The Lesson

Rachel swallows with apprehension as she stands in front of the bedroom door, where her boyfriend resides. They had such a big fight earlier, both of them saying things completely out of line.

Her most of all.

“Ho–” She tries to speak but the sound is caught in throat, unable to escape. She takes a step back and tries to take a deep breath but her lungs refuse to take any.

Clenching her eyes she desperately tries not to cry, Rachel's whole body shivering at the thought of talking to the man behind the door.

What if he yells at her? What if he breaks up with her and leaves her alone?

She can't be alone, she's not good at it.

She covers her mouth to silence her whimpers at the thought of having to go through life by herself.

But what else is new? She always does this! Driving everybody who loves her away with her behavior!

Just like she did with her mom.

The thought of him leaving her just like her mommy sends her spirling. Pushing herself against the wall, she can't help but think the worse.

‘Why?...’  She thinks, ‘Why did I say all those things to him? What if… what if…’

Rachel slowly slides down the wall until she's on the floor, she pulls her knees to her chest and wraps her arms around them, softly weeping.

“Crree~” 

The woman's whole body stills as she hears the bedroom door open. She can feel him looking at her, burning her with his eyes.

“Thump.”

She holds her breath and bites her lip, she bites it so hard then she can taste copper on her tongue.

“ThUMp!”

The man steps closer, his footstep louder, as if he's stomping over. She knew he would be angry at her, of course he would be.

Why does she always do this? What's wrong with her?!

“THUmP!”

No wonder he always needs to punish her.

She deserves it.

Rachel's breath comes out short and she holds her legs tightly, “Please…”

She feels his hands on her, his strong fingers curling around her hair.

“Adam please~” The woman begs.

“Rach.”

His voice is so soft and like always, so kind, full of understanding. Hesitantly looking up she finds not anger but loving, worried filled eyes.

“Do..n't le…leave me…”

Her boyfriend's soft hands gently run through her long honey hair, kneading her scalp in the way she loves. He kneels in front of her and grazes her forehead with his pale lips.

He doesn't kiss like her dad, it's so gentle,  as if she's made of glass and if he adds any pressure she'll break.

She won't.

She knows she won't.

Right?

Adam moves his hands towards her cheeks and uses his thumbs to wipe her tear stains. 

She leans into his touch. Her dad never showed his love to her like this. It was always harsh words and harsher hands.

Adam at least was gentle when she needed him to be. 

He'd never abuse her, not like her dad.

Adam only ever taught her.

“I'm sor..sorry.” She mutters, “I,I didn't mean to yell, please don't leave me.” She hates how whiney she sounds but there's no helping it.

Rachel needs Adam, like she needs air or food or water.

She can't live without him.

“Oh, baby. It was just one fight, I would never leave you.” Adam tells her, his voice sweet like honey and she drinks them like she's a bee.

“Bu…but I said–”

He presses her lips with a thumb, holding her chin, “No, even if I thought you meant it, I would never let you break up with me.” 

Rachel feels her heart settle at his words, “Thank you.”

“I love you.” Adam sits down and pulls her in his lap, she rests her head on his chest, holding him tightly.

“I love you too.”

“You know,” Adam starts, his tone dropping, “I still need to punish you.”

“Ri…ght. I know, just don't leave me.” Rachel nods in understanding.

“Never.” He gathers her into his arms and stands up, he walks them into their bedroom. The man lays her on the bed, “You know what to do.”

Rachel nods and sits up, first she removes her blouse before moving her hands towards the back of her bra and unhooks it, pulling it off her, she turns on her belly.

Adam stares hungrily at her back; long, narrow scars stretch over her skin, some were silver while others were a deep angry red.

He grabs his belt and unloops it from his waist, holding it from the bottom of the strap, the buckle scratches at the floor, “Remember, count to ten.”

He raises his arm and brings the belt down on her.

“SNaP!”

“Agh! O..on..one.”

Adam smiles and raises his arm again and-

“snAp!”

“RmPh! Tw…tw…o.”

The man continues, his smile growing larger and larger as he hears her screams.

“-ei…eig…ei…”

“SNAP!”

Rachel sobs in agony.

Adam sighs, “You lost count, we're going to start over.”

“Oo…okay.” She whispers.

The man is forced to repeat the process over again.

She tries to keep count, she really does but the pain is too much.

Maybe he's right to treat her like glass, they've been together for three years and Rachel still can't keep herself together for him.

She's pathetic.

“You lost count again, baby.” Adam says tenderly, he steps forward and kneels beside their bed.

Turning her head she stares at him with wet eyes and wobbly lips, “I'm s…sorry. I…it hurts, it hur…hurts s…so much…”

“I know, I know.” He uses his fore knuckle to clear her eyes, “But that's how we learn right?”

She nods, “I kn…kn…know.”

“Good, now be brave and count.”

Rachel counts, she counts ignoring the fire flaring across her back and when she makes it ten Adam, her sweet Adam cheers for her.

Like the kind man he is, he helps her sit up and kisses her, molds his lips to her own and she can feel his gratitude, like she's the one that helped him instead the other way around.

“You did so good, baby. I'm so proud.” He says and she can't help but smile, leaning against his chest the two sit together enjoying the other's presence.