"I- I don't know yet. He hasn't said anything." Iv told Lola about what happened, anxiously pacing around the room.

"You didn't ask?"

"He was in such a rough condition so I told him to take a shower." She moved her hair over her shoulder, a gesture she'd always do when she was nervous.

At the sound of the bathroom door opening, Iv looked over. "I gotta go, I'll keep you posted."

"Alright, bye doll."

"Bye L." She hung up the phone as Noah walked in. A small yet comforting smile grew on her face as he walked over. "Hey.."

His expression was tired and fallen, a look that kept shattering her heart. "Hi..."

"Do the clothes fit you okay..?" Iv had found some clothes that her brother accidentally left here the last time he visited, the messy idiot.

Noah nodded, sitting beside her. "I... I'm sorry I didn't text you beforehand... It's just- I-I just..."

"It's fine, Noah... Don't worry about it..."

He stared at her for a few seconds before letting out a heavy sigh. Though he finally broke up with Alexa, there was still a large weight on his shoulders.

Iv noticed how tense he was, the bruises now clear on his face. "... nah I ask what happened..?"

Thoughts clouded his mind, but he nodded at her question, trying to place all his thoughts into understandable sentences. She waited patiently until he turned to look at her.

"F-for you to understand, I need to explain from the very start.."

She nodded in understanding as Noah fiddled with his fingers, his gaze hazy at the memories.

"It all started two months after I turned 20, I met this girl as I walked to one of my classes.. It didn't take long until we starting hanging out, and then it led to dating.."

Iv couldn't help the small bit of jealousy that grew in her chest; she always felt this way whenever she thought of Noah with his girlfriend. Of course, she never showed it.

His expression then grew cold, distant. "As time went on, she began putting more rules on me.. She wouldn't let me see my family, she forced me to stop seeing my friends, she took me out of school, out of my job, and when I tried to speak my mind, she'd get angry.. At first it was just yelling and arguing, but.. her anger soon became physical.."

The shirt he wore exposed his arms, showing her all the scars. Her eyes widened in realization when she looked down at them, then back at his face. "She did this to you..?"

He nodded, gaze still focused on his hands.

She thought for a moment, the jealousy turning into pure hatred, what kind of person would do such a thing?!

"She's the cause of these new bruises too..?" Noah nodded at her question, biting his lip we he tried to hold in tears.

"The only place that I could be at was Stargazed.. And when she found out about how you took me to your place that night, she got angrier.." he looked at his friends, his eyes glassy in tears. "So I've been hanging out with you without her knowing.."

"That does help me understand some of your paranoid behavior.."

He nodded, letting her know her assumptions were right. "... she found out about my birthday party a-and... I lost it..."

"Huh..?"

"She started beating me again, and then she-... she brought you in the conversation..."

Iv stared at him, confused to what he meant. He only tightened his grip on his hands. "Sh-she started calling you naked and I- ai couldn't stand it..! I yelled at her and finally told her what I thought, then I broke up with her and ran away from my apartment.. Y-you were the only person I thought of going to.."

Iv could only stare wide eyed when he finished his story; she felt anger towards Alexa, sorry that Noah had to go through such a traumatic experience, and worst of all, guilt that she didn't found out sooner to help him.

After a few seconds of silence, she raised her arms a bit, offering a hug. Noah looked at her, unable to hold his tears in anymore as he hugged her tightly, and she didn't hesitate to hug back.

They remained in each other's arms for what felt like a peaceful eternity. Her touch, her warmth, it was all so comforting. His head rested on her shoulder as she rested her head on his, softly petting his hair.

"I know you've been through a lot, and I don't have much to offer.. but I'll try to help you in any way I can.."

Noah couldn't help but snuggle closer, making her cheeks grow pink. "I know..."

"How about we go to the police tomorrow..? You can tell them what you told me.."

He grew a bit pale, staying quiet for a while. "Do you think they'll believe me...?"

"It won't hurt to find out..."

In the end, he agreed, nodding at her. Iv gave him a comforting smile, and he returned a small one.

A thought soon came to her mind. "Is there anyone you want to talk to..?"

"What do you mean...?"

"Call your parents about this.."

Noah looked down, shaking his head. "I-I don't know, Iv... I haven't talked to them in a while..."

"Then I think they'll like hearing your voice.."

"... maybe... But not right now..."

Iv nodded in understanding at his reply, and they stayed in the silent room for a while.

An idea popped in his head, one that made his cheeks grow pink. "I-Iv...?"

"Yeah..?"

"Can we stay like this all night...? I just... feel a lot safer..."

Iv's cheeks were dusted pink, but gave him a nod. "If that's what you want.."

A small smile grew on his face, snuggling against her neck, his eyes closing at her warmth, both of them falling asleep.

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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