Tempting Crystal

Crys' POV

I've been on this train for far too long. As I finally walk off, I double check that I've grabbed everything before heading towards the nearby bus station. Making sure to pull my hood further over my face, I drag my large suitcase behind me.

Double checking that I'm getting on the right bus, as I keep my head down before entering. Starting the ride to my new home for the last year of college, I end up lost in my thoughts on my way there. I'm moving in with my twin brothers, James and Jeremy, and their friend, but it's a 30 minute bus ride to their place.

I miss my brothers and I'm really looking forward to being with them again. While I need to be with them at the moment, I'm not so sure how well this first meeting will go for us... It's been so long since I've seen them.

After my brothers finished high school, we lost our parents. We were all very close growing up, and helped each other cope after our family felt like it was falling to pieces. Unfortunately, I drifted away after we went to different colleges.

I've told them that I'm transferring to their college, so they've asked me to move in. They just had a room free up, so I definitely got lucky in that sense. When they asked why I'm swapping, I simply said that I've split from my boyfriend of a year and a half and I want to start fresh.

They seemed to believe me, though they don't know all the details. I doubt I'll ever tell them fully, but things will have to be explained to some extent when they see me.

Gawd. My hands get clammy just thinking about their reactions.

I'm about to start my last year of college and so I put in for a transfer prior to the end of last semester. I have spoken with my old college and explained my reasons for the transfer. They understand that no one is to know where I went for my own safety. I also explained to me new college my special circumstances while working out my transfer. Hence, being able to live with my brothers so easily.

Let's just say my ex was abusive. He started out possessive, but sadly it escalated to being shoved, slapped, and punched. His face started to change from the handsome man I started to date, to a pale and tired drunk. I kept telling myself that it's just a stage but it wasn't.

He got really bad a few months ago and it was what made me plan my escape from him. I've planned to run from my ex for a while now. Any time I'd tried to break up, previously landed me in a worse state afterwards. Nightmares haunt me from some of our fights.

I have lived through enough already, I refuse to be with that pig of a man if he won't even treat me right.

Perhaps I'm just a magnet for bad people.

Sadly, before I got away last night, he got drunk off his arse after nearly getting fired and he took it out on me. I'll spare you the gory details for now. He's already graduated and working full time, he now spends his time out with work buddies drinking. That was when things got worse for us but any time I brought it up or asked him to stop drinking, it would bring on more wrath from him.

So last night, I left while he was passed out drunk at 3:00 am and hopefully I can remain free from him. I withdrew some cash from my account while still near our place. I got rid of my phone since I can buy a new one later when I've settled in. I filled my suitcase with all my important documents, clothes and other stuff then went straight to the train station.

I've been on trains ever since traveling to where my brothers live. Along with my fight with him last night, my back aches and my backside feels flattened and numb. I can't wait to slip into a bed and just start over, far away from it all.

As my bus jerks to a stop, pulling me from my thoughts, I see I'm on my brothers street. They live in some building that's near the college, it's simple enough as far as looks go. It's all dark grey concrete except for the door which is glass. Its location works well for me since I clearly lack a car. From what they told me, it's like a big dorm but in an apartment building. Lots of students pay for the larger space and split everything.

It's already pretty late and I'm hoping to avoid questions, at least for tonight. I can already feel my anxiety building as I walk into the lobby. My hands start to slightly shake as they get that familiar clammy feeling. I take the elevator to the 5th floor and start looking for 5C. When I find their door, I raise my shaking fist slowly up and hesitate a moment. Taking in a deep breathe before I finally knock.

When the door flies open, I jump slightly before seeing the big smiles of my goofy brothers. Their brown eyes sparkling with joy as their smiles make the creases show around their eyes. It warms my heart to see them happy. I can't believe how much I've missed them. Slowly I look up to meet their gaze and watch as their faces drop at the sight of me.

Not that I blame them.

Jeremy grabs the large suitcase I was dragging behind me, while James gently pulls me inside by my hand. After the door is shut and locked, James puts his warm hand under my jaw to make me look back up at their worried eyes while Jeremy gently pulls my oversized hood off. Their faces contort in pain at the sight of their little sister sporting a split lip and a black eye.

Luckily that's all they can see of me.

"Crys, what happened?" They say in unison, voices filled with concern and with a hint of anger.

The concern on their faces is what breaks my remaining strength as I feel my bottom lip tremble before finally bursting into tears while they pull me into a hug. I spend what feels like hours just crying in their arms. I have never been able to really hide anything from them, though I've only rarely wanted to either, until now. I'm finally feeling safe in their protective arms.

After a while, I slow down to just the occasional hiccup and I start to feel like I'll fall asleep.

I guess hours of train riding and pent up sadness does that.

"Can I just go to bed? Please." I croak out, pleading to not make me talk about this tonight.

They simply nod in unison while giving me a small smile. After leading me to a bedroom to the left of the apartment, I lay down in the middle of the double bed before feeling them lay on either side of me and wrapping an arm around me. Reminding me of times like what we did growing up. As I slowly nod off, I feel both of them tighten their grip around me and I'm finally able to let my mind go blank and fall asleep.

Safe and free.

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