Ali. She dragged me out of my depression and showed me how to love when I could only hate. Ali was always there, and I never realised how much I needed her until we met Jake. I had never found the courage to show her how grateful I was. To show her how much I loved her.
Jake was romantic, confident, and deceitful. He lied and cheated his way into her heart; pushing me out. She still talked to me just as she always did, but she acted so differently. I know what he did to her; his jealousy fuelling his violent rages. She once confided in me, gently explaining his callous actions. We sat in her room, cross-legged on her wooden floor when she exposed her bruised flesh.
"I hid a camera." Her voice was strong and confident.
She showed me the first few moments of film on her phone. I collapsed into her embrace, wishing my tears could heal her wounds.
"How can you love him Ali? What kind of monster..."
She silenced me with a forceful kiss. Her lips felt so good on mine. Even through tears I felt my desire for her growing, I needed her. She used the kiss to guide me onto my back.
"I can't leave him...I don't know how," her words caused the hairs all over my body to stand.
I stared into her eyes for a moment, I wanted to help her. I wanted Ali back.
"You can trust me Ali, I'll always be here."
I tugged her towards me by her shirt, catching a glimpse of her chest. The urge was stronger now; all I wanted was to stay here with her. Make her mine. I kissed her neck and relished the soft mew that escaped her lips.
I could sense her guilt but continued; the thought of Jake finding out about this was exhilarating. I pushed my body up against hers and let her feel my excitement. She grinned and started to move her hand down my chest, I felt her at my belt just as her phone rang. When she answered the unmistakable sound of Jake's drunken anger escaped the earpiece.
Ali immediately stood up and arranged her hair and clothing, as if he could see her, as if she was trying to pretend nothing was happening. I stood behind her caressing from her thigh to her waist. Closing my eyes I imagined her naked flesh in place of the material under my hands. I heard him call her 'filthy' and 'worthless'. My eyes shot open; I pulled the phone from her hands and ended their call. Without saying a word I dragged Ali to my car. She didn't question me. She knew where I was going.
"He is at Mike's house. Some party..." She went quiet and followed the raindrops on the car window.
My voice shook with anger and excitement. "I'll get him home; I don't want him driving like this again".
The car stayed silent and the way she avoided my eyes told me how aware she was of my real intentions. I parked away from the house and dragged the spitting, aggressive little shit towards the car. He finally realised who was pulling him and started to protest; I drove my fist into his stomach to shut him up for a while. He was barely able to walk and getting him into the back seat of my small car was no easy feat.
Ali didn't look at us, she just watched the other party-goers stumble and dance in the front garden of the house. When he drunkenly greeted Ali she dispassionately turned to pat his head. I casually walked around to the driver's seat and drove towards my small flat above a corner shop. I checked my watch periodically and reminded myself that the owners of the shop were away for a few days. When we arrived Ali gave me a confused look.
"He might as well stay at mine; I don't think your parents would appreciate him vomiting in your spare bed."
She giggled and helped me move his now snoring body up the cracked wooden stairs to my flat. We lay him on my sofa and jumped onto my bed holding each other. I gave Ali some water and watched her slowly drift off. Once she was under I crept into my living room where Jake was sprawled over the already stained sofa. I grabbed his legs, dragged him into my study and started to prepare.
