If My Heart Was A House

“Brielle, I didn’t mean that.” Adam says.

“Like hell you didn’t!” I yell at him.

“STOP YELLING AT ME!” Adam roars.

“STOP YELLING AT ME, you son of a...” I yell back at him.

“Get OUT!” He yells.

“FINE!” I yell back, walking through the back door.

He slams the door behind me, and I walk out into the trees. I wander through the woods, and come to a small hollow, made from rocks. I crawl inside, hugging my knees to my chest, and start to sob.

About an hour later, footsteps head toward my hiding spot, crunching twigs and leaves underfoot. A head appears in my vision, and familiar brown eyes stare at me.

“Brielle?” His voice is soft.

“Get away from me.” My voice is hoarse from crying.

“Brielle, I’m sorry. I never meant to say that.”

“Too bad I don’t care.” I growl.

“Just hear me out.” he pleads.

“Go away.” I mumble.

“But...”

“GO AWAY!” I shriek, slapping his hand away.

His eyes tear up, and he walks off into the woods, melting into the greenery. I run deeper into the woods as night falls, and drop down next to a pine tree. It starts to rain. I bawl all over myself, completely hating myself for yelling at Adam. I cry for hours, soaked to the bone, and the rain recedes.

“I’m sorry!!” I wail to the darkening skies.

I try to find my way back to the house, but get lost quickly.

“Adam!” I sob. “ADAM!!”

I bawl again when he doesn’t come, and I shiver violently as the cold air nips at my skin.

“I’m sorry, Adam! Please, I need you!” I cry.

Midnight comes and goes, and I hear twigs crunch in the distance.

“Adam.” I wail, long and low.

The twigs crunching sounds closer.

“Adam.” I whisper, breaking down again.

“I’m here, sweetheart, don’t cry.” He says.

I look up and see Adam kneeling before me, his eyes filled with sorrow. I collapse into his arms, bawling and shaking. His arms wrap around me, pulling me closer, and I cling to him, nuzzling his chest.

“I’m sorry Adam please don’t be mad I didn’t mean to hit you I love you...” I babble out.

I look up as one hand leaves my back, and see Adam with his hand raised, poised to slap me.

“P-please...” I whisper, scooting away. “Don’t hurt me. I’m sorry, I never meant any of it, I love you, please!” I beg, shielding my face with my hands.

Adam looks confused for a moment, but it quickly changes to hurt and sadness.

“Oh, Brielle. I wasn’t going to hit you!” He exclaims, taking my hands.

I cry more, and feel Adam pull me back to him. His hand touches my hair, and he strokes it as I bawl into his chest. He holds me close, and kisses my head. I choke over my cries, and look up at him. His hand caresses my cheek.

“I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad.” I whimper.

“I’m not mad. Brielle, I never meant to say that to you. I’ve just been having a bad day, and took it out on you. I’m so sorry, Brielle. I never meant to make you cry.” He says, his voice soft. I can see unshed tears in his eyes as he says this, and his eyes are red-rimmed, like he recently cried.

He wipes the tears off of my face with his thumb, and gets up, shrugging his leather jacket off. He drapes it around my shoulders, and helps me get my arms through the sleeves. We hug again, me clinging to him, him holding me close while cooing in my ear.

“A-aren’t you co-cold?” My teeth chatter.

“I’ll live.” He replies. “Come on, now. Let’s get you home.”

He lifts me off of the ground bridal-style, and I wrap my arms around his neck. I look up at his handsome face, seeing how his hair fell across his face, touching his glasses.

I cuddle closer to him as he carries me through the forest, and I nuzzle him, wanting comfort.

He walks through the woods, and we soon arrive at the back door, which he has left open. He carries me inside, and up the stairs, setting me down in my bedroom.

“Why don’t you get cleaned up? I’ll be downstairs.” He says, exiting the room.

I grab the wolf pj’s he bought for me, and head into the bathroom, starting the water in the shower. I sigh, and clean quickly, drying off and combing out my hair. I pull on the pj’s, and Adam’s leather jacket, and tiptoe down the stairs. I look to Adam, and then the clock. It’s 2:05 AM, and I’m soon overcome with exhaustion. My knees buckle, and I feel arms around me, holding me upright. I groan softly, and fall back into Adam’s warm body.

“Steady.” He whispers. “Tired?”

I yawn.

“Okay, let’s get you to bed.” He murmurs, picking me up and carrying me upstairs. He clicks the lights on in my bedroom, and sets me down. I peel off his jacket as he folds back the bed sheets. My legs don’t want to work, and he notices, coming over to gently pick me up, and lay me down in bed. He tucks me in, kissing my head.

“Sweet dreams, Brielle. I’ll see you in the morning.” Adam clicks the light off, and starts to head to the door.

“N-no, Adam, please, don’t go!!!!! I need you!!!!!!” I wail, starting to cry again. He stops, rushing over to me and holding me close.

“Oh, Brielle, don’t cry. I’m not going anywhere if you don’t want me to.” He murmurs. “Shh now, it’s okay, I’m here.”

I sniffle, trying to form words but failing miserably. “A-a-ad... s-s-sor-sorr... l-l-lo-lo-lov...”

“Shhh, Brielle, shhh. Hush now, darling.” He whispers, picking me up and setting me on his lap.

He holds my upper body securely with one arm, caressing my cheek with his other hand as he tips my face up to look at his. His eyes are filled with love and care, his expression patient, his touch gentle.

“I will always love you, no matter what.” He whispers.

“L-lo-love y-you t-t-too.” I manage through my tears.

He gently rocks me back and forth, cooing and murmuring hushed words to me as he quiets my plaintive cries. He wipes the tears from my eyes with his thumb, gently laying me down in my bed again. I cling to him, willing him to stay.

“You want me to stay?” He asks.

I nod, pulling his hands.

“Alright.” He sighs, laying down with me.

“Mad?” I ask, my voice shaky.

“No, I just hate seeing you upset. Are you going to be able to sleep?” He asks.

I nod, yawning.

“Okay, sweetheart. Why don’t you try to get some sleep then.” He says, putting his arm around my shoulders. I look up at him, and he smiled, kissing my forehead. I move my head to his chest, resting it over his heart and putting an arm across his belly. He turns me toward him, and gently rubs my back, making me drowsy. I start to drift off, but jerk as my mind is filled with images of Adam hurting me.

“What’s wrong?” He asks.

“Nothing.” I whisper. “Just... well...”

“Are you nervous because you thought I was going to hurt you earlier?” He asks.

I nod.

“It’s okay, Brielle. You’re always going to be safe in my arms. I will never lay a finger on you, okay?”

“Okay.” I sigh.

“Now, let’s get some sleep, darling. Sweet dreams.” He murmurs.

“Sweet dreams.”

We cuddle closer, and drift off into our dreamlands in each other’s arms.