Paradisal Tragedy (19 page)

Twenty-Four

Annabella and Travis sat in her bedroom as the waited for her friends to get here. It was Christmas break and they were going to spend each and every day together. It was amazing how fast time went by. It felt like just yesterday. Over the course of the past six months, she’d been happier than she had been in her entire life. After that day when they’d met with Travis’s father, and she told him she loved him, everything started into place. Even Marissa didn’t come around again, as Travis had expected she would. They had nothing that tied them to their pasts anymore; it was just Travis and Annabella, here and now.

“So, are you going to be nice to Aubrey?” Annabella asked, not sure if their understanding would last now that he knew she had a part in why she was left in the locker room that awful night.

“I told you I would. Did I give you any reason to doubt that?” Travis asked her.

“No, but after what I told you, I thought you’d start to hate her again,” Annabella admitted as she searched Travis’s face for some insight to what he was thinking.

“Look, I hate the fact that she had some part to do with what happened, if she wouldn’t have stood you up, he would have never touched you, but it wasn’t her fault. I don’t blame her, just like you don’t. I blame the lowlife douche bag that thought he had a right to force himself on you. I’m just grateful I don’t know him. If I did, I’d kill him.” Travis said with fury in his voice.

“Travis, don’t say that,” she said, although she was grateful he cared enough to want to hurt her rapist the way he’d hurt her. She didn’t want him to act as violently towards anyone as her rapist had been on her.

“Why the hell not? That pig deserves to die for what he did to you, Bella, if I had known you back then, I’d kill him my damn self,” Travis threatened with hatred in his eyes.

“Travis, it’s in the past,” Annabella told him, not wanting to live in the past anymore.

“So you’re just over what he did to you?” Travis asked, searching her face for answers.

“I’ll never be over what happened and I’ll never be okay with was he did. I’ll always have times when things bring me back there. I won’t give him the power to control the rest of my life though. I can’t live in the past forever. I let go, and for the first time I can breathe again,” Annabella said to him as she pushed him to the bed and kissed him. Travis’s kisses were enchanting. He kissed her in a way that no one ever had. Not even Matt. He was gentle, but at the same time he didn’t kiss her as if she’d break. Each kiss was filled with a passion that was indescribable.

“God, I love you,” Travis said, moving beside her on the bed and pulling her into his arms. It was the one place he preferred her. He could hold her forever, if only she’d let him.

“I love you too Travis. So much. Do you ever think about the future?” she asked him out of the blue.

It shocked him to hear the question. He’d never thought about the future before, not with his life, nor a life with someone else, now here she was asking him about it.

“To be honest, no,” Travis admitted.

“Not at all?” she asked, disappointed.

“Before I met you, I knew where I was going, and that was nowhere. I never thought I could amount to anything. Girls were just sex to me, but when you walked into my life everything changed. So if you’re asking me what I see in my future, I don’t know Bella, but if you’re asking me who I see in my future, my answer is you,” he said honestly. He’d never imagined spending his life with anyone, and although they were young, he wanted to be with Annabella for as long as possible, and he just hoped that she felt the same way.

Annabella stared at Travis as she absorbed his words. She couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of his mouth. She’d known Travis to be cocky, irritating, complicated, rebellious, but she hadn’t really know him to be the guy to confess things like his future with her. She loved this side of him; she loved every side of him. She couldn’t bear to think about where she would be if Travis hadn’t walked into her life. She said it before, but she was going to say it again, he saved her life.

“Earth to Bella,” Travis said as he noticed her slipping farther and farther away.

“Sorry, I was just thinking about something,”  Annabella told Travis as she snuggled closer to him.

“What about? “

“How everything you said, is exactly how I felt. Travis, I never imagined that I could be this close to someone. After than night, I thought my life love was permanently over. I never came close to having anyone I actually wanted to be with.” Annabella told Travis.

“I know, and I’m so grateful that you’re here with me. Well considering this is your house, I’m glad I’m here with you. You get the point though.”

“Travis, are you sure you want to be here when they get here? I mean you and my friends, you aren’t that nice to each other.”

“That’s true, but they’re your friends so any friend of yours is a friend of mine. I don’t have to like them; I just have to tolerate them. I don’t mind Matt. Matt, he loved you that’s the only problem I ever had with him. Your other friends though, they just seem all about them. I won’t be rude though, I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise,” Travis said with a smirk.

“You just have to get to know them, they’re really great they just don’t know you,” Annabella defended them. She wasn’t sure who she wasn’t trying to convince: her or Travis.

“I told you, I’d do it for you, but I doubt I will ever like them Annabella.”

“I liked your friends,” Annabella told him with a pout. Over the course of the last six months, Travis took her to his job, where she met Travis’s best friend Cameron. He was a blonde with green eyes. His skin was tan; Annabella wasn’t sure if it was his natural skin tone, or if it was from the sun. He was a bit rough around the edges, as Travis was, but deep inside him was a big marshmallow.

He told her stories about Travis over the years. Travis even introduced her as his girlfriend, which made her grin. Cameron was welcoming towards her, and he made her feel just as much of a friend as Travis was to him. She got to meet Cameron’s girlfriend, Kallie, who she took an instant liking towards. She wasn’t like most girls at all. She was fearless. She did what she wanted, how she wanted and didn’t care what people thought. They became friends instantly, and she hung out with her outside of hanging with Travis and Cameron.

“My friends are different. They’re nice people. I don’t say that to be a Dick, but come one, Kallie and Cameron don’t make you feel small. And I guess it’s a bonus that they really love you. “Travis told her as he kissed her nose

“I love them too. Almost as much as I love you.” She told him in an excited voice

“Well, I love you too baby. Now I want to make out with you until we have to face your friends, when will they be here? “Travis asked her as he ended up on top of her on the bed

“I’m not sure, but I imagine we have time,” Annabella informed him, placing her arms around his neck just as their lips met.

They stayed like that for what felt like a lifetime, before a knock on the door forced them to pull apart.

“Just a second,” she called, throwing the shirt that Travis removed throughout their make out session at him.

“Hurry up,” Ryan called.

“Why are you rushing me?” Annabella asked just as she opened the door.

“They’re here,” Ryan said, pulling her out. Travis wasn’t far behind.

“Oh joy,” Travis responded, making Ryan laugh. Over the past few months of being around Annabella he also got to know her brother, and they became good friends. They had a lot in common, including their feelings for one Aubrey.

 “Oh my God, you look amazing,” Aubrey said as she pulled her friend into a hug. Not long after Chelsea and Maxie joined in.

“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself, in fact you look way different. I love your hair,” she said, noticing Aubrey’s bob cut and black highlights.

After a bit more chit chat, Aubrey moved to where Chelsea and Maxie were. They went into deep conversation about something that looked important.

“It’s great to see you Bella,” Matt said. He clung to a blonde that looked familiar.

“You too Matt.”

“You remember Kelsey right?” he asked.

“I do. It’s great to see you again.”

“You too. I always wondered where you moved off to. You have a beautiful home,” Kelsey told her, throwing her blonde hair out of her face to reveal her crystal blue eyes.

Annabella smiled inside at the thought that Matt finally moved on. It was all she ever wanted for him.

“Thank you so much,” Annabella said.

“You’re welcome.”

“It’s nice to see you again too, Travis,” Matt told him as Travis came to stand next to her and linked his fingers with hers.

“You too. I mean that this time,” Travis joked as the two boys shook hands.

“Me too,” Matt said in a joking voice.

“So enough of this chit-chat, what are we all doing tonight?” Aubrey asked out of nowhere.

“Aubrey, we just got here. Can we get relaxed before we decide on what the hell we’re doing tonight?” Matt asked, in an annoyed voice.

“Seriously,” Kelsey responded as she gave Aubrey a death glare.

“Geeze, I was just asking.”

“Everyone calm down,” Ryan broke in as he went to the fridge and pulled out a coke.

“Ry, you seem to be the only one who needs calming down,” Annabella said as she looked at her brother. He hated crowed rooms, but the fact that the room was crowded with a bunch of girls he didn’t even like made it more uncomfortable to him.

“So do you guys want to go down to the café or something?” Travis offered, trying to play nice for Annabella.

“We can’t do anything yet. We’re still waiting on Aubrey’s boyfriend,” Chelsea’s said, in what seemed like a jealous tone.

“Who is this boyfriend?” Annabella asked, but before she could answer the front door opened and they were all faced with a familiar face.

“Nate,”  Chelsea finally answered minutes later.

Annabella’s entire body froze as the man came into the room. Every breath of air left her lungs and all she wanted to do was collapse on the floor as the man with blonde hair and blue eyes entered the room.

She stood in silence as everyone mingled around her. Aubrey raced to him and gave him a kiss on the lips. It disgusted Annabella to see it. She couldn’t breathe; she needed to get out of here.

Where was her sweater? She felt naked as she stood in short shorts and a tank top. How any of this could possibly be happening was beyond her. She wanted to die; it was like everything she worked on in that past few months just disappeared. Her thoughts began to darken, and she wanted to run in hide. She felt the stabbing in her heart as Travis put his hand on her shoulder, but it didn’t scare her.

She just wanted to leave, she
needed
to.

She wanted her safe zone with Travis back but in this moment it was ruined. She began to feel sick as he walked more into the room His eyes finally locked on hers. It was something she’d never forget. She could never forget the face of the man who took away her innocence when he raped her.

Twenty-Five

“Bella are you okay?” Travis asked, noticing how still she was. It was if she completely shut down. He followed her gaze to the guy who walked in but he couldn’t understand what was going through her mind.

She stood in silence, not saying anything. She couldn’t take her eyes off Nate. Her heart sank deeper into her chest as she realized he and Aubrey were walking toward her. She wanted to move, to be anywhere but here right now. She couldn’t bear to face him, not after all the progress she’d made with Travis.

“Sunshine, what’s the matter?” Travis asked again.

“Hey there little Anna,” Nate said with a smile that was only meant for her. It was a twisted little smile that said he knew he frightened her.

“Bella, you remember Nate right?”

“Baby, how could she forget me, she did date my brother,” Nate said.

“Not to mention you were always at my house,” Ryan cut in as he put an arm around his little sister, who flinched at his touch.

“You’re speechless,” Aubrey said to Annabella who felt like she was going to puke. It was only Travis who could tell something was wrong. “Travis, this is Nate, Nate this is Bella’s boyfriend Travis, since it doesn’t look like she’s going to introduce you.”

“Boyfriend?” Nate said, eyeing Bella.

“Yes, boyfriend. What’s it to you?” Travis asked.

“You just don’t seem like her type,” he responded.

“And how would you know her type?” Ryan asked.

“I don’t, I’m just saying. Matt is sweet, kind, warm and compassionate, and this kid seems the opposite of all that.”

“You don’t know him,” Ryan said. “He may be a bit rough around the edges, but this guy is definitely a keeper, isn’t that right Bella?”

Still silence. She couldn’t find her words. She wanted to lean into Travis and sob, but she wouldn’t give Nate that satisfaction. She wouldn’t let him see her broken. She refused. Travis tightened his grip on her hand as for comfort as she finally regained her strength.

“So, what are our plans for tonight?” Aubrey asked, repeating her question from earlier.

“Are you guys staying here?” Annabella finally asked, in hopes that they would be going to a hotel.

“Yeah, your parents said it was okay,” Aubrey answered. “Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, what are our plans?”

“I’m not sure what your plans are, but I just remembered that Travis and I have to go. His mom wanted us to have dinner with her, and it’s not something we can avoid,” Annabella lied, knowing that no matter what she said, Travis would back her up on it.

“Do you have to go?” Aubrey whined.

“I do. Will you tell Daddy I’ll call him later?” Annabella asked, turning to Ryan.

“Of course baby girl. Enjoy yourselves,” Ryan said just as Annabella ran up the stairs and closed her bedroom door, leaving Travis behind. She didn’t know how long she stood in her room before a pair of hands touched her shoulders. It was Travis.

“What the hell is going on?” Travis asked.

Annabella said nothing. How could she tell him that the man that raped her was downstairs? How could she tell him that she no longer felt safe in her home? She knew if she didn’t get out of here she was going to have a breakdown.

“It was him, wasn’t it?” Travis asked, putting the pieces together.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb with me. The man who raped you was Nate, wasn’t it?”

Sighing, she plopped down on her bed “How did you know?”

“Bella the minute he walked through the front door you completely shut down. I remember you told me the person who did this was not only your brother’s friend, but Matt’s brother. I put the pieces together. There was something in your eyes I’d never seen before. It was fear, a different kind of fear. You’re still afraid of him.”

“I don’t mean to be. I never told you, but he said if I ever told anyone he’d kill my parents and Ryan,” Annabella revealed.

“And you believed him?” Travis asked in disbelief.

She nodded “Travis, I’ve known him my entire life, and even more than that I trusted him. He hurt me in such a violent way. He betrayed the trust I had for him, and everyone else. If he could do that, then he’s capable of anything. I couldn’t risk them. I love them so much.” Annabella began to cry at the thought of Nate being downstairs.

“It’ll be okay, I swear I’ll kill him,” Travis said with anger in his voice.

“Travis, please don’t. I’m begging you don’t start anything. I don’t anyone to find out.”

“Why are you protecting him?”

“Because I don’t want them to be disappointed in me. I should have been tougher. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

“Look at me,” Travis demanded, crouching down to her level.

“Stop blaming yourself. You did nothing wrong. Okay? “

“Okay. Travis, why does this keep happening? we were doing so well. I can’t… And now, I don’t feel safe in my own home,” Annabella cried into his arms.

“Shhh. I know. It’ll be okay.”

“How? There’s no way I’ll be able to sleep tonight,” she replied, knowing that she couldn’t sleep with her rapist down the hall.

“You’ll be able to sleep tonight, because you’re not staying here. Pack a bag. Until they leave, I’m not letting you out of my sight, and you can stay with me,” Travis told her, as he went into her closet and pulled out a black duffle bag.

“Travis, I can’t stay with you,” she whispered.

“Why not?” he asked in disbelief. How she for one second could consider still saying here when that ass of a man was going to be down the hall was beyond him.

“I can’t impose on your life like that. I love you, I do but I can’t bring you into this.”

“Stop it! I’m a part of this now, because I love you. And you’re not going to push me out, not after everything we’ve been through. You said that you don’t feel safe here, so either you’re staying with me, or I’m staying here with you. And we both know that us staying here is a really bad idea for Nate’s face. Annabella couldn’t help but giggle at his last statement.

“Okay, I’ll come with you. But right now, can you just hold me?” Annabella asked, feel vulnerable.

“Of course. Come here sunshine.”

“I love you so much. I feel so exposed and naked. I just want my sweatshirt,” Annabella told him. She hadn’t worn it in months. She and Travis put it away together after he helped her work through her issues that caused her to wear it.

“You don’t need that. You’re beautiful. Don’t let him drive you back there, baby.” Travis begged her, he was going to fight for her. He was going to fight for her to keep her confidence that she worked so hard to build.

“Please don’t let him hurt me again. I don’t want him to be near me. Please don’t let him come near me.” She begged in a soft cry.

“I promise that I’m never going to let him hurt you again. Baby, I love you more than anything in this world.” Travis told her, framing her face between his hands “He’ll have to get through me if he wants to get to you.”

Letting out a breath of relief, Annabella let Travis hold her. They ended up on the bed and within minutes she cried herself to sleep. Travis held her for what seemed like forever. He listened to her sob and realized it was the most heartbreaking sound in the world. He hated the fact that Nate could still get to her, even after all the months. He hated that the son of a bitch was still walking around, as if it never happened. He watched her as she mumbled in her sleep and be began to feel his stomach twist. He said he wouldn’t go after Nate, but he couldn’t just let him get away with what he’s done. In that very moment Travis vowed to get Annabella the justice that she so much deserved. He wasn’t going to let this bastard get away with hurting the one person who mean everything to him. He’d pay for all the pain and suffering he caused her, if it was the last thing he ever did. He hated that The bastard was downstairs enjoying himself, yet Annabella was here, laying in his arms after crying so much that sleep gave in to her. It seemed unfair to him.

“Travis,” he heard Annabella whisper as she slowly began to wake up.

“I’m here,” he informed her as she sat up and leaned over the side of the bed.

“Thank you. Thank you for comforting me, and just being here. I didn’t mean to cry,” she commented as she got off the bed and put the empty duffle bag she still needed to pack on her bed.

“You don’t ever have to thank me for that. I’m always going to pick you up when you’re down and right now I just want to take all your pain away. Do you want to stay for a while or do you want to leave now?”

“Just get me out of here. “ She told Travis as she threw a week’s worth of clothes in to her bag.

***

Going back downstairs, everyone was mingled together in the living room. Annabella and Travis walked down hand in hand with the duffel bag in his free hand. Annabella walked in hopes that maybe no one would notice that. She knew once they saw her bag, there was no way she’d be able to make a clean break.

“Where are you going?” Aubrey asked, getting up from her spot and stopping them in their tracks. Ryan and Nate weren’t far behind.

“I told you Travis and I are having dinner with his mom.”

“Why do you have a bag?” Ryan asked.

“I can’t stay here, and I’m not going to explain why but I just can’t. I’m staying with Travis for the next week but tell Daddy that I’ll be back later tonight to explain everything to him.”

“What is wrong with you, Bella?” Aubrey asked her in an annoyed voice.

“Nothing is wrong with me Aubrey,” Annabella said, furious about the fact that Aubrey was dating her rapist, but the she couldn’t be upset with Aubrey, she didn’t know the truth.

“Then why are you leaving?” Aubrey asked, she had just gotten here and her best friend was leaving, what the hell was up with that?

“I need space from this house right now,” Annabella said. Aubrey couldn’t figure out what her problem was. All the statements that were coming out of her mouth were vague.

“What does that even mean, on the phone you were so elated that we were happy, and now you’re treating us like you did when we were here during summer, I mean why? “ Aubrey said in a dramatic voice

“I just need to go, okay, and frankly it doesn’t matter why. You’re here and that’s all that matters, I said I’d spend time you guys and I haven’t changed my damn mind about that. So just deal with the fact that I want to spend time with my boyfriend, just like you want to spend time with the one you didn’t tell me you were bringing!” Annabella yelled at her, just as the room became silence. All eyes were on her as she let her best friend have it.

“Is that what this is about? Nate?” Aubrey asked. Just the sound of his name made Annabella flinch “I thought you’d be okay with me dating him.”

“It has nothing to do with the fact that you’re dating him. You like him; if he likes you then more power to you. You just need to be careful,” Annabella said, not realizing that the warning had come out before it was too late.

“Why would I need to be careful? Nate would never hurt me. He’s the most loving guy there is out there,” Aubrey said as a light came into her eyes.

“Sometimes, the people you trust the most are the ones that hurt you the most,” Annabella responded, remembering how much she once trusted Nate until he betrayed her in the most violent way.

“What are you saying?” Aubrey asked.

“Just be careful,” Annabella told her, and before Aubrey could say anything else, Annabella led Travis out before she let the truth slip out. The last thing she needed was her best friend to accuse her of lying and she knew that was exactly what Aubrey would do.