A/N: I'm back, sorry for the delay. Normally I write personalized review notes, but since I'm pressed for time, I am unable to for this chapter. But thank you to those who reviewed this one!
The next morning, Spinelli woke up with a large bruise above her right eye where TJ had hit her. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to block out memories of what had happened. TJ being drunk, her saying no to his advances, him hitting her and calling her all of those horrible names. She just could not understand what had happened to him, why he suddenly was acting so violently towards her. She gently dabbed some cover up on her face to conceal the bruise, and made sure her eye makeup blended in with it as well. The last thing she needed was questions from people about what had happened to her face. Not that anyone would even pay attention, since it was a known fact that she sometimes got into fights and was an avid kickboxer, both of which sometimes left bumps and bruises on her body. People would just assume that she was injured by that.
But why did she want to cover it up so badly? She'd never cared about bruises before. Perhaps it was her way of covering up the flaws in her seemingly perfect relationship with TJ. Or maybe she just didn't want to admit she was a victim of abuse. Whatever the case, she had no time to think about it now, since her mom was yelling from downstairs that her breakfast was ready.
"Hi Pookie! I made you chocolate chip and banana pancakes, your favorite!" Flo said giving her daughter a hug. Spinelli had to smile and hug back. Despite how annoying and overbearing her mother could sometimes be, she always made sure her daughters were well taken care of and always tried to do special things for them.
"Thanks mom, it looks great," She walked over to sit down, giving Miranda a hug before she plopped down next to her. "What's up, Miranda?" Spinelli asked, cutting her pancakes and beginning to eat.
"The sky!" Miranda asked giggling as she sipped her milk, leaving a milk mustache on her face.
"Silly girl," Spinelli laughed. It was amazing how well the two got along, despite their age and personality differences. Miranda was the exact opposite of Spinelli, from inheriting Flo's looks to being as calm as Spinelli was tough. Spinelli had been so deep in thought about her relationship with her sister that she barely heard Miranda asking her the question she had been dreading since the night before.
"Ash-e, whats that on your face?" she asked, leaning forward to touch the bruise. Spinelli froze. As much as she didn't want to answer, she knew she had to think quickly before anyone got suspicious.
"I, um, got hit in kickboxing," Spinelli said quickly, hoping her mother wouldn't question her about it.
Flo looked over at her daughter with concern. "Pookie? Are you ok? Have you been fighting again?" she asked.
"Um, no Mom, I just got hit during kickboxing practice yesterday," Spinelli quickly lied, not wanting her mother to know what really happened last night.
"Just be careful honey, I don't want you to hurt yourself." Flo dried the last dish and turned to face her daughter. "I have to drop Miranda off at kindergarten, so I'll give you a ride too."
During the entire car ride, Spinelli faked sleep so her mother wouldn't press the issue of the bruise. The last thing Spinelli needed was her mom interfering with her life.
"I'll pick you up after school today Pookie," Flo said loudly, startling Spinelli. She looked up and began gathering her things, wanting to escape any further talk as fast as possible.
"Sure, thanks mom," Spinelli waved and got out of the car. She paused for a moment and reached over to give her mom a hug, suddenly feeling the need for the security her mom gave her and for once not caring who saw or what anyone said. Flo was a bit surprised, but hugged her daughter back and drove off.
As Spinelli walked over to her locker, she saw TJ waiting for her, carrying a small bouquet of tulips, her favorite flower.
"I'm sorry, Spin," TJ said hugging his girlfriend and handing her the flowers. "I don't know what came over me, I guess I just drank too much and acted without thinking, you know I still love you right?" TJ looked at Spinelli with such a wounded puppy dog look that Spinelli couldn't help but smile.
"Teej, I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have led you on, I was wrong." Spinelli put his arms around him and kissed him, thinking that maybe he was right and it was time to take that next step. As she broke away, she whispered in his ear, "I'm ready, come on over tonight, Mom and Miranda will be at Grandma's. we'll have the entire house to ourselves." She traced her finger down his body, letting it linger ever so slightly towards the lower region.
"Spinelli, you have just made me the happiest guy ever," TJ smiled at her and kissed her again. However as they kissed, oblivious to the people surrounding them in the hall, something in Spinelli's body felt off, almost as if she should be scared of something. She just shook it off, chalking it off as nervousness about what was going to be a very special night for the both of them.
But why did she have a sinking feeling things were going to end up spinning out of control?
She loved him like he was
The last man on Earth
Gave him everything she ever had
He'd break her spirit down
Then come lovin' up on her.
Give a little, then take it back
She'd tell him about her dreams
He'd just shoot 'em down
Lord he loved to make her cry
"You're crazy for believin'
You'd ever leave the ground"
He said "only angels know how to fly"
And with a broken wing
She still sings
She keeps an eye on the sky
With a broken wing
She carries her dreams
Man you oughta see her fly
A/N: Not as good as I wanted, but I'm tired, busy and got tons going on. So enjoy the chapter, send soul hugs and look out for more! I promise you this all has some significance in the end. And the song it Broken Wing by Martina McBride! Enjoy!