He pushes me against the table and slams my hand down on the firm surface. I wiggle, my legs lash out when I kick him in the groin. He topples back, and Mum gasps. Her eyes widen, and the tears spill out. She races into her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Then, suddenly, pain floods across my stomach. My legs buckle when his knee crashes into my groin. Blood spits out when I gasp, and my body is desperate to double over and cower in pain. His knee stays there, digging in further while his grip tightens on my wrist, and his other hand clamps the pliers onto my nail.
“No!” I scream. I shake my head from side to side, and my feet stomp. Urine slips between my legs, and my voice is like a broken gasp when the nail peels away from the flesh.
My phone vibratesonce I turn on the shower. I smile weakly at the text.
Conner: When will you be ready for me to show you your new home?
Me: In 15.
I peel off my soiled underwear and step inside to wash off the remnants of last night. I have five minutes to dress when I get out, and I cringe when I look down at the flourishing bruises. Then I pull my underwear up and slide on baggy sweatpants and a T-shirt to forget about it.
Conner is already waiting outside. I ease myself in, a twinge of pain hitting the corner of my eye at the sting.
“You good?” Conner asks.
“Yeah… I exercised more when I got home,” I murmur.
“And your finger?”
“Oh,”—I tuck my wounded finger behind my other hand—“I jammed it into the door, and it started bleeding a little.”
“Did you want my dad to check it out? We can stop by my house before we head out.”
“It’s fine,” I lie. “Besides, I’m excited about seeing our apartment.”
Conner’s eyes widen for a fraction, and when he keeps driving down my street, I notice the delicate red glow on his cheeks. I smile, knowing that sometimes I, too, can catch Conner off-guard.
The cold air-conditioning brushes against my face, and “Voodoo” by Godsmack plays in the background. He told me that everyone loved meeting me, especially Charlotte. Conner grins when he says Noah was acting cool, but overall, I won over everyone’s hearts.
I smile while closing my eyes, relieved that I wasn’t that socially awkward or weird, even distant. I was enough for them to like me. My heart hurts a little as this overwhelming feeling tightens around it, knowing that his family is so lovely.
Conner’s hand rests on my thigh, and he squeezes. I place my left hand over his and turn to face him. I don’t want to put my right hand on his, only for him to examine my finger and notice no nail. But if he does, I can explain that I jammed my finger sohard that the flesh underneath the nail was bruised, and the nail fell off.
Would he believe it?
I seriously doubt that.
The university is in the opposite direction from the school, heading out of the city. I’m not sure why most cities build universities so far from the actual city. Driving back and forth will be such a hassle. However, it’s a positive for me. Dad will never seek apartment buildings near the university. However, there is a loose end that frightens me. Mum overheard my conversation with Andy. When I leave, that’s the first person Dad will call. I should unblock Andy’s number and convince him not to say anything if he ever wants to be my friend again.
You mean you would use him?
I bite my lower lip and chew on the flesh while I think deeper. I don’t want to use anyone. The thought makes me sick—however, the idea of Dad finding Conner and… and hurting him.
I shake my head and tear myself out of my thoughts.
“Did you end up talking to Andy last night?” Conner asks cautiously.
“Um… yes,” I answer. “You were right.”
“I’m sorry, baby,” he says. “The last thing I want to be is right. I know how much you wanted to mend things.”
I nod glumly and say, “It’s for the best, though.”
Conner turns into a driveway that dips. There’s a metal door further down, claiming to be the entrance to this large building block. Conner reaches into the cup holder and grabs a flat, white plastic card that flashes green. Winding down the window, he holds the card out and taps it against… I don’t know what it is, but it’s a metal pole with a square box attached. The roller doors open after the scanner beeps, and we drive down into the parking lot.
There are bays, and Conner parks in Bay 5. The parking spot is so tight that I’m uncomfortable leaving my side, where there is a bulkier car that leaves no room for me to open the door without hitting it.