I'm Lost Without Your Warmth

A few days later I am forced to stay the night at Oliver’s house. Jake had thrown a drunken tantrum and stolen my keys and kicked me out of the apartment. I called Oliver crying. I was a blubbering mess trying to explain what happened but eventually he just told me he was coming to pick me up and hung up. I could still hear Jake smashing things, throwing cans, and just being angry. I guess I should be happy he kicked me out before he did anything to me.
Now I sit on the edge of Oliver’s bed while I wait for him to come back with extra clothes for me. Oh yeah, Jake also tore my clothes when he got drunk enough to try and seduce me. When I refused he just tore and tore then I ran away. That’s why he got so angry.
It’s actually quite awkward for me. I’m supposed to be this band’s leader and organizer but here I am relying on Oliver to help me. I should be helping him. Ever since I became their band manager I honestly have only been a burden.
“Arumi?” Oliver’s voice cuts through my thoughts and I look over at him. A small pile of clothes sit on his tattooed hands and his eyes look sad. I get off the plush bed and walk over to him, hoping my clothes aren’t too revealing. I take the clothes from him and thank him. He closes the door but stays in the bedroom. I look at him, I'm confused.
“Do you need something Oli?” I ask him and walk back to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Why do you stay with him? All he does is hurt you.” Oliver sits next to me and I think over the blunt question. I really don’t know why, but I think I’m just scared.
“I’m scared Oliver,” I mutter and look down at the clothes lying on my lap.
“Why,” He asks me. This is such a simple question but it begs for a complex answer.
“He’d get angry. But worse than tonight. I didn’t even do anything, or I think I didn’t. He always drinks though. Right when he gets home, I make him food, we eat, he drinks until dawn. It’s a routine for me and him. I just can’t get up and leave Oliver,” I say. I try my best to avoid the fact he’s abusive. I’ve never told anyone and I never am going to.
“Yes you can. You can kick him out, or you can move out. You have enough money to find a new apartment. Even if you don’t you could stay at my place if he kicks you out or you need to stay away from him. I’m not going to lose you again Ari.”
“I don’t want to leave you again either Oliver. I was honestly just so stupid to-“
“It’s okay Ari. Let’s get back to the topic at hand.”
“Uh, can I change first though? It’s kind of awkward with torn up clothes.”
“Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll be outside if you need me,” Oliver gets up and leaves the room. This time closing the door with him outside of the room. I peel off my destroyed and beer stained clothes and evaluate the clothes he brought. One is a sweater with the words DROPDEAD writer across it and some baggy black sweatpants. I put on the clothes and gawk at how comfortable they are. The shirt is extremely soft and the pants are just…the best.
I venture into the bathroom jointed to his room and scavenge around for a hairbrush. I open and close drawers and open the last one. A book with a cardboard cover and the words HIGH SCHOOL written across the front lies in it. Before I can look at it though Oliver is knocking on the door. I close the drawer and hurry back to the edge of the bed.
“Ari are you alright?” He asks through the door.
“Yeah you can come in now Oli,” I say and he cracks open the door.
“How are the clothes,” He asks me and joins me on the bed.
“Great, they’re actually really comfy.” I say and play with the baggy fabric of the sweatpants.
“That’s good because I designed them,” Oliver chuckles and my eyes widen. Did he just say he designed them?
“Wait. These are like your brand?” I ask him and Oliver clenches his hands and shows me his knuckles. I read across them and they do in fact say DROP DEAD across them.
“It’s how I get money when we aren’t touring. It’s cool especially since I get to design all of it.” Oliver looks so happy as he explains his clothing line and I can’t help but smile too.
“Wow that’s awesome.” I compliment and then suddenly my phone starts ringing. Oliver grabs it since he’s closer to it and he scrunches his eyebrows together.
“It’s Jake, do you want me to answer?” Oliver asks me and the ringing continues. I nod and Oliver swiftly clicks ANSWER and I can hear Jake yelling into the receiver. This goes on for a solid minute and I can only imagine the obscenities and insults he is yelling down the phone.
“Woah calm down and slow down mate,” Oliver says, his British accent becoming very thick. “Do you have a problem?” Jake continues yelling and I can’t make out what he is saying. I assume it’s about a guy answering my phone.
“So you’re implying you’d say all of that to your girlfriend of however long you’ve been together?” Oliver says with venom lining his voice. I can tell he’s trying his best to not just blow up on Jake. My boyfriend continues screaming and in mid-shout Oliver hangs up on him.
“Oliver! What are you doing?” I ask him and he stands up. His fists are clenched at his sides and he is turned away from me. “Oliver what’s wrong?”
“You want to know what’s wrong. What’s wrong is that ass of a boyfriend is mistreating you! Not only is he mistreating you, he is beating you. Relationships that are healthy don’t work that way Ari? DO you ever think of that! Why the hell haven’t you left him yet? When was the last time he did one nice thing for you? When was the last time he didn’t get drunk after you made him dinner? Arumi what the hell are you thinking staying with him?” Oliver yells and he leaves me speechless. I don’t know what to say to him.

Notes

Hey! Sorry for the wait I have been extremely busy with school. Tryin' to get that scholarship yo. Anyways hope you enjoyed and I'll hopefully update again tonight!
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~Kirsty