22The day passed quickly and before long, it was 3:15pm. Opening her locker, Michelle sensed someone's presence behind her. She whirled around and came face-to-face with Landon.
"Hi!" she said, reaching out to give him a hug.
"Hurry up, will ya?" Landon pulled back, away from her. His expression was hard, unreadable. Michelle sensed something was wrong.
"Umm…okay…" said Michelle, stung by his behavior. "Is something wrong?"
"Just hurry up."
Grabbing her books out of her locker, Michelle closed it and turned around again. Landon grabbed her by the arm and pulled her towards the exit, ignoring the "Hi's" and "Bye's" from their friends.
"Landon, what's wrong?" Michelle tried again when they reached the park next to their school. Breathing heavily, Landon lashed out on her. All of his problems. He had gotten a C – on his Math test, a C on his Science project, and he'd just been kicked off the rugby team.
"I'm so sorry, Landon. I don't know what to say," stuttered Michelle.
Landon faced away from her, towards the school. Suddenly, he whipped around again and slapped her across the face with all his strength.
Michelle couldn't believe what he'd just done. Landon. Sweet Landon. Caring Landon. Gentle Landon. Landon who'd never hurt her before. Landon who was always there for her. She gently placed her fingers on her cheek where he'd slapped her and winced. It was starting to bruise. Tears welled up in her eyes and she lifted her head up to look at him.
Landon stared at his hand. What had he just done? Reaching out for Michelle, he pulled her into his arms. "I'm so sorry, sweetie, I didn't mean to do that." Michelle's body was stiff and unmoving. Finally, he let go of her. She refused to look up at him.
"Michelle, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I love you. Please believe me. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Looking up at him, Michelle saw the hurt etched into his face. She forgave him instantly. It wasn't his fault. He had had a bad day. He didn't mean to hurt her. He loved her. And she loved him too, with all her heart. Hesitantly, she reached forward and hugged him. Landon melted under her arms, hugging her back.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered into her ear.
"It's okay," Michelle replied, her voice shaky.
"Come on; let me go buy you a drink."
"Okay." Michelle willingly allowed herself to be led away.
"Ding dong!" Leslie looked up from her math textbook. I wonder who that could be, she thought to herself. Opening the door, she was stunned to find Michelle standing there, a huge bluish gray bruise on her right cheek.
"Sorry, Leslie, I forgot my keys," mumbled Michelle.
"Michelle, what happened?!" cried Leslie.
"What?" asked Michelle. She reached up to touch her cheek. "Oh, you mean this?"
"Yes, that."
"Oh, it's nothing." Michelle lowered her eyes.
"Michelle, it can't be nothing. That's one huge bruise."
"It's okay. It'll heal."
"What happened?" demanded Leslie.
"It's nothing, really." Michelle shoved her way past Leslie and walked into the kitchen. Leslie quickly shut the door and followed her.
"Tell me."
"I already told you, it's nothing."
"Michelle, come on, you have to tell me. I'm your sister!"
"It's nothing. And don't you dare tell mom and dad when they come back from Japan either."
"I will if you don't tell me what happened," threatened Leslie.
Sighing, Michelle poured herself a glass of milk and sat down heavily at the kitchen table. Leslie sat down too.
"Okay, now spill."
"Well…it wasn't his fault."
"Who?" Suddenly, realization dawned on Leslie's face. "You mean Landon hit you?!"
"Mmhmm…" sighed Michelle. "Like I said, it wasn't his fault."
"What do you mean 'it wasn't his fault'? He hit you! Of course it's his fault!"
"No it isn't," Michelle said firmly, "He had a bad day. It was my fault. I wasn't supportive of him enough."
"Excuse me?"
Sighing once more, Michelle related her tale to Leslie, starting from what happened after school and ending with Landon talking her out for dinner. Leslie stared at her sister, stunned. She couldn't believe that Landon could do something like this. She'd never seen this side of Landon before.
"Michelle, you do realize it wasn't your fault, right?"
"What do you mean? Of course it was my fault."
"No, it isn't. Landon has to control his temper."
"It was just this once; he's never hurt me before."
"I guess…but Michelle, do me a favour? Be careful around him, okay? I don't want you getting hurt again."
"Okay," agreed Michelle.
"Ring!" Pulling her head up from the math textbook she was napping on, Michelle reached over for the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hi. Michelle?" asked a male voice.
"Yes. Hi Landon," answered Michelle.
"Hey, sweetie. Are you busy tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? No, why?"
"I was thinking that maybe we could go to the mall or something and catch a movie. Want to go?"
"Just us?"
"Yup. Just us."
"What time?"
"Around 2:00pm."
"Okay."
"Okay, then. I'll pick you up at your house at 1:30pm, okay?"
"Sure thing."
"Okay, then. I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing. I love you, sweetie."
"I love you, too."
Smiling, Michelle hung up and headed over to her closet. Dates with Landon were always fun and she wanted to dress nicely for it, just for him. To make up for being so unsupportive when he needed her most. Gazing up at her piles of clothing, she began to go through them. After about an hour, she finally decided on a white button up with a black angora sweater over it and her favorite knee-length denim skirt. With that, she'd wear her brand-new knee-high boots. Content with her clothing choices, Michelle quickly changed into pajamas and went to sleep.
"Beep!" A car honked from outside.
"Hey, Michelle! Landon's here!" called Leslie.
"Coming!" Michelle quickly pulled on her boots, grabbed her purse, and ran downstairs.
"Have fun!" Leslie called out after her as she ran out the front door. "Bye!"
"Bye!" Michelle called back.
Getting into the front seat of Landon's black Acura RSX, she leaned over as he kissed her.
"Hi sweetie, you look nice today," said Landon, smiling.
"Thanks." Michelle grinned. She had covered up the bruise with makeup and now, it was barely noticeable.
Sinking into the soft interior of her boyfriend's car, Michelle was content. She was positive Landon would never hurt her again. Sighing happily, she gazed over at him. He was the perfect boyfriend and she loved him with everything she had. He was one of the school's hottest guys and she couldn't believe it when he had called to ask her out. He had picked her, her, out of all the girl's in the school. She still, after 8 months, couldn't believe her luck.
"Wow! That movie was great, wasn't it?" cried Michelle happily.
"Yeah, it was awesome," muttered Landon.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" asked Michelle, concerned.
"Nothing. I'm fine." Landon plastered a huge smile across his face.
"Okay!" Seeing the smile, Michelle figured it was nothing important.
"Let's go to Central Park, okay?" suggested Landon.
"Sure!"
The couple got into Landon's car and drove to Central Park in silence. I wonder what's wrong, thought Michelle. Landon was so quiet. He wasn't usually this way. He was usually cheerful and happy and talkative. It wasn't like him to act this way. Shaking her head, she pushed all the negative thoughts about him out of her head and concentrated on being happy.
When they arrived at Central Park, Landon took her hand as they began the walk through the park. Stopping by a small clearing, he led her off the path and into it. Michelle looked up at him. His face was stony.
"What's wrong, Landon?"
"I don't know, Michelle, it's just that…"
"What?"
"Well, Coach won't let me back on the rugby team and I just don't know what to do anymore. Rugby is my life."
"I know, sweetie…why'd he kick you off?"
"No good reason."
"Why, Landon?"
"I said no good reason." Landon turned away from her.
"Oh." Michelle decided not to push the issue. She glanced over at Landon. His face had become stormy. She reached her arms out for a hug. Surprised, Landon jerked away.
"Michelle, stop it."
"Why? I want to hug you." She noticed a faint odor on his breath and racked her mind, trying to figure out what it was.
"I don't want to hug you."
"Why?" Michelle couldn't believe what she was hearing. Landon, at least, the Landon she knew, loved hugs. He never turned them down.
"Because I said no, okay?"
"Okay…"
Landon had turned his head up to the sky, breathing heavily. He looked as though he had just run 6 laps. Turning his head towards Michelle, he noticed that she was staring at him. Just staring. This seemed to tick him off. With a growl, he clenched his hand into a fist and punched her.
Michelle's head whipped back. She felt tears begin to fill up in her eyes and she closed them, refusing to look at Landon. Again. He'd hurt her again. He'd promised not to. What had she done wrong this time? She felt his arms circle around her waist and she pulled away.
"Slap!" Landon slapped her. Michelle forced her eyes open and she stared up at him, into his big, turquoise eyes. She saw anger, fear, and resentment. Then, he closed his eyes and when he opened them again, she saw love, hurt, and denial. Again, he reached for her. This time, she didn't pull away. She let him hug her. He gently stroked her cheek where he'd slapped her, kissing away her pain, her tears.
"I'm sorry, sweetie. I didn't mean to hit you. Really. I'm sorry. I guess the frustration just took hold of me."
"It's okay, Landon. I know." Again, Michelle noticed a faint odor on his breath. She was puzzled. She knew she'd smelled that before, but she just couldn't remember where and what it was.
"I love you, Michelle. Please forgive me."
"I love you, too." She tilted her head up to receive the kiss he planted on her lips and then buried her face into his shoulder, trying to will away the pain he had inflicted upon her.
After awhile, Landon silently led her back out to the car and drove her home. This time, Michelle got lucky, Leslie was out and she could go cover up the scars of that afternoon.