just done. Instead, I washed my face and patted my cheeks and mouth with the towel in the bathroom. I remember staring into the mirror and looking at the reflection staring back at me with blurry eyes and wondering who this girl was with the split lip and bloodied mouth.

Why had I let him do that to me?

Why didn’t I react?

Why didn’t I hit him back?

After I had cleaned myself up, I came back into the bedroom. Gavin was sitting there staring into space and acted as if nothing had happened. He held me tightly and hugged me. He then kissed me on the side of the cheek where he had minutes previously hit me so hard. I must admit it stung when his face pressed against mine.

I didn’t