Take Me Back to Start

Waking up in the hospital was familiar. The lights were still too bright, the walls too white, and the bed wasn’t any more comfortable than the last time Jolie had been there. The doctors and nurses still came and went updating her as they did. This time was much worse. Last time was mostly bruising, but this time she had some broken bones. Two ribs were broken and her arm was sprained. The big difference this time, she was alone. Her dad wasn’t coming. She had made sure that the hospital didn’t notify him. She couldn’t let him come see her here again.

Nurse Sondra tried to convince Jolie to press charges, but Jolie never agreed. She insisted she was okay. The nurse couldn’t bear to look at the small, beaten girl in the hospital bed. She barely said a word for her entire stay, even when the pain got bad. They had her on painkillers, but she never asked for any more. All the nurses and doctors had seen enough abuse cases to be able to spot this one a mile awhile, especially since it hadn’t been that long since Jolie was last in the hospital. Nurse Sondra kept asking to press charges, probably more than she should have, but the small girl would just give her a forced smile promising she would be okay.

When Jolie was finally being discharged, Nurse Sondra asked her if anyone would be picking her up. Jolie told her she would take a cab home. As much as the nurse wanted to argue, she had to accept it. The discharge papers were signed and prescriptions made. With only a little struggle, Jolie walked out of the hospital and down the road. Nurse Sondra silently prayed that the next time she saw the young woman, it wasn’t in a body bag.

Meanwhile, Jolie didn’t go back to the apartment. She wandered down the road even though she was still sore. She was pushing herself, but it was pain she was used to. Physical pain she could deal with. Nobody paid any attention to the injured girl pressing through the crowd. She thought back to how last time she left with her father by her side. Now, she had missed calls from him and unopened texts. She couldn’t reply to him out of guilt. He was alone in that big house that he raised her in. She left him behind just like she left anyone. Did she deserve happiness when she could just leave the people she loved behind like they were nothing?

Jolie’s thoughts were a whirlwind of contradictions. She could see the reality of the situation she found herself in, but also kept herself blind to it. Somewhere in her head, she knew she had to leave Alex if she wanted to live. At the same time, she also felt like everything was her fault and she just made it hard for him to love her. Last time she tried to leave, she wasn’t strong enough to stay away. What would make this time any different? The minute Alex had contacted her, she fell for him again. How would she stay away? It was like a toxic addiction. She had no clue how to quit it.

A sigh escaped Jolie’s lips as she looked around herself while she walked. She hated LA. The buildings were still unfamiliar despite living here for three years. She felt like there was no go to place for her or any escape. There were millions of people living in LA, but nobody that stood out for her. She glanced at the passing faces and saw nothing. They were just passing people. There was no connection to anyone. In the moment, she realized how alone she was. Outside of Alex, she had absolutely nobody, not a single friend in LA. Alex made sure of that.

Stopping in the middle of the sidewalk, Jolie made up her mind. A couple people pushed past her, so she moved to the side next to a random building. She pulled out her phone scrolling through her contacts until her finger landed on the person she needed. When the familiar voice answered the phone, Jolie’s voice cracked as she said, “Matt? I think I need your help.”

Two hours later, Jolie was sitting on a bench in a local park. She had her knees pulled up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. She stared off into the distance not focusing on anything at all. She was lost in her head when Matt sat down next to her on the bench. He was quiet at first glancing off in the direction that she was. Finally, she glanced up at him biting her lip. “Thank you for coming,” She murmured feeling anxious. Even though she called him and he agreed to come, she didn’t know how he felt about her. She assumed he was angry, but his face didn’t show that at all. His face was soft and he gave her a small, dimpled smile.

“Remember when I promised you I’d protect you? Well, I don’t break my promises. I’m sorry I was too late though to really help,” Matt said genuinely. Jolie didn’t understand how he could just forgive everything she had done. With hesitation in her movements, she slid closer to him. She looked up with him as if asking if her actions were okay as she leaned into him. Matt gave her a small nod and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Instead of leaving or even talking, the two old friends just sat on the bench, in the park, for a while longer.

“Don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong. I never should have left you again. Not the first time and not this time. I’m so sorry,” Jolie mumbled softly.

“You don’t have to apologize either. We’re together now. It’s going to be okay,” Matt said confidentially. Jolie just hoped he was right.

Finally, the pair knew that they had to get Jolie’s things before they could go. Matt was hesitant to take her back at all, but she promised she’d do her best to be quick. They both silently hoped that Alex wouldn’t be home, but luck wasn’t on their side. When they pulled up to the apartment, Jolie saw his car. Matt insisted on coming up with her. There was no way he’d let her do this alone. As much as she wanted to assure him that she could do this herself, she knew it was better if he came.

Jolie led the way and let herself into the apartment. Alex was sitting on the couch with a beer in hand along with three empty ones on the coffee table. He looked up and smiled when he saw her, until he noticed Matt right behind. “What the fuck is he doing here?” Alex coughed as he climbed to his feet in surprised.

Matt took a step forward with his hand out. “Sit the fuck down. Here’s what’s about to happen. Jolie is going to get her things and you aren’t going to move an inch. She’s leaving you. This time for good. You’re fucking lucky we don’t press charges against you,” he growled at the other man without hesitation. Jolie was already tense and dropped her gaze to the ground. “Jo, go ahead to collect your things. If your bag is heavy, I’ll come get it, okay? Don’t hurt your ribs or wrist,” he added trying to sound a bit gentler with her. She nodded her head and hurried to the bedroom.

“Who the hell do you think you are talking to me like that? She’s my girlfriend. You have no opinion on our relationship and she’s sure as hell not leaving me,” Alex raged right back. He turned towards the bedroom making a step that way, but Matt stepped in front of him again.

“Jolie! Are you seriously listening to this asshole?” he called down the hall.

“I’m the asshole?” Matt asked in disbelief, “Do you even love her, man? Like honestly, do you love her? Because as far as I know, you don’t fucking hurt the ones you love. You do everything in your power to protect them.”

Alex rolled his eyes as Matt spoke and didn’t even look over at him. He kept his eyes locked on the door to the bedroom. Jolie was happy that she kept two of her bags packed from the last time she left. She pulled the third bag out filling it up quickly. She didn’t want to take her time. The longer the two men were in the living room together, the more likely it would be that they would fight.

“Matt! Can you come get my bag for me, please?” Jolie called out. With a last glare at Alex, Matt headed into the bedroom. He picked up the three bags and gestured for her to follow him out. He walked through the door, but Alex pushed her up back into the room.

“Are you going to let him fuck you like you were going to let Trevor?” Alex snapped right away with anger in his eyes. Matt slammed him against the wall demanding that the other man get away, but Alex stopped struggling. He kept his eyes locked on Jolie though.
Jolie just squirmed under Alex’s glare. “I-I didn’t want it…Trevor forced himself…I said no…I-I told him to stop…” she mumbled just loud enough for both men to hear her. Matt’s grip on Alex lessened as he heard his friend’s soft words. Though she hadn’t told him anything about what happened, he could figure it out from there. All he wanted was to hold her in his arms and tell her it would be okay, but he restrained himself.

“You don’t have to explain yourself, Jo. Head outside, okay? I’ll grab the bags and follow behind you,” Matt offered gently. Jolie focused on his words as he spoke and nodded her head. She picked up one of the bags and headed outside. Alex tried calling for her, but she kept her head straight. She could do this, or at least that’s what she tried to tell herself.
Meanwhile, Matt turned back to Alex with a glare. “You’re going to let her walk away and leave her alone,” he told the other man leaving no argument to be made.

Alex just smirked at the bigger man and shrugged. “I won’t need to do anything. She’ll come back all on her own. I barely sent one text before she came running last time,” he said easily. Matt shook his head as he pulled his fist back and punched Alex in the jaw. Alex dropped to the floor grabbing his jaw, but Matt just grabbed the bags. He kicked Alex twice more before grumbling to himself. Without another glance in the disgusting man’s direction, he grabbed Jolie’s bags. Then, he walked right outside joining her in the car.

Most of the car ride back to Huntington Beach was quiet. Matt turned the radio on softly and focused on the road. Jolie was lost in thought, but the closer to Huntington they got, the more nervous she became. “Matt?” she questioned drawing his attention to her, “Be honest with me. How mad is everyone?” The question came out in a little voice. He thought she sounded like she did when she was in elementary school and she knew she was in trouble with Scott.

“Nobody is mad at you, Jo. I can promise you that. They’re just going to be happy you’re actually back this time. Jimmy was so excited when you called him the other day and Val was glad when I told her you called me today. Johnny and Zacky have been worried since you left,” Matt told the other girl truthfully, just leaving out a bit.

Jolie caught on to the one person Matt was leaving out straight away. “Brian is upset though. He took it so badly when I left. I can’t imagine he’d ever forgive me,” she murmured.
Matt sighed a little bit and rubbed a hand down his face before placing it back on the wheel.

“You’ve known Brian long enough to understand him. He’s not mad. He’s just…hurt. You know what I mean? Brian just doesn’t know how to deal with his emotions in the best way. I think he’s more upset at himself for not being able to protect you, rather than being mad at you. None of this is your fault,” he gently tried to explain.

Jolie simply nodded her head and looked out the window. They were almost home.

Notes

We've come full circle, but this time things have changed. Or has it? Thank you everyone for your comments! The support has made me so happy and excited to continue this story!