The Fractured Truth
922 Words
"What are those markings on your back?"
I sigh. I hoped he wouldn't ask that question.
"I don't wanna talk about it." I say in a low voice.
"Come on. You can trust me." He says being too persistent.
"Just leave me alone please." I tell him getting very irritated.
"Why won't you tell me? It can't be that ba--"
"I said just leave me the hell alone! I don't wanna talk about it. And even if I did it certainly wouldn't be with you." I blew up more than I meant to.
I could tell that I hurt him, because he just kinda sat there with his attention focused on his twisted fingers.
"Plus, I don't even know your name." I say more calm like.
"Zac. Zac Williams." He said walking out.
SLAM!!
I jump at the door slamming behind him. I sigh. I can't believe I'm about to do this.
"Wait!!"
"What? You gonna yell at me again?"
"Well, Zac, I wouldn't have yelled at you if you would have just left it alone. So you brought that on yourself. But I am sorry for the way I yelled at you. If you really want to know what happened, meet me at the gym in about 1 hour."
"What's wrong with your place?"
"Nice try bucky but no."
"Fine. Whatever."
Well, the only other person who knows about my past is my best friend. I can't believe I'm about to tell a total stranger. What's wrong with me?
...
One hour later at the gym....
I arrive at the gym, extremely nervous for what I'm about to tell him.
I walk in, and he's sitting on a bench reading one of the crappy magazines they leave out for old people.
"How's the magazine?"
"You mean the 2 year old piece of junk I'm reading? Not great."
"Haha well that's usually what old people magazines are like."
"You ready to tell me what those markings on your back are?" He asked. No hesitation to get right to the point. Shocking.
"No. But you won't ever let it go so why not?"
I turn around, and take off my shirt leaving only my jeans and sports b*a on. All of my tattoos show.
"Wow. Beautiful tattoos." He said running his hand over my back. I jump at his touch.
"But why did you cover up the scars underneath?"
"Because they are less easy to spot when people look." I say still feeling his hand on my back.
"What happened to your back?"
"Most of that came from my dad. He got mad one night, and slashed me with a knife. He also beat me with a belt, and some bullies at school made some of those too." I explained trying my hardest not to cry. "A few nights later, my dad killed my sister."
I turn around to face him, and he's in tears.
"What's wrong?" I can't believe I actually care right now. Wtf??
"Nobody should have to go through that. I'm so sorry." He said through sobs.
"Well I'm sorry my story doesn't fit your perspective of a perfect family, but that's the fractured truth. Why do you care anyways?"
"Because I-- I-"
"You..."
"I think I really like you."
I look up at him in shock and amazement. Did he just say what I think he said? I take a few steps back.
"No. You can't. You can't like me."
"Why not?" He said coming closer.
"You just can't. Got it? You just can't."
I put my shirt back on, and walk out to my car. And of course he follows.
"Please just tell me why!" He said storming out.
"Fine. You wanna know why? Because every relationship I have been in has been ruined because of me. Every person that I have been close to has been torn apart because of me. I distance myself from people so they don't get into my mind. I have only relied and focused on one thing and that's boxing. The only person who has ever stuck with me through my hell has been my best friend, and I even expect her to leave me one day even though she says she won't. I don't feel like hurting any more people than I already have, so just leave me alone. I told you about my past, and that's all you need to know about me, and that's all you will ever know about me. So if you don't mind, Zac, I need to go now."
I get in my car, and put it in gear. But before I can pull away, he steps in front of the car.
"What are you doing?" I asked very frustrated.
He looks at me and smiles. "You are very cute when you're frustrated. Oh, and by the way, hurting me is only a risk factor. It's not fate."
He steps out of the way, and I go home. When I get in my driveway, I sit and think about what he says.
"It's only a risk factor. It's not fate." But it's bound to happen so technically it is fate.
But what if he's right?
WTF?? I don't even like the guy! I slam my hands on the steering wheel, and head inside.
I eat dinner, and go to bed. But I get no sleep. I can't stop thinking about what he said. What if he's right? What does he know? He doesn't know anything about me. Why do I care so much anyways?
I finally drift off to sleep when my brain stops fighting with itself, but still don't get much sleep.
- Writer
