Chapter 44 : It's definitely not a coincidence.

Chapter 44 : It's definitely not a coincidence.

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The entire car ride I didn't say a word.

I felt kind of numb and also in shock. I never thought I would have to go through harassment by anyone, the way I did today.

Aaron seemed on edge, but didn't ask anything yet, and for that, I'm grateful. I don't know if I can tell anyone, I feel embarrassed.

"Let's go, Oreo." Aaron said cheerily, trying to brighten up my mood.

But nothing was working right now, I can't even feel anything at this point.

I nodded silently and we made our way to a cookies and icecream place. I feel like I have lost my appetite even though I was starving.

The place was a little crowded and therefore I felt on edge, I was already in my own trance and now I have to walk past people, boys especially.

Aaron and I found an empty table anyways and we took a seat.

"What flavor of icecream do you want?" Aaron asked me.

"Doesn't matter." I replied in a small voice and Aaron sighed as he nodded and walked away to the register.

I don't know if I can be alone right now, so I hope Aaron will finish soon.

Five minutes later, Aaron returned with two icecream cups and a cookie.

"Oreo flavored icecream." He grinned, handling me the icecream.

I chuckled carelessly, "Thanks."

"So uh," Aaron tried to change the subject, "do you want to do something else after this?"

I shook my head as to say no.

Aaron slumped back in his chair and we started eating our food silently.

When I took the first bite out of the cookie, I realized just how hungry I am.

"Can we finish outside?" I asked Aaron, looking around uneasily.

I don't feel comfortable around this amount of people here, and the air doesn't feel like it's enough to fill my lungs.

"Yeah, sure." Aaron said and we both got up, grabbed our icecreams and my cookie and left the place.

We made a small walk and then came across a park so we randomly took a seat there on one of the benches.

The sun hasn't went out completely still, but it probably will in about twenty minutes.

I should probably inform my parents that I am safe but I don't know if I can hear mom's voice right now.

"Ellie." Aaron said suddenly and I lifted my head up to look at his face, that looked all serious right now.

"Yes?" I replied in question.

"Did someone hurt you?" Aaron went straight to the point as he pointed at a bruise on my right wrist that I failed to notice earlier.

He was pressing so hard on my wrists, no wonder it'd leave a mark.

I didn't know how to answer Aaron.

I ended up nodding my head slowly and Aaron glared far ahead.

After a while Aaron asked, "What happened?"

How do I explain this to him? I don't know if I will be able to.

Maybe I should tell someone, because I'm not going to be able to figure out what to do from here on by myself.

"I was walking away from Rose's house today," I started and Aaron nodded, "well, I didn't get that far before Brad showed up."

Aaron's jaw clenched and I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

I couldn't say the next part without looking away, "He.. you know."

"I really don't, my mind is going many places at a time." Aaron said, sounding worried.

"I don't know if I can say this." I said, my bottom lip quivering, but I can't cry again. Enough crying for today.

"Did he.." Aaron says closing his eyes, his face contorted, "touch you?"

I sucked a sharp breath in and nodded my head as my eyes cast downwards in shame.

Aaron sighs loudly, "How far did he get?"

I couldn't help but let one tear trail down my face, which was ofcourse, followed by others, "Someone called him right before he..you know," I said, still not glancing at Aaron, "he had to leave."

Aaron didn't say anything so I just continued, "I really can't share any details right now, but it took so long, I really thought I wouldn't get out of there okay." I said letting out a sob.

"I'm so sorry, Ellie." Aaron said and wrapped his arms around me for the second time today.

"I should've been there." He whispered and I shook my head against his chest.

"No, I was leaving Rose's house and he showed up suddenly, there's nothing you could've done." I said, wiping at my tears.

Aaron cupped my face in his hands and I melted into his touch.

I'm cold today, and Aaron's touch brings all the warmth I'm missing.

"I'm going to get him back for you, I promise." He whispered sternly padding under my eyes carefully in attempt to wipe my tears away.

"No, I don't want you to get involved with him."

"No, I will get him back, I said I promise Ellie." Aaron said, scowling, and I just nodded my head.

I don't know if there's anything that Aaron can do but right now, I just need to be in his arms, because he always seems to make everything alright.

"I'm sorry I called you, but Rose didn't pick up and I was scared and.." I tried to explain but Aaron cut me off, still holding my face and looking in my eyes closely.

"Don't ever hesitate to call me, I'll always be there, you're so important to me." Aaron said and my heart warmed at that, at the same time, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion as Aaron's eyes zoomed in on my neck.

"Is there something there?" I placed my hand on the spot Aaron is gazing at and hissed as I felt a sting.

He made sure to leave his mark everywhere.

"When did you drop your icecream?" Aaron chuckled, looking at the ground where I absentmindedly dropped my icecream.

I'm thankful he's changing the subject because I don't think I can handle another breakdown.

"Fuck, I know you paid for that." I chuckled back and Aaron let go of me.

"I kept the cookie though." I shrugged and showed him the bag of the cookie.

"Do you want to go home?" Aaron suddenly asked me.

"Yes, please." I replied weakly, I need to shower very badly.

"Okay." Aaron nodded softly and we made our way to his car.

I tried to devour the cookie on the way home because Aaron got it for me, but my stomach was churning over and over again.

I wanted to thank Aaron for everything, but my mind kept on going blank. I had never felt this down in my life.

"I will call you in a couple of hours, okay?" Aaron said and I just nodded silently as I left the car and readily walked up to the door.

After hugging my parents, and pretending that everything was okay and apologizing for being so late, I told them I needed a shower and hurriedly left the room before they can spot any marks on me.

I took a long shower. I washed my body over and over again for what seemed like an hour, I needed to wipe his touch off of me.

But when I had turned off my lights and lied on my bed, I felt panicky all over again.

It felt like Brad was actually here in my room. I don't know if I can sleep.

My phone ringing startled me and I shakily grabbed it. Aaron was calling me. I'd forgotten that he said he will.

"Hello." I said drily and Aaron's deep voice filled my ears.

For some reason, his voice resembled a sense of comfort to me.

"Hey, Oreo, I didn't wake you up, did I?" Aaron asked.

"No, I can't sleep." I said bitterly, looking frankly around my room in the darkness.

I think I should turn on the lights.

"Yeah," Aaron said awkwardly, sensing my discomfort, "I figured."

"I'm so scared, honestly." I told Aaron, sighing in despair.

"Don't worry, Oreo, I'll stay on the phone with you till you fall asleep, okay?" Aaron said and at that, I smiled.

Aaron did stay on the phone with me that night, we avoided the subject of Brad, and instead he was able to make me smile a couple of times.

I didn't know when did I fall asleep, but I know the last thing I heard was Aaron's voice.

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Going to school wasn't easy at all, I haven't exactly been myself recently and everyone is starting to question why.

Only Aaron knows. And I prefer to keep it this way, atleast just for now. I really don't want to address that incident again.

Yesterday, Brad didn't show up in class. I was thankful but also worried.

He just skipped school right after he assaulted me, is that just a coincidence?

Maybe it is, and I'm just overthinking.

Aaron didn't mention the entire thing either. He just asks how I am every morning and then we both go on with our day like normal and I'm grateful for that.

Today is the last day of school up until next week anyways. Thanksgiving is two days away and so they will give us Thursday and Friday off.

I'm very thankful for that because I feel like watching movies all night and then sleeping the entire next day.

"I'm thankful for my dog and that's pretty much about it." Ethan said and my head snapped back at the conversation we're having about what we're thankful for, only appropriate for Thanksgiving.

Nathan rolled his eyes at that and then turned his head towards me, "What are you thankful for, Ellie?"

"Harry Styles, duh." I said, rolling my eyes.

"Besides him." Aaron said, scoffing.

Oh okay.

"I don't want to sound cheesy, promise me y'all won't make fun of me." I said, more serious this time and everyone muttered 'promise'.

"I'm really thankful that I got to know you all, and how close you've grown with Rose and I." I said, chuckling, and Rose smiled at me.

"Awww, I love you." Laurel said and I grinned.

Everyone responded back dramatically and we all kind of got emo.

I locked eyes with Aaron and grinned at him when I found him already smiling at me.

I'm so thankful for Aaron. I can't even put it to words.

"Dude, what happened to him?" Steve suddenly said to Aaron and they both looked behind me as Aaron frowned.

I turned my head and saw Brad. All bruised up.

His face looks actually damaged, too bad I can't tell if his body is damaged too due to the amount of clothing he's wearing.

It's definitely not a coincidence.

I snapped my head back at Aaron and he just looked away.

God, what has he done?

After lunch, thankfully Aaron and I had the same class along with Rose and Ethan, but I was determined to talk to him alone.

"I went to his house." Aaron answered my question.

"What, when, how did you even know his house?!" I exasperated and Aaron sighed.

"Sunday, I went there, knocked on the door and beat the shit out of him." Aaron shrugged as if that's just a casual Sunday morning.

"Alone, you did all that alone?" I asked incredulously, referring to the damage on Brad's ugly face.

"I paid some guys, okay?" Aaron finally said.

"His house?" I asked again.

"Please listen to me Ellie." Aaron said, surprising me.

"I can't let someone do that to you and just let him be, I just can't, you don't understand how painful it was to find you in that state on the ground," Aaron said and I realized he wasn't done talking.

"Knowing where he lives wasn't hard at all, he lives close by Rose's house, that's why he happened to be there, I know some people that would do anything for money, now is it all clear?"

I nodded, my eyes tearing up a little at Aaron's affection but I held it in this time, "Thank you." I whispered.

"Don't thank me, I would do anything for you, in a heartbeat." Aaron said, turning his head towards me.

I felt goosebumps appear on my skin, I didn't know if it was due to the cold weather, or Aaron's words.

I didn't have time to reply as our teacher came in, but during the entire class, I was just thinking about everything that happened.

Not just this week, but every time Aaron was there for me, every time he did something special to make me happy, I'm so damn thankful for Aaron Owens.

And I know I like him.

No matter how much I avoid catching feelings, Aaron just won't allow that.

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A/N

Idk if this was rushed or it's okay but ELLIE'S FINALLY ADMITTED TO LIKING HIM.

We're getting there y'all.

I feel so bad because i havent updated in two weeks, but hey I just hit 15K !!

~Sania (Shawmila's og shipper since 2015) Xx