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I know it hurts
It’s hard to breathe sometimes
Lex looked at the glass shattered around her. It was kind of pretty in a weird way, the glass shining as it reflected the lights of the trailer.
She was dizzy and in a lot of pain. Tears stained her face while blood from small cuts stained her nicest outfit. Lex looked up into the cold eyes of her mother. Just once she would like to see even a glimpse of remorse in her expression, but that was just a dream.
”Please…Mom…stop…” Lex struggled to get the words out between heaving sobs that shook her body. She didn’t know what she did to deserve this, all she did was mention that she was going on a date. Apparently that was worth an alcohol bottle being thrown and a beating.
These nights are long
You’ve lost the will to fight
Another kick to her stomach caused another cry of pain.
”You deserve this.” Pamela angrily slurred her words. Each sentence she spoke was full of fury. She seemed to enjoy the fear and pain she caused her own daughter.
Lex knew that it would be better if she just shut up and took the beating, Pamela would get tired eventually.
She started to lose the energy to cry out, started to embrace the pain. Because she felt that she did in fact deserve it.
Lex’s prediction was right, after a while Pamela stumbled back to the couch and immediately fell into a drunken sleep.
Is anybody out there?
Can you lead me to the light?
Lex sat for a while, processing what had happened. Before she even knew what was happening, she was crying again. Each sob shook her body so violently she became dizzy.
It hurt so much to know that her mother hated her. It hurt to feel weak and helpless to someone so sick. It hurt to care about someone who didn’t love her back.
At least Hannah was safe at a sleepover with Tim. At least Hannah wouldn’t have to endure another night of hearing her older sister get beat up by her own mother.
Is anybody out there?
Tell me it’ll all be alright
When the crying slowed to a stop, she became numb as she watched the world around her start to dim and the pain drain into nothingness.
**********
Ethan pulled up to the Foster’s trailer with a dark feeling in his gut. He tried to convince himself that it was just anxiety and that Lex would be coming out of the trailer door in just a second to greet him and go on their date.
Once he parked, he walked up to the door and knocked. As he waited for an answer, he adjusted his suit and fixed the bouquet he bought for Lex.
There was no answer.
He knocked again.
Still no answer.
”Lex?” He called, trying to hide the fear in his voice.
When no one answered, he became increasingly more concerned, “I’m gonna come in if you don’t open the door.”
After another moment of nothing, Ethan swung the door open.
You are not alone
Ethan pushed open the door to see a mess of broken glass and a sleeping Pamela Foster. The smell of alcohol immediately burned his nose. He turned his head and felt his heart break.
”Lex!” He rushed over, eyes wide, to his girlfriend and cradled her face. The bouquet fallen in a puddle of liquor.
”Babe, please wake up!” He gently tapped her face. Lex slowly opened her eyes to see the angel of a human before her.
”Ethan” She squeaked.
I’ve been here the whole time singing you a song
”Yeah, it’s me. I’m here. I’ve got you.” He grabbed her and held her close.
His comforting words rang in her ears like a majestic chorus of love. He loved her. And she loved him. She cried as she leaned into him.
“It’s okay. You’re safe now. Let it out. I love you so much.”
I will carry you
Ethan picked her up gently and carried her to his car.
”I’m sorry about ruining our date.” Lex croaked as she watched the town pass by out the car window.
”Don’t even think it. You could never ruin anything for me. You are my world.”
”Thanks, Ethan.” She never thought that she would get so lucky. Hannah may be Lex’s entire reason for living, but Ethan made her feel free and like she could be herself. She never wanted to seem vulnerable in front of Hannah, so she kept her feelings to herself. Ethan pushed her to open up and that helped her more than she realized.
”Always.”
I will carry you
When they reached Ethan’s house, he carried Lex into the living room. Even if she tried to convince him that she was fine.
Once he got her settled on the couch, he scrambled around for the first aid kit. Once he got it, he kneeled down in front of Lex and started cleaning her wounds. Every wince she made felt like a kick to his heart. He hated that he was hurting her, it was killing him. But he knew that it would help her get better.
After he bandaged all her cuts, he helped her change out of her stained dress into some of his sweats. He sat next to her and put on her favorite movie.
It didn’t take long for Lex to fall asleep knowing she was safe with the love of her life.
Ethan just stared at her, feeling as if she would fall back into the clutches of her evil mother if he looked away. How could anyone do that to their own child? Especially one as beautiful and smart and kind as the girl he was so lucky to call his girlfriend.
He will always carry her.