Billy took her home a little while later. There was an awkward moment in the car when they were saying goodbye. Crystal went to kiss his cheek, he made the same move and they ended up kissing on the mouth. Crystal went quietly up to her room. She didn’t want her mom to see the swelling on her face from where Elijah had hit her. She still hadn’t told her mom anything. She went to bed early the night before and slept late. She turned on her radio and left her door open so she could hear the music while she showered.

Crystal stripped and got into the shower. She was crying now. She thought she had loved Elijah, but after he hit her all she felt was emptiness. Crystal was singing the words to the song that was playing. The song only made her feel worse.

He was still alive but Crystal felt dead. Why did he have to keep the underwear? Crystal soaped herself and let the hot water run over her body. She felt like she had been awake for days.

Crystal touched her face. It was still sore to the touch. Crystal sat down in the shower and let the water run over her. She couldn’t stop thinking of the things he told her, he loved her, wanted to be with her, and all this time he was thinking of Liv.

Crystal just wanted to slide down the drain with the water. She wanted to swirl around and disappear. There would have to be explaining tomorrow, when her mom asked where Elijah was. He had gotten into the habit of stopping over almost everyday.

Crystal stood and got out of the shower. Her skin was pink and splotchy from the hot water that had pour on her skin. She put on her favorite nightshirt and called Janna again. She got voice mail again. She left a message. "Janna it’s me, it’s over. Elijah is an ass. He hit me. Don’t worry I hit him back." Crystal hung up the phone and laid in her bed with the music still playing.

Crystal turned on her side and came face to face with the get-well teddy bear. She grabbed it roughly and opened her window. She threw the bear out and slammed the window shut.