I feel so mad when I get home, the tears fall freely as soon as I lock the door. How can he not see that it's not wrong for him to move on? He seemed so happy with the progress of our relationship that I truly believed our love was strong enough to face any problem. But again, life shows me I can't force someone to be with me and it hurts too much to know he is not even willing to try.

Because that's what I wanted; for
him to at least show me he's willing to move from the guilty and pain those pictures bring him.

Helpless, I grab my phone and head to the balcony. There is just one person who is always there for me, never judging and always respecting my choices. I call Lisa three times and I'm surprised when she doesn't answer. I always joke her phone is part of her body, so I'm sure she'll pick up.

When by the fourth time it goes straight to voicemail, I tell myself not to worry, but something in my gut is just not sitting right. I take a look at my old messages and see there is one from Greg I stopped listening to the moment I heard his voice. Not thinking twice, I press enter, remembering he said something about an emergency the last time he was trying to get in touch with me.

"Hey, it's me, Greg. I know you're ignoring me and that I really messed up... but... it's Lisa. Uh... She was seeing a guy and they were on a date, I think... Alexia, I think- I think he hit her. I was at her place and I saw some bruises.... she won't talk to me and she asked me not to call you. But I'm really worried about her, so... I don't know... If could just you call her or something..."

"Oh my God!" I try calling her again but it keeps going to voice mail. So not thinking twice, I call Greg.

He picks up after the first ring, "Alexia."

"What the hell is going on with her, Greg?"

"I really don't know! But I'm worried too. She was really shaken up when I saw her."

"I just tried calling her, but I think she turned her phone off... Who is this guy she is seeing? She hasn't talked about anyone with me."

"I don't know. She is- She won't talk to me." He sighs.

"God, I can't believe someone hit her! I'm calling my dad right now!"

"Alexia, calm down! She won't talk to me and I consider myself her friend. Do you really think she will talk to a cop?"

"He will know what to do." I rub my face, trying to process the fact someone actually hit my best friend.

"I know, but let's hear her first, okay?"

"She is not answering me and I'm really worried."

"Look, I'll stop by her place again now and see if she'll say something."

"Thanks, but I have to see her. Maybe I can get a flight later tonight. I just have to see her."

"All right. Just be careful and please let me know when you get here."

"Sure." I take a deep breath. "Thanks for letting me know and for taking care of her."

"Yeah... See you."

*****

I pack as fast as I can and two-and-a-half hours later I am landing home. I turn on my phone and try calling her again, but as I expected, her phone is still off. I get a cab and say a silent prayer that she is fine.

She lives a little farther from the city center, but her house is so cute she couldn't have found a better place to rent. I grab the keys she gave the day she moved in, and I smile when I look at the key chain. It's a pink glittery heart with the letters BFF engraved on it.

I knock on the door, afraid to startle her if I ring the bell. It's so late, she might be already sleeping. When after some minutes there's no answer, I let myself in.

"Lisa!" I turn on the living room lights and head to her room. "Girl, it's me." I open her bedroom door and I'm shocked at what I see.

Greg is sleeping on his back, with one of his arms behind his head. A sight I've seen hundreds of times before. The shocking part is to see Lisa lying by his side with her head on his chest. His arm possessively around her. They are both fully clothed, but my mind is having a hard time processing the fact that they're both sleeping in the same bed.

I think I make some kind of noise because Greg's eyes widen as soon as he sees me. "Alexia!" he shouts, waking up Lisa.

"What-" Lisa's eyes fall on me and then move to Greg.

"It's- I was- He is-" She gets up and holds my shoulders, forcing me to look at her.

And the moment I really look at her, I see something is seriously wrong.

She's got really deep dark circles under her eyes like she hasn't slept in days, and her wrists are purple like someone grabbed her hard. I take her hands and examine her entire body, and I can't believe my eyes. Someone had really hit her.

"What happened?" I whisper.

"We were just talking, and I was upset, and the last thing I know you were here and-"

"No!" I interrupt her, "What the hell happened to you?" I motion to her wrists.

"I..." Her eyes close as she gets what I'm really asking. "I really messed up this time." She cries and I can't help but hug her. I don't know how long we stay like that, but when I feel she is calmer, I pull away.

"Lisa?" I ask.

"I'll let you two talk." Greg heads to the door and Lisa turns to him.

"Thanks for tonight," she says, and they hold each other's gaze for a minute too long, making me wonder what kind of talk they are silently having.

"Sure." He clears his throat and looks from her to me. "Let me know if you need anything."

"Do we need wine for this talk?" I ask her as soon as he leaves.

"Hell yeah!" She chuckles, but I see the apprehension in her eyes. 

Something is definitely wrong.

_____

A/N: Thanks for reading! Your support means the world! <3

xoxo

-Celeste