Tugs at Both Ends
Dark Ties
Dark Ties chapter 8
Tiffany P.O.V
Trust me.
She said it with such confidence. Trust? Was that word every been said to me before? Not that I've remembered. I didn't trust anyone and they shouldn't trust me either. My words are never the truth. Tonight was a first. The truth was frightening, it was dark and not to be heard of or experienced by anyone other then myself. The truth hurt.... A lot.
Every time the insults rain, I try to remain silent, every time the beatings erupted, I kept it in. People noticed and at first, I told them the truth. They didn't believe me. That should have been enough, but no. They spread the news. I became little miss abandon in matter of days. The teasing began. Somehow, news spread all the way to the 'monsters'.
That night was horrible. It was weird how the nightmare was etched in my mind and yet, I was barely conscious the whole way through. The only clear thing that echoed through the entire experience was the pain, the blood and my screams. It was a stick and a belt. "How dare you tattle on your own parents!" Another whizz though the air and the belt came down hard on my legs. "Do you not believe that you deserve all this?" another blow to the back. Red crimson liquid seep through the cuts. "You deserve all this. This isn't abuse, this is retribution. You should have never been here in the first place," a hard blow of the leather belt to my head. I fell, not daring to whimper. The pain engulfed me into darkness.
The next day, I found myself at the exact same spot. The cuts no longer bled but dried blood caked my entire body. The house was empty, quiet. It was only then, I broke down in tears. Stephanie cried, cried for her siblings, cried for God, cried for her parents that once loved her. Tiffany took the pain in silence. Tiffany's facade grew hard and emotionless. Another scar to add to the jar. This was the moulding of Tiffany's nature and the ending of Stephanie's.
The next day at school, Tiffany lied, saying she fell off her bicycle. Her first lie. No one suspected a thing but every body saw the change in the bubbly girl. Her stone hard face, her cold stare and the sharp edge in her voice. The lies helped. Tiffany slowly created her own image. A mask for all to see. But beneath the bright girl held a woman, strong, cold and cruel. Stephanie was only to her parents. Tiffany was what lived under that weakling.
How I ended up breaking down in front of Taeyeon, I didn't know. But all that mattered was the warmth she gave, as she my hair, as she rubbed tiny circles on my shoulder and down my back. I snuggled closer, my tears socking her shirt. She soothing words filled my ears. Her voice calm and gentle. My arms s around her waist, hugging her closer. My face tucked between her neck.
"It hurts Taeyeon. Hurts so much," it surprised me how easy easily I admitted my pain. She lifted my face with a finger, making me stare into those beautiful brown orbs.
"Don't ever hide your pain from me again. I won't allow it," the fierceness in her eyes as she said that brought me comfort. Why do you make me feel so weak? Why do I want to fall into your arms every time I see your eyes or feel your soft touches? The sparks between us was undeniable. But neither of us was daring enough to take the first step.
She brought her hand to the back of my head, bringing it slowly towards her chest. "Tell me when you're ready. I'll wait,". Together we sat there, embracing each other, our breathing in sync. Both of us don't know what this foreign feeling is but neither wanted to let go. No one was there to witness the intimate moment. Only the moon and stars look down upon this blossoming friendship. A friendship that might turn out to be something more.
By the time we left the place, it was eight. The drive back to my place was quiet. Her hand never left mine. The car came to a stop in front of my house. The dim lights inside informed me of my parents return. Taeyeon got off the car to send me off.
"Thank you for today Taeyeon. I really enjoyed it. See you tomorrow," she smiled as she got back into the car.
"I really enjoyed myself too. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night," she started the car. I bowed in thanks as the car drove off before turning away, and walked right back into reality.
"I'm back," I said but it turned out barely above a whisper. The Stephanie in me was scared to the bone, scared of the inevitable. My parents didn't utter a word but a glance at the empty dining table, and I knew I was not having any dinner. This was one of the best circumstances. Going hungry was actually a gift. Way better then the other things they do to me. I quickly walked over to the stairs, intending to stay in my room, least the monsters came out to play.
"Who was that girl Stephanie?" my mother's voice echoed through, just as I set a foot on the stairs. I froze cold. Not daring to speak, not trusting myself to look into those eyes. "Was she a friend?" the cold edge in her voice sent shivers down my spine. But apparently, she was in a good mood. Usually the questioning took place in the middle of torture, at least this was still talk. I muttered a quick prayer. "Answer me Stephanie," I slowly nodded. Stephanie can't lie to her parents, never could and never will have the guts to.
The swift movement in the air informed of me of her approach. It wasn't long before I felt her cold hands at my neck. "What did I tell you Stephanie? You don't deserve to have friends," I stiffened but didn't reply. That hurt, but I didn't have the strength nor the courage to rebut. "Break off your relationship with her immediately. I don't want to hear anything regarding you and her ever again," the hand tightened, threatening.
I...I..." I stammered, not able to make out a coherent sentence. My heart beat hard in my chest. My mind in a whirl, how can I give up the person who might mean something to me? She... She's the only one that understands. I can't give her up... I just can't. But in front of my parents I was just a weak Stephanie nothing more.
"Or else I would just have to do it my way... I'm sure you remembered that little girl... The one that got sent away, just because her parents are too afraid of the both of you hanging out together. Because I enlightened them with your dark secrets. You don't want that to happen to this new girl do you?"
Memories swarmed my mind.
That girl was my best friend. She stood up for me, she fought my battles. At that time I was still that weak little girl. She showed me how to be strong. The monsters found out of our little friendship. They approached her parents, sprouting out terrible stuff about me that wasn't even true. Both sides unable to convince the other to break off the friendship. As a last resort, her parents having the means to, shipped her off to Korea the following week. I never saw her again.
Thinking of her brought a dull ache to my heart. I don't want that to happen to Taeyeon.
"No... I don't," I muttered, new tears formed around my eyes, threatening to fall any moment. I held it in. "Then you know what to do," the cold hand left my neck, as soft footsteps echoed behind as she went back to the couch. I stood there motionless, processing the new task at hand. My heart screamed 'no' but my mind was set on completing it. At least I would still be able to see her. I trudged up the steps and entered my room, closing the door behind me.
I slid down to the floor, the tears streaking down my face as I stared out at nothing. The tears flowed, making define lines on my cheeks to my chin. They tasted bitter, not salty. It hurt, so bad. My heart ached. I don't want to lose her. Why must they make me suffer all the time? I didn't stop myself as my hand reached over to open a drawer, only to take out a penknife. The silver metal shone under the dim lights.
Need to take the pain away. Tiffany was in control now. She knew how to take the pain in my heart away. I brought the cold metal down on my forearm. I slide it across the flesh, the sharp pain distracting me from the one in my heart. Thick crimson red liquid slowly flowed out, down my hand. I rest myself against the wall, watching the blood flow out, thick and dark. That's better. It dripped down my arm, creating a small puddle of red on my bed room floor. The wound will heal and close up over the night. But the one in my heart won't.
Taeyeon, I'm sorry. There's something special between us but I don't have the courage to chase after it. The monsters are stronger than me. I have no choice. Please forgive me.
Darkness engulfed me as my eyes fluttered shut, due to sleep or the intense pain I don't know.
A.N
Hi guys! I promised a chapter and here it is! This chapter is another insight of Tiffany's past and her pain. It also shows the distinct difference between Stephanie and Tiffany.
Here are some profiles of the characters:
Taeyeon : She has known Tiffany as a schoolmate for a year or so but never did have any excuse to get close to her. So if you think they're moving too quickly, I don't think so. Taeyeon for some reason always did feel protective over Tiffany just that she never showed it. It was only after their tutoring sessions did she finally reveal this side to Tiffany.
Yuri : She hasn't yet make a major appearance, but she did however appear in the beginning of chapter one. She will make on soon, I promise! She's been Tiffany's desk mate for a year. A friend to Tiffany but Tiffany's trust issues made her stay a distance away from the girl. Yuri cares for Tiffany as a friend and she does know something wasn't quite right with the girl but she never had a chance to ask.
Something else for you guys to think about, the girl. Who is she?
Oh and do you guys want in the future? Vote in the comments please!
Do comment! Love to hear your thoughts on the chapter!
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