Are You Sure About That?

“I’m open!” The field was green for miles around. The air was crisp as it entered my lungs. I had adrenaline pumping at 50 miles per hour. With twenty seconds left and the score tied, one more goal and we’d win the championships.1

“Let’s go Gabby!” he yelled. With his blessing on my side I strived to score the winning goal.2

One kick and the ball was flying, towards me. A grin spread across my face. This was it. This was my chance! This was…3

“*bunny*.” I whispered as I fell to the ground. A girl from the other team knocked me to the ground. Stealing the ball, she ran like lightning.4

She shoots, she scores. I lost…and scraped my knee. Another scab to my collection, no wonder everyone on the team calls me ‘Scabby Gabby.’ 5

I stayed silent, crushed.6

The other team cheered, I cried. My dad ran to me with water, he washed out my wound and bandaged it up.7

‘He’ put his arms around me, comforting me.8

“It’s alright,” Dad said.9

“You tried your best,” ‘he’ sympathized.10

But my best wasn’t good enough.11

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My arms showed countless bruises. The ‘Scabby Gabby’ thing totally fit, however, the injuries I were getting now weren’t entirely from soccer.13

They were coming from ‘him.’14

And I know he might be as sweet, innocent, and caring as any boyfriend could be, but the truth is…he’s not.15

When he doesn’t get his way, the monster is unleashed and all hell breaks loose. I’d never have thought that I’d somehow wandered into an abusive relationship. One way in, no way out.16

Well, there could be a way out in other circumstances. But mine was different. You see, ‘he’ had a gun ever since his oh-so-smart father gave it to him when he turned 16.17

Great parenting skills, I must say.18

I was sitting alone in the field after everyone went to eat at the team potluck. A dandelion sat planted in the ground next to me. I uprooted it and blew on it till the little spores were sent in all directions.19

I stared aimlessly at one spore. Fluttering towards a figure in the distance. The figure got closer, until he was right next to me.20

“You feeling better hun?” he asks.21

I nod.22

He puts his arms around me, cradling me. He pulls me over to the ground. We both fall, facing each other, laughing. My eyes closed as his lips crushed mine. 23

“I love you,” he said.24

Are you sure about that?25

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I’ll never be able to get away from this noose suffocating my life. It’s like he’s the fence surrounding me. Not letting me climb it. And even if I tried to climb the fence, I’d fail in my pathetic attempts since the fence would be twenty feet tall.27

But other than his large imperfections, he was a sweet young boy. I really did love him. And he really loved me. But his abuse showed no sign of affection whatsoever.28

Sooner of later, I’m going to have to break up with him. I know for a fact, that I would never get married to such a monstrous being. Even if it, literally, killed me.29

However I choose later. 30

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The phone buzzed. Vibrating cell phones should never be placed on tables. They end up falling on the floor.32

“Hello?”33

“Hey, can you come over?” he asks.34

“Sure give me 30 minutes?”35

“20 minutes of I’ll bust your *bunny*.” He hangs up the phone. My mouth hangs open. How long will he have his way? How *bunny* longer?36

I ride my bike to his house. Possibly it might’ve taken 20 minutes or less.37

A knock on the door bring him to me.38

“What took you so goddamn long?” he demands.39

“Geez, you wanted me here. What do you want?”40

“Are you using a tone with me? How *bunny* dare you talk to me like that!” He lands a blow to my face.41

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” I scream.42

“Are you sure about that?” he keeps punching me. I cover my face with my hands. Helpless. Hopeless.43

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“Get on home,” he yells.45

“What was I even here for in the first place?” I holler back.46

“I love you,” he responds.47

“That means nothing to me anymore,” I slam the door and bicycle home.48

The bicycle wheel touches the garage door. I jump off of it and run to my room, and cry. I cry from the pain. I cry because I’m so damn pathetic. I cry for all those other girls in my situation.49

One day, later, I’ll find a way to get out of this garbage dump.50

One day.51

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Monday. School. Blah.53

I threw on my uniform and get on my bike. 30 minutes later I arrive at school and lock my bike on the bike rack. Advisory is only forty steps away. I walk to Room C-8 to be greeted by Olivia.54

Olivia’s my best friend. We’ve known each other since kindergarten, and I tell her everything. Except that ‘he’ beats me up. I was afraid to tell her.55

Until today.56

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“Olivia, come over at 3:30, after school, I need to tell you something…” I say, hesitantly.58

“Uhh sure?” she says, half inquiringly, like she was afraid.59

The school bell rings. I get my books from my locker and take my bike home.60

3:25. Olivia arrives 5 minutes early.61

“Hey man…what’s up…you okay? You’re not pregnant right?” Olivia slams down at me.62

I blink and feel the corners of my mouth widening into a grin. “You always know how to liven up the situation.”63

“Blame it on charisma,” she retorts sarcastically.64

“I need to show you something…” I lift up my shirt sleeve, revealing cuts and bruises.65

“Dude! There is a better way to deal with your anger and frustration—” stupid, stupid, stupid.66

“They’re not from me buttwipe. They’re from…”67

“Your dad? Heck naws, I’m calling the police—”68

“Would you let my finish? They’re coming from ‘him’ not anyone else. Not me, or dad…him.”69

“Tony? But I never would think he’d do anything to hurt you. He seemed so perfect…” she said. Getting it right this time.70

“I know, but for one thing, I’m not calling the police for sure,” I say.71

“Why not?”72

“…he has a gun,” she stares wide-eyed.73

“That’s why you haven’t broken up with him yet?” she asks, sympathetic. I nod.74

“Oh god, what do I do?” I lean my head in my lap and groan. I’m over crying. There are no more tears to waste for someone like him.75

“You’re gonna break up with him, and I’m coming with you.”76

“Are you sure about that?” I ask.77

She nods, determined.78

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Olivia drives me to Tony’s place and we both climb to his apartment.80

I knock on his door. He answers, no parental supervision.81

“Gabby, what are you doing here...with her?” he asks.82

“She wants to tell you—” Olivia starts.83

“I want to tell you that, although you’re an amazing guy…I can’t stay with someone who might kill me,” I spill. 84

He blinks and stammers, “are…are y-you br-breaking up-p-p with m-mee?”85

I nod.86

He runs for his gun and grabs it.87

“Don’t do it! Please don’t shoot me!” I holler.88

He points it at me, then Olivia, then…himself. Finger on the trigger, gun to his head.89

“Noooooo!”90

“I love you,” his last words. He pulls the trigger.91

Olivia and I cringe as Tony falls to the floor. We stand together, undefeated, trembling in a pool of his blood.