Chapter 9: Chapter Eight

I CHANGED TRAVIS' CHARACTER, HE'LL BE PLAYED BY THAT GUY -----> (I WAS NEVER HAPPY WITH WHO PLAYED TRAVIS. HE JUST DIDN'T FIT HIM BUT NOW I FOUND SOMEONE)

Seth’s Point of View

Travis was angry. He was so angry he couldn’t stand still. I was getting dizzy watching him pace back and forth as I sat on his couch. I can’t believe he saved me. I’m still in shock from what happened. The second I walked through the door to my house the man was furious with me and I didn’t say or do anything to him. Then he started talking about my mom and my baby sister and I snapped and said, “Fuck you”. He was on me faster than I had a chance to process what I said.

There are bruises on my stomach and back, that I’m sure of, from the way he was kicking and punching me. I didn’t want Travis to see it so I haven’t taken a look even though they’re hurting like hell.

Travis was mumbling to himself. I have no idea what he’s saying and he’s been doing that on and off for the past half an hour. I think he’s just trying to process everything that happened at my house. I can’t believe he hit my dad in the head with the floor lamp. There was no question when Travis told me he was getting me out of there. My heart healed a little from the mere realization that he cares for me, if even just a little bit.

“Are you hurt?” He asked. I didn’t realize that he had stopped pacing and was now kneeling in front of me. I bit my lip, thinking what to say to him. I don’t want him to know about them but I don’t want to lie to him again either. It hurt me to but those other times I couldn’t tell him the truth because he didn’t know what was going with me. I can no longer lie to him, not now, not ever, especially because of what he did for me. Slowly, I stood and lifted my shirt. “Shit,” he hissed. “What kind of man does this to his own son? Seth, I’m so sorry, I had no idea. This…” His voice broke a little.

“It’s not your fault”

“Remember when we went for coffee and you told me you weren’t sure if your mom loved you?” I nodded. There’s nothing about that day I can’t remember. Every single detail, every smile shared, every joke made, and every word said is embedded in my brain. “I know you said you weren’t ready in the café today but where is your mom? And you said you had an older brother and a younger sister, where are they?”

“My brother is in the Army.”

He looked at me questioningly before sighing. “I understand. Will you be okay by yourself? I’m just going out to get a few things and I’ll be back”

“I’ll be fine, thank you”

“Alright, you won’t tell me anything else. Just make yourself at home and take a hot bath to sooth your body.” I nodded.

“Thank you, Travis. For saving my life…just for everything in general”

“You’re welcome. I’ll be back in a few.” I nodded, watched him grab his car keys and left. As soon as the door close I broke down and started crying. All I could think is what if Travis hadn’t shown up? What would have happened to me? I did noting to my father. I was a good kid. My grades in high school were always good, I got into a great college because of that, I never misbehaved, I stayed to myself so that I wouldn’t bother anyone and I was obedient to their every request or whatever they demanded of me.

“Don’t cry, Seth,” I whispered to myself. “You’re in good hands now.” Travis won’t hurt me, I know that deep within my heart. Maybe I’m being naïve and wishful but my instinct and feelings tells me otherwise.

Wiping my tears, I stood up and opened my suitcase lying on the floor of the living room and took out pajamas. I like pajamas a lot; I think I have more pajamas than I have other clothes. Travis hadn’t showed me around since he was too angry to focus so I had to find the bathroom myself. I walked into four rooms before I found the bathroom. The condominium was beautiful and by the looks of everything very expensive too.

I opt for a hot shower instead of taking a bath like Travis had suggested. Oh how I wish I had some painkillers. My entire body throbbed and I was starting to get a headache from it. Not knowing what else to do, I sat on the couch like a good little boy and wait for Travis to come back.

To distract my impatient mind, I looked around the condo. It was huge and I mean huge. It had an open concept kitchen, living room, and dinning room. My curiosity got the best of me and I picked up the touch screen universal remote. Hmm, that looks like an interesting button. Push! “Holy shit!” I yelped when the lights went off, casting the room in complete darkness. I pressed the button again and the lights came back on.

Giggling, I pressed another button and the blinds started going up to reveal ceiling to floor glass windows taking up an entire section of the living room. Wow. Placing the remote on the table, I stepped up to the window that gave an amazing view of the city. I’ve lived here for a year and I’m just now seeing how beautiful it is. Maybe it had to do with how high up I am.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” I screamed at the sound of Travis’ voice, jumping a few feet in the air. I placed my hand on my chest as I tried to calm down. “Sorry, I thought you heard me come in”

“I didn’t.” Jesus, he almost gave me a bloody heart attack.

“I’m sorry, here.” He handed me a Rite Aid bag. “I got you some Ibuprofen to help with the pain if you’re feeling any, Bruise Healing Cream, and Icepacks if you need it.”

“Um.” He does care. I’m trying so hard not to smile or jump on him and hug the living shit out of him. “Thank you”

“You’re welcome. Rub that on and come eat when you’re done,” with that, he walked off to the kitchen. I read the instructions on the box before taking out the tube. Looking up, I made sure Travis wasn’t paying attention before I turned my back, lifted my shirt and rubbed the cream on the bruises on my stomach, gritting my teeth and hissing from the pain. There was a cup of water next to a plate of what looked like Chinese food on the table in the dinning room. “The water is for your pills. There’s plenty of juice in the fridge if you feel for something else.”

“Thank you”

“You’re welcome.” I’m honestly overwhelmed with how he’s treating me. In the back of my head I keep wondering if him being nice is just temporary until he’s over what happened to me. I looked at him, wondering what he was thinking. He was slowly chewing his mouth and he was reading something on his phone. Whatever he was reading must be really important the way he squinted his pretty eyes at the screen. “What is it, Seth?” I felt my cheeks heat up. How did he know I was staring at him? As embarrassing as that was I wish he would say that again. His voice was so soft and caressing in a way that I could swear it touched me.

“Um, I already told you I don’t have anywhere to go when you asked. I don’t have a lot of money right now because I already paid my father the rent for the month but as soon as I get my next paycheck I can contribute for you having me stay here.” Travis stared at me this whole time, an unreadable expression on his face. His gaze was making me hot flustered.

“Are there bruises on your back?”

“Um, yeah. Did you hear what I said?” I asked, completely confused by his passiveness. Pushing his chair back, he stood up and walked over to me, picking up the cream from the table where I had placed it.

“Stand up”

“What?”

“Stand up so I can put the cream on the bruises on your back”

“No, I’m good,” I mumbled, blushing like mad.

Travis rolled his eyes and gave me a flat look. “I’m trying to help you here.” It’s not that I didn’t want his help, I’m simply afraid of him touching me. He doesn’t know how I feel. He doesn’t know how much I missed him. He doesn’t know that I’m passionately in love with him and him touching me could quite possibly make me cry myself to sleep tonight knowing that it won’t happen again. Grudgingly, I stood and turned my back to Travis. “Sorry, I already have the cream on my hand, can you please lift up your shirt?” I gritted my teeth and slowly lifted my shirt. Just the touch of the soft fabric rubbing against the bruises caused me to change my breathing to a steadier one. If this hurts so bad I definitely won’t be sleeping with a shirt on tonight. “It’s cold so be ready.” Oh thank God. Now I have a reason for if I shiver when he touches me. And that’s exactly what I did. The second his finger made contact with my skin I shivered. Then he gently started applying the cream on the first bruise on my lower back and immediately I forgot about the sensation his hands brought and was hissing from the pain. “Sorry, I’ll try to be more gentle.”

“Okay.” He did go gentler and I almost didn’t feel any pain. In all honesty, the actual pain was less painful than the pain the memory of us being together conveyed on my heart.

Suddenly, Travis swore behind me. “If I ever see your father again I swear to God I’m going to break his leg.” His sudden anger must have been the big bruise he’s currently rubbing the cream on that’s on my right shoulder.

“I’m okay,” I assured him.

“I’m glad you’re okay, believe me. But it’s not about that, what if I hadn’t showed up when I did? How many times had he put his hands on you, by the way?” I shrugged, not really remembering. “‘Kay, I’m done.”

“Thank you.” He handed me the tube and went back to sit at the opposite end of the table. “How did you find me anyways?”

“You lied to me about how you got the bruise on your face and when I asked you about your father you unconsciously touched it”

“Are you an expert psychologist or something?”

“A psychology minor,” he corrected. “And that has nothing to do with it. I hate being lied to so I pick up on small things that give people away”

“How much do you want me to pay you for staying here”

He cocked his head to the side, “Does your brother know about your father?”

“You have to tell him. That’s one condition to you living here. Number two, I’m going to have to come clean to my parents about everything, which includes me telling them about what happened to you or else there’s no way they’re going to be accepting of this.” I blinked. “Number three, your boyfriend is not allowed in my home”

“What boyfriend?”

“That blond kid…Lucas or whatever”

“You mean, Luke? We broke up almost two months ago…wait, how did you he was my boyfriend?”

“When you broadcast your private life on Facebook people talk.” Noted.

“There’s three bedrooms total since I’ve turned the study into a bedroom so if you want to have a friend over just let me know. Oh, no boys. If you have a guy friend they can visit you and spend a few hours but that’s about it.” Why does he sound so jealous and possessive? Am I reading into this?

“You don’t have to worry about that.”

“So do we have a deal or not?”

“It’s a deal but how can I contribute. I have a job and I can’t just work and keep my money while you pay for everything.” That wouldn’t be fair and it would eat me a live daily if I let that happen.

“We alternate when buying groceries or whatever we need here. I like junk food and takeout so that sounds fair. You have a week to tell your brother. If you don’t communicate with him in a week then the next time he calls. I’m telling my parents that you’re here by emailing them tomorrow”

“Do they hate me or something? I don’t like the way you said that,” I mumbled.

“I’m not the person I used to be, Seth. You played a big part in that but they don’t hate you. They have as many questions as I do…or did”

“I understand.” Though understanding doesn’t make me feel better.

“Go to bed, Seth, you’ve been through a lot today.” I nodded and went to the living room for my suitcase and duffle bag. Travis led me to a room. It was really nice and simple. It had a nice queen size bed, a dresser and a chest, and a closet. “Goodnight”

“Thank you for everything, Travis!” I said, wanting to hug him but really can’t. That broke my heart even more.

“You’re welcome.” He walked out the room, closing the door behind him. Without even unpacking, I pulled my shirt off and curled up in a ball underneath the covers.

I’m not the person I used to be, Seth. You played a big part in that.

I’m not the person I used to be, Seth. You played a big part in that.

I’m not the person I used to be, Seth. You played a big part in that.

I never meant to hurt you, Travis. Please forgive me. Maybe in time I can tell you why I had to leave.