Destructive by Jessica Prince

Author:Jessica Prince [Prince, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-06-15T04:00:00+00:00

After sitting on the toilet seat for several minutes, trying to calm my breathing, I finally step over to the sink to splash cold water on my face. Looking up, I take in my reflection. My skin is pale, my eyes wide and bloodshot. What little makeup I’d been wearing is now smeared by the tears that leaked out, staining my cheeks. I look like I’ve just seen a ghost. And I guess, in a way, I kind of have. I’ve tried so hard to erase my past that some days it’s like I only dreamed those horrible things happened. It’s moments like this—where my present clashes with my past—that reality comes crashing back down, causing me to crack.

I stay locked in the bathroom for what feels like an eternity. In the short amount of time I’ve been at Gabriel’s I’ve already managed to ruin our evening. Feeling discouraged, I decide that the best thing for me to do is to call it a night. Hopefully he’ll understand. I wanted this night to go so well, but there’s just no coming back from the scene I just caused.

I unlock the door and open it as quietly as possible. Maybe I can just sneak out and send Gabriel a text later explaining why I needed to leave. I really hope he understands.

I slip out, walking on my tip toes in order to make as little sound as possible. I’m so busy watching my steps, trying not to make any noise that I haven’t noticed Gabriel watching me until he speaks. “Going somewhere?”

I let out a startled shriek and clutch my chest. There goes my hope of escaping quietly. His expression holds concern and disappointment as he looks down at me with his arms crossed over his massive chest.

“You scared the shit out of me,” I say, trying to deflect from his question. “Why are you standing in front of the bathroom door?” I know I have no right to sound accusatory, but being caught trying to sneak out after having Gabriel witness my panic attack is just too much for me to handle in one night.

He doesn’t move a muscle as he stares, watching me like a hawk. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. And I had a feeling you might try to bolt. Looks like I was right.” Now it’s his turn to sound accusatory.

A defeated sigh escapes as I break eye contact. I feel like he can see too much when he looks as me. Maintaining my mask is nearly impossible when he’s around. “Look, I think it would be best if I just go. I’ve already managed to ruin our evening, let’s not make it any worse, okay? I’ll text you later.”

I try to step around him and head for the front door, but he steps into my path, blocking me. “No.”

My eyes shoot back up to his, momentarily confused by the determination in his voice. “No? What the hell do you mean ‘no’?”

“I mean I’m not going to let you run from me again.

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