Chapter Text
Stella was ready to leave for the academy, covering her freshly bruised cheek with the little make up she had in the bathroom cabinet. She fluffed her curls before taking a deep breath, closing the cabinet door to be stared blankly back at by her reflection in the mirror.
Her eyes filled with water as she then became a blur. A blur to herself. Why? Why was she still here, taking the same crap day in day out.
"Stella! What are you doing in there?"
She jumped as she snapped back to reality, the reality of him still waiting for her outside the door.
"I'm just freshening up, won't be a second" she tried to say cheerfully through the door.
She hurried herself and made her way anxiously back into the lounge. His breath soon filled her body with goosebumps as he stood close behind her.
"You weren't going to leave without saying goodbye was you?" He asked as the smell of whisky on his breath lingered in the air around them.
"Nope, I know you like your goodbye kiss, I wouldn't ever leave without saying goodbye"
She cringed inside at the thought of still being with him, her allowing him to touch her, kiss her. Deep down she knew she still loved him. But what for? He did nothing but bring her down, manipulate and hurt her. Was it love, or was it all she ever knew?
She turned herself to him, holding his cold veiny hand, placing a gentle kiss on his lips.
"I'll see you after shift"
He tugged viciously at her arm as she began to walk away, forcing her to stop and turn back at him.
"Yeah?" She asked quietly.
"Is that all, a half-hearted kiss like that, do you even love me? Kissing me like I'm nothing to you!"
His voice raised, echoed around the empty apartment. Leaving her feeling hopeless as she felt herself falling back into the trap.
"You know I love you"
His grip tightened around her now weakened arm.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Always." She said with a whisper as she looked up at him.
Her big brown eyes, now looking at him as if she was nothing. He made her feel worthless. He tightened his grip once more as her wrist started to burn, the sheer panic she felt ran through her body as she braved herself for what was next.
"You need to act more like you do"
He got himself close to her face as she flinched back a little, trying to put on a brave face so she could hurry up and get out of there and on with her day. She nodded at him slightly as he grabbed her face, squeezing her cheeks as he kissed her. She didn't enjoy it one bit but made out like she did. It was always just to please him and keep him from hurting her any more than he usually does.
He released his grip from her wrist as he passed her back her bag.
"Have a nice day babe." He smiled at her as she nodded.
"I'm sure I will"
As cheerful as she tried to be, she hurried herself out of the apartment and down to her car. She jingled her keys to release them from being tangled together and headed to the station. Only 2 more days until her exam, the thought of her passing and finally making something of herself was keeping her going.
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She pulled up into the academy car park. Finding all the strength she had to be able to get herself through the day. She was happiest when she was keeping busy. Why? Her mind wasn't focusing on all the bad which was most likely about to come.
Still deep in thought, she took a deep breath and opened the car door, giving a slight tug on her bag before swinging it over her shoulder.
"Boo!"
She jumped as she let out a slight scream, shaking before turning to be greeted by him and those eyes. His smile soon dropped and the twinkle from his eyes faded.
"Im sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. What happened to you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I will be anyway."
She let out a slight smile at him, realising he could probably see the fresh bruises and marks on her arms. She shuffled her sleeves down, covering the fresh sores on her small wrists.
"You're really telling me you're fine, who did that to you?" He asked concerned.
"It's nothing, I fell."
She knew she didn't want to get anyone else involved in her mess. She was figuring stuff out on her own, she didn't need the added pressure from someone else. As much as they got along and could see he cared, she couldn't justify letting anyone in on what she was dealing with. It was normal for her, to fight him and these demons on her own.
"If you're sure? I'm always around, you know, if you need anything"
He didn't want to overstep, although he knew something was off with her. He had to respect her and the privacy she wanted to keep. Angry at whoever did that to her, he could only look out for her whilst at the academy.
Her heart melted at how sweet he was being. All she wanted to do was scream at the top of her voice. She hated she couldn't tell anyone what was really going on. She could. Deep down she definitely knew she could. But how fair would that be? Her throwing her emotions at a man she'd only know for a few weeks.
She lost herself in those eyes once more before both walking in together, changing the subject of what she was wanting to say.
Little did she know, Grant was watching from a distance. He riled himself up in his thoughts of another man when she came home with a distinctive smell of aftershave on her. Angrier than ever, he sped off and left to bury his sorrows in drugs and alcohol.
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Stella's day was coming to an end when she was greeted again by Kelly. 'Those blue eyes' as they were printed in her mind.
"Hey, wait up!" He shouted to her as he caught back his breath from chasing after her before she could get in her car.
"Hey" she chuckled as he scrunched his face, taking in as much air as he could.
"You're quick! Just wanted to see if you're doing anything tonight? A few of us are headed to Molly's, you up for it?"
"Sure, if I'm not busy I'll definitely stop by"
"Cool. Make sure you do, it'll be nice to see you out of your gear"
A shy grin covered her face, her bruised cheek now faded by the redness of her skin after making her blush. She tucked her hair behind her ear as she smiled to herself. Trying her best to be subtle and not let him see. The only attention she had gotten in what seemed like forever.
"I'll see you then" she smiled before getting into her car.
He waited and waved her off as she drove away into the distance. Kelly knew she was in some sort of trouble, he could sense it after the new bruises appearing. All he needed to do was be there for her, hoping she'd open up and he would be able to help. Why? He didn't know himself just yet, but he did know she was one of a kind, strong and fierce yet so beautifully shy.
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Stella arrived home as she was met with an empty apartment. The cold air filled the lounge as she dropped her bag, the noise echoing around her. A weight lifted from her shoulders, knowing she was safe for that little bit longer.
Stella got herself ready for Molly's. She didn't have much to wear with Grant taking most of her money for drugs. She chose a black leather skirt and paired it with a sweatshirt. All of a sudden she felt human again, she felt normal. This a regular thing for everyone but her, normally she'd be stuck indoors applying to Grants rules, if she didn't, only her would know what would come of it.
As she was applying the finishing touches of her makeup the bathroom door swung open aggressively, shattering the glass of the mirror.
"Where do you think you're going slut?"
His eyes were glassy, his words slurring out of his mouth.
"I've been invited out by my academy class, a celebration before our exam in a couple of days" her voice shaking as she stood back a little.
"I don't think so"
"What do you mean? I've told them I'll meet them at 7"
"You're not leaving here"
Her panic suddenly turned to anger, all she could think of were those blue eyes. His soft voice replaying in her head at how different the two of them were.
"I'm going, it's to celebrate. So I'm going."
Where had her confidence come from, she would never of spoken to him like that before. Where was her courage to stand up to him coming from. He slapped her face as an instant hand print appeared across her freshly blushed cheek.
"I'm sorry, you know I didn't mean it"
Her eyes filled with tears as she brushed past him, she grabbed her bag as quickly as she could and headed out of the apartment. She didn't think twice about looking back, she called her cab and headed for Molly's.
Kelly's head rose with every creak of the old oak door of Molly's.
"Waiting for someone are we?" Gabby asked him as she brought over his beer.
"Eh, we'll see"
He smiled up at Gabby, insisting she not ask any more than she needed to, he wasn't getting his hopes up. He kind of knew she didn't fall and she definitely didn't seem the fighter type. He could only guess it was her partner. All he could think of were the bruises and those deep brown eyes of hers.
Just as he was downing the rest of his beer, the door creaked and as usual, his head shot into the direction of the entrance. There she was. Stood, her eyes searching the room for those blue eyes. He waved over as he scanned her body, his eyes leading from the floor and up her body. Her curvy waist and thick thighs.
"Wow"
As his eyes rose to greet her bubbly smile, his face changed in an instant.
"What happened to you? You fell again huh?" He asked.
He had his clarification, he knew someone had done that to her, but who? Why?
"It's nothing, I just want to forget and get drunk"
"Is that such a good idea? Who did it? Your boyfriend?"
"It's nothing to worry about. What's it take to get a drink around here?"
Her voice was different, she seemed relaxed. Kelly stood confused, she's been hit but seems more bubbly than usual, somethings off.
He brushed it off and tried to enjoy their drinks, he was focused on her constantly, he couldn't get the thought of someone hurting her out of his mind.
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"I'm gonna get going" he said as he stood, turning the heads of the group he was with.
"How come?"
"Just not feeling it, night!"
He headed to the bar talking to Gabby before making his way to the door.
"I'll be back" Stella said as she left the table.
She got to the door and searched the crowd which was gathered outside of Molly's, only to notice Grant was standing, faced off with Kelly.
Her heart sank as she could see Grant in his face, shouting his words slurred. Those glassy eyes, things never ended well with those.
She made her way over as she stood by Kelly.
"What's going on?" She asked confused as to what Grant was doing there.
"I see why you left in such a hurry. You're a slut!"
"Don't talk about her like that!" Kelly's voice rose in anger.
"Kelly it's okay. Grant. Go home"
"We're done! You're nothing to me now." Grant said before turning away.
Before Kelly could react, Grant swung a punch at Kelly, landing it on his lip as he stumbled back a little.
"What are you doing? Just go!"
Stella's eyes filled with tears as she looked towards Kelly, guilt filling her body as she noticed the blood dripping down onto the stubble on his chin.
"I'm so sorry" she said not being able to contain her tears.
"It's okay, I'm okay"
Kelly stood with his arm around Stella to comfort her as they watched Grant get into his car in the distance. His tyres screeching as he sped off down the cold Chicago streets.