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Stolen Kisses Chapter 5 "There�s a face in the mirror and you close your eyes. Much easier to turn away than to take a look inside. So you�re thinking it�s over, walkin� away. Let your little world crash and burn, ooh what a price to pay..." The song hit much too close to home. Leaning over Heather switched the radio off. Turning it off doesn�t make it go away, a little voice in her head whispered. Shut up, she ordered but knew that it didn�t matter. Why didn�t she leave him? It was a question AJ asked often, both with words and expressions. She wasn�t sure she could stand on her own. It all came down to that. She wasn�t strong enough. AJ would help her she knew, but what did that mean? He brought her flowers, sang her songs, wrote her poetry, said he loved her. But so did Justin. Once upon a time, so did Justin. No, if she were to leave it would be on her own. She had to stand on her own before she stood with someone again. Her face dropped. She couldn�t. Despair washed over her, insults came from every direction. Whore. Stupid bitch. Slut. Dumb cunt. Good for nothing. There were more, so many more, all in that haughty, cold, hateful voice. Each one brought her to her knees, sobbing. "No!" she cried fiercely, suddenly, looking up savagely. What she saw surprised her. Flashing in her eyes was the same spirit that had lived there five years before. "I will NOT let him do this." She vowed, hissing. Hate welled within her. The motions were mechanical. Calling the cab. Packing. She only took what she herself had brought. All executed with cold efficiency. She paused for a moment, deciding whether or not to call AJ but decided against it. He loved her and she him, but she had been caught in that trap once before. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. True, they were different men and quite likely AJ would not treat her as Justin had. She might even see forever with him. But the heart was deceitful above all things and she would do better to trust herself. "What are you doing?" Justin asked when she walked into the living room, toting a suitcase. Heather turned to him with cold disdain. "You loved me once Justin. Or at least you led me to believe so. For four years now you�ve treated me like shit. I am a living, breathing person, not your dollar a flashy piece of jewelry you wear to make other men jealous. I have thoughts and opinions and emotions and, most importantly, a freewill. I�m leaving. Everything you ever bought me is still here. Do with it what you will." No tears sullied her statement. Giving him one last unreadable look she turned and walked out the door. He could do nothing but watch her go. |