Chapter Eleven

Elowen laid in bed for hours. When she told her mother she wasn't feeling well, no other questions were asked. Elowen never faked sick. She can't remember the last time she's even had to go to the hospital. But today, although it had nothing to do with her immune system failing. She was in deed sick.

"Do you think you'd be able to pick your brother and sister up from school?" Mrs. Walson asked softly. "If not it's okay. Just make sure they don't walk in the door a second after three thirty."

Elowen has her back to the door and continued to stare at the wall. When she heard her door close she returned back to her sobbing. Pillow still wet from when she crawled in yesterday night. Constantly wiping her wet face wasn't doing her any better.

She's never been the one to sit still for too long. Elowen didn't want to go anywhere. She didn't know what to do. The feeling of being hit by someone who told her they would protect her. It's a feeling so terrible.

She's only ever been hit by her parents for discipline reasons. That she understood. But for Philip to even think about doing such an act. It was disgusting to her.

She contemplated for a while then peeled herself out of bed for the first time since she woke up. She changed out of her pajamas into a sleeveless sweater dress just so she wouldn't walk around looking lost.

It's been two hours since she had the house to herself and her first stop was the shop where she went to this weeks newspaper. She usually did these things with Philip. Old habits are hard to break.

The bell rung as she entered the building. The cashier instantly looked up at her with confusion. "You aren't supposed to be in school girl?" Elowen ignored him while slowly rummaging through the magazines. "What happen to your gas child?" She continued to ignore him. "I guess you figure me to be a pest?"

She looked away from the magazines to see why he was still talking to her. The anger on her face was present especially since he pointed out her bruise. "I just came here to get the newspaper."

The man behind the counter was young and nothing like the kid who had the lisp. His hair was cut short to his scalp and it was kind of hard to tell because his skin was so dark, but he had a cut right below his eye.

"Those are magazines. Newspaper is right here." He pointed the the basket in front of his work area. Elowen groaned while strolling over to grab one. "I see you and your boyfriend come in here all the time. Guess he wasn't so fond of ditching his education privilege."

"He's not my boyfriend and he's also dumb as bricks." She placed a nickel on the counter and took the paper. "Also, you stalkin' or what because I never see you here."

"I work in the back." They both looked to the dark room straight down the first aisle. Elowen stared down at the newspaper then placed it back on the counter. "Something wrong?"

She shook her head. "No. I just don't want it no more." She left the shop without getting her money back. She'd rather be home in her room. Everywhere she looked all she saw was Philip. At least in her room her thoughts would be calm.

That's what she hoped. Until she saw that mop of blond hair connected to Philip's head. He was staring at his hands and his knee was bouncing up and down anxiously. When her heels hit the path to her front door, Philip shot up to his feet.

"Elowen.  Jesus fuck. I am sorry. I can't find the words to tell you that I apologize so bad for ever hitting you like that." He fell to his knees in front of her and clung to her hands. "You gotta forgive me. I don't know who I was. I swear to you I will never do that to you again."

She stared down at his red face and bloodshot eyes. The tears flooded her vision until she blinked and they hit the concrete. The sight of him made her look away. The pain from last night has resurfaced.

"Philip," her lip quivered with every passing second. "You're a terrible person." She slid her hands from his grip and wiped them on her dress. "And I didn't have to hear it from anyone. You just show me everyday that I'm with you."

She stepped past him to get to her front door, but next his hands were pulling her back by her waist. "Elowen!" He called in her ear. She fought him off before stumbling away. "Do you believe in god?"

Confused, she nodded her head. "If you try and use religion on me then you have another thing coming!" He clamped his hand over her mouth so quick that they fell back on to the steps. She grabbed at his fingers but he wouldn't let go.

"Listen to me please," he begged. "I need you, Elo. And I know this 'cause for the first time in my life... I prayed for someone." He slowly removed his hand from her face. She continued to look at him like he's lost his mind and she was sure he has. "I asked god for someone who would be there for me, calm me, and understand me."

"Philip, you should be at school not bugging me."

He balled his fist when she looked away from him. "Elowen, just listen!" He clenched his teeth while resting his head on her lap. "When I met Cindy, I thought she was who I asked for. But she never understood me, Elowen. She was ever there for me. She always made me so mad."

Hesitantly, she combed her fingers through his hair.

"Then I met you. So quiet, calm, and beautiful. Who knew a small prank would do this to me. Backfired right in my face. Because after I hurt you the way I did... I hurt myself."

Elowen's mouth fell open as he got up and stood to his feet. Before she could refuse what ever he was getting ready to show her, he lifted up his sleeve.

A bandage covered his arm down to his wrist. She covered her mouth to prevent any sounds from escaping. All he did was give her a painful smile. "When I got home, I asked myself what people do to prove themselves to the ones they love. I wondered what I could do to give myself the worst pain. It didn't take much."

"Philip... what did you do!" She ran to his side hoping the touch of her warm hands would heal the pain. But the bruises stayed and the tears in her eyes returned all over again. This time she was sobbing for him. "You have to go to the hospital!"

He pushed her off him within seconds. "I can't! They'll question and I'll have to answer. I came to you because you're the only one I want to know. I won't tell anyone that I cut myself and you can't tell anyone that I hit you."

She covered her cheek that was still tender to the touch. "My mom is going to wonder when she sees me this afternoon."

"I love you, Elowen. I'm saying it now and I'll say it forever. I. Love. You." She shook her head in disbelief. "And I am terribly sorry. I will do anything for you and I know you love me so you have to do anything for me too."

Without a second thought, she nodded. "What? What can I do?"

"Keep your mouth shut. Please."