hang out with my cousin, Julian Brandt, and some of his teammates. Yes my cousin is the world famous German soccer player, but I didn't see him as some famous guy that kicks a ball around. I see him as an older brother and a best friend. He sees me as a little sister and best friend. This means that he is super overprotective of me, especially in regards to my boyfriend, Joe. He doesn't like Joe at all and thinks that I can do much better. He would also go ballistic if he ever found out Joe hit me. I know that I shouldn't stay with Joe but I'm scared what he would do if I left him. I snapped out of my thoughts and realized that I need to meet the boys soon so I had to speed up doing my hair and make up. I had to go for a dark smokey eye, something that is not apart of my normal make up routine. I then rushed to get dress so I could meet the boys at the restaurant.
I walked into the small restaurant and saw Julian sitting there with some of his national teammates such as Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, and Joshua Kimmich. I smiled when I saw the guys all sitting there, laughing. All of Julian's teammates have become like brothers to me and I love all of them.
"Hi bubs," I said as I kissed Julian on the cheek and a hug. I then greeted the rest of the boys with hugs and took a seat in between Julian and Manuel. I instantly opened the menu and started to look at it so to keep busy. I had the menu on the table and was trying to use my hair as a barrier so the boys didn't notice my heavy make up. I had the bruises on my arms covered by wearing a long sleeve shirt.
"So how's Joe," Joshua asked. I quickly tugged at the sleeves feeling as though a bruise was peeking through even though I knew they couldn't see the ones on my wrists.
"Uh he's good," I quickly said as I peeked up to look at Joshua and smiled. I quickly lowered my head back to looking at the menu. There was an awkward silence that settled over the group until Manuel broke it.
"So Bri that's a new look."
"Uh yeah," I tried to think of an answer quickly so the boys didn't get suspicious. "Joe thought I should try something new and I wanted to show it to you guys and get your opinion before I showed him. What do you guys think? "
"I don't like it, Bri" Julian quickly answered. All of us jumped at the speed and tone which he responded. "I also don't like that he is making you change your look for him."
"Stop it Julian," Thomas interjected.
"Be nice," Joshua said. Manuel patted my hand, trying to comfort me. "Just let her be," Joshua continued.
"I'm sorry that I don't appreciate that some douchebag is trying to change my cousin. She deserves better than him," he exclaimed as his voice got louder. I quickly looked around making sure that no one had hear Julian's remarks. Ever since Joe had started to get hostile towards me, I try not to draw attention towards myself, usually when that happens he gets angry and hits me.
"Julian," I harshly whispered. "If you aren't going to respect my choices then I'm leaving." I grabbed my purse and started to get up but Julian quickly grabbed my wrist to try and stop me. I let out a gasp as Julian had grabbed right where Joe had grabbed and dragged me by when I angered him the other day. Julian instantly let go of me when he saw the pain flash across my face.
"Bri," Thomas whispered and it was at that point I knew I had to explain to them.
"Why don't you guys come back to my apartment and I'll explain," I said. The boys silently followed me out of the restaurant and back to my apartment. It was tense as we rode the elevator up to my floor and the walk down the hallway. I slowly unlocked the door and let the boys filtered in. They all silently sat down in my living room while I walked down the hall to my bedroom and grabbed my make up wipes and headed back into the living room. I sat next to Manuel on the love seat as Joshua and Thomas sat on the other couch. Julian was pacing the area.
I took one of the wipes out of the container and started wiping off my make up. I heard different in takes of breath from around the room. I didn't stop until I knew all of my make up was off. I then pulled off my shirt and I heard the murmurs of the guys.
"Bri," Julian whispered as tears welled up in his eyes. I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I stared at the heart broken look on my cousin's face. He walked over to me and picked me and placed me on his lap. I turned into his neck and just started sobbing. I heard the boys shifting behind us and soon felt that rubbing my back or leg.
"I am so sorry. I tried to get away but I couldn't. Every time I tried to break up with him, he would threaten me. I am so sorry," I cried into Julian's chest. I was hiccuping from crying so hard.
"Shh, shh, Bri. You are going to be ok. We got you," Julian cooed as he rocked us back and forth. He was running his fingers through my hair and it was comforting since that is what he would do when we were younger and I got hurt.
"Yeah Bri, we are going to teach Joe a lesson," Joshua said as he sat next to Julian's legs on the floor. I let out a choked laugh and gave them a blurry smiles.
"Thanks guys," I sniffled.
"Why don't you take a hot bath, Bri," Thomas suggested," and then we can watch whatever movie you want."
"Any movie," I asked.
"Any movie," Manuel promised.
"Great. Thanks. I'll be right back," I said as I got up from Julian's lap and gave each boy a kiss on the cheek. I took the dirty make up wipes and and the container and went back to my room. I walked into my bathroom and started to run a bath. I added some bubbles and scents, so to soothe my muscles. I slowly stripped out of my clothes and waited until the water was nice and steaming. I slipped in and I felt my muscles relax. I sat in the hot water until it started to become cold. I hard a shout and some rumbling from my living room but thought it was the boys messing around. I soon climbed out of the tub and drained the water as I got dress. I threw on a pair of Julian's old sweatpants that I had to roll like 5 times so that they stayed on my hips. I also put a tank top on and a large fluffy cardigan and my hair into a messy bun. I slid my glasses on as I checked my bed and and dresser for my phone.
"Hey guys," I asked as I walked into my kitchen where I heard the boys talking," have any of you seen my phones?"
"Uh yeah," Manuel said as he handed me my phone.
"What the fuck are those from," I asked as I grabbed his hands. His knuckles were covered with some cuts. I looked around and saw all of the guys nursing their knuckles. "What did you idiots do?"
"We took care of Joe," Julian said with a proud smile.
"What do you mean you took care of Joe," I asked as I glanced between them.
"Let's just say," Joshua said," he won't be bothering you ever again." When I raised my eyebrow at him, he continued," We texted him from your phone to come over. We then threatened him and he swung so we beat him up."
"I love you guys so much," I said as I pulled the boys into a hug," but you are so dumb. Now let's watch a movie."
We all walked into the living room with different snacks. Joshua and Thomas took the love seat while Manuel, Julian and I took the big couch. Julian and Manuel took the ends while I spread myself across the two. I had my head laying on Julian's chest while my legs were sprawled across Manuel's lap. I put on "Call Me By Your Name." The guys groaned.
"Hey no complaining. You guys said I could pick any movie," I said as I snuggled into the two guys surrounding me. And for the next 2 hours, I sat enthralled with Timothee Chalamet's acting as Julian ran his fingers through my hair again. I didn't even notice that the other three men had fallen asleep until the ending credits rolled through. I glanced away from the tv to notice that only Julian was still awake besides me.
"Hi kleines Lamm," Julian said as he looked down at me.
"Hi bubs. Thanks so much for helping me. It really means a lot to me."
"No problem Bri. I just wished I could have helped you sooner. But next time, and there better be no next time, tell me sooner. I love you and just want to keep you safe."
"I love you too, Julian," I responded as I wrapped my arms around him and soon fell asleep surrounded by my best friends and protectors.
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"kleines Lamm" means little lamb. Don't hate me if that's not right. I don't know German, I just know how to use Google Translate
This is for @happyyholland and I hope you like it.
Don't forget to request.
Maggie xx