Quick Flicks

"Vera, come on, I can walk home. I literally live five minutes away."

"But, it's dark!"

"Yeah, and I have a flashlight on my phone. Plus, the street lights will help me. I promise I'll text you when I get home." I looked at her, reassuring her that I'd be fine.

"Fine, I guess. Text me right away!" Vera leaned over and gave me a hug, watching me as I walked away from her car. "Bye, Jess!" I waved back and headed home.

Vera and I had known each other since we were both thirteen years-old. She had moved to Pittsburgh then and we had both attended the same high school and then attended colleges only twenty-minutes apart. I remember the first day of freshmen year, seeing this shy girl walk into the room, and having her sit in the only open chair next to me. I introduced myself and we chatted a little bit, but I could tell she was not a native English speaker, due to her thick accent.

Over the years, we had become inseparable. Our high school was a boarding school, so while I commuted from daily, she stayed in the dorms. Even on most breaks, she would stay in the US, going to stay with her brother in Pittsburgh. I'd met him a few times over the years, even going to his house on occasion to visit Vera on breaks, but he usually didn't say too much. He was pretty busy playing hockey all the time, but would watch movies or go out to dinner with us on occasion.

Vera and I were each working jobs in the area surrounding Pittsburgh, she as a physical therapist and myself as a paralegal. I wanted to go to law school eventually, but for now I was just getting used to life out of college and trying to save up.

I walked up the stairs to my tiny apartment, sending Vera a quick text and walking inside. After hanging up my coat and putting my purse in my room, I sat at the kitchen counter and opened my computer. I was interrupted by a few loud, sharp knocks at the door. I recognized the sound as I scrambled to my feet and over to wrench open the door.

"Jess, I wanted to come over." My boyfriend, Victor stood before me, the smell of whiskey rolling off of his breath. "You didn't answer when I called, so I just came over to see ya myself." He hadn't called me, as my phone didn't have any notifications, but I knew better to argue with him about it.

I moved to the side as he shuffled into the apartment, throwing his coat onto the couch. I walked back over to the counter, reopening my computer to finish looking over a case one of the lawyers at the firm had sent to me. I felt his warm, drunk breath on the back of my neck as he put his hands on my shoulders, standing behind me.

"Put that away and come hang with me", he slurred, reaching out to close my computer.

"I really have to finish this, but I'm almost done."

Victor didn't like that answer, and walked around me to grab my computer, closing it and throwing it onto the couch behind him. I winced as it landed, thankful its fall had been cushioned by the pillows. Victor grabbed my wrists, pulling me off of the stool and blocking me in against the counter.

"No, you're done now, okay?" He leaned in to kiss my neck as I nodded quickly, staying silent as he still gripped my wrists tightly. "Your stupid job can wait." He looked at me again, walking back a few steps.

"How was your day?" I asked quietly, plastering a fake smile on my face. "Did you interview at that place yet?"

Victor rolled his eyes and walked over to me again, gripping my arm firmly, definitely leaving marks. "Worry about yourself. I don't need a job right now! I'm fine." He let go of my arm and I started to move away, but he grabbed me again and pushed me into the wall.

"Ow." Victor looked at me as I made a noise from hitting the wall.

"Come on, don't be so clumsy." I could see in Victor's eyes that he was getting frustrated at my questions and lack of enthusiasm. "Why are you so stupid?" He pushed me forward again as I began to walk, and I landed on the ground before turning over onto my back and standing up.

I mumbled under my breath something about not being clumsy, but apparently not as quietly as I thought, as I felt Victor's hand strike my face as I turned around to look at him. I gulped as he did it again, this time hard enough to bring tears to my eyes.

"Don't cry about it. You're such a girl. Grow up." I backed up to try to get away from him, maybe by locking myself in the bathroom or something, but managed to back up into a wall, no escape. Victor stood very close, putting one hand on my waist while the other rested on the wall. I pushed his hand away and he brought it up to punch me in the side, hard. I could feel the pain spreading like a fire in my side, and my mind ran through the ways I could cover it up so nobody would notice. He slapped me again, this time hitting my eye, hard, as his misguided drunk slap/punch went wayward. The tears spilled down my face as he stumbled backwards, moving to lay on the couch. He mumbled something under his breath before passing out on the couch.

I walked over to the counter and grabbed my laptop, walking quietly into my room and locking the door securely as I laid under the covers and cried myself to sleep.
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I woke up, rolling over and groaning as I felt the soreness in my body wake up. Tiptoeing quietly over to the door and opening it, I silently thanked God that Victor wasn't on the couch anymore. I could see that his coat was gone, as well, which meant he had left. I decided to go to the bathroom and assess the damage.

Stripping off my tank top and sleep shorts, I gasped as I looked over the new marks on my body. Just as I had predicted, there were long bruises where he had gripped me against the counter. My body had other, faded bruises all over from other incidents, but I could see a new mass growing on my right side, just below my ribs. It was large and purple, and when I touched it I winced at the sharp pain it held. I held my hand up to my face, noticing the black eye that had started to develop. It wasn't horrible, but it also wouldn't be easy to cover up.

I took a quick shower and threw on a pair of leggings and a long-sleeved shirt with my school's logo on it. I tried my hardest cover up the purple around my eye, but it was still noticeable. I'd just have to make up some lame excuse.

I grabbed my keys and threw on my coat, thankful that it wasn't too cold out today. I was headed over to see Vera, just to hang out and have a fun day together. She was planning on getting an apartment, but her brother had insisted she just stay in his house. It was massive and he spent a lot of time away from it when he was away for games. She had a huge bedroom and beautiful bathroom to herself, along with a walk in closet.

I approached the bottom of the long driveway, the gates opening as I approached. I was still amazed by the house every time I saw it, and couldn't wait to see what she had done with her part of the house. I parked next to Vera's car and hopped out, walking to the door and raising my hand to knock. Vera answered, quickly.

"Hey Jess! Come on in." I walked through the door and looked around, hanging up my coat with my mouth open in awe. The place looked like a home in a magazine. There was evidence that someone actually lived here in some places, such as the few family pictures above the fireplace, the shoes next to the door, and the hockey sticks leaning against the wall. But, even then, it still looked immaculate. "You want something to drink? I'm making cocoa!"

"Oh yum, sure!" I nodded, smiling as Vera smiled back and grabbed another mug.

"Hey, what happened to your eye?" I reached my hand up.

"Oh, I fell last night. I was trying to get out of the cold and tripped on the stairs. Typical me, right?" Vera laughed and went back to making cocoa.

"Of course, graceful as always." I was glad she bought my excuse, and leaned against the counter. Geno walked in just then, a pair of sweatpants and a long-sleeved Penguins shirt on, with a small 71 on the front. He rubbed his eyes and yawned, clearly having just woken up. He smiled when he noticed me, and walked over to give me a hug.

"Jess! How are you?" He pulled away after giving me a massive bear hug, as he was quite a bit taller than me and was a massive hockey player. I tried not to show the pain that pulsed through my body when he touched me, biting my lip to keep from crying out.

"I'm good, thanks. How have you been?" Geno shrugged, reaching his hand out to pat me on the back, but when I saw his hand raised I flinched instinctively. He gave me a strange look, trying to process my movements. I just pretended nothing had happened and was thankful when Vera walked over, handing us both a mug of hot cocoa.

"Complete with whip cream! Hopefully Coach won't get mad at me, but I think you can afford this little treat." We each took our mugs, Geno smiling quickly at Vera before quickly returning his gaze back to me.

"What happen to your eye?" He pointed at the not-so-well hidden bruise on my face. Vera was skipping out of the room towards the couches, and responded with a chuckle.

"Clumsy butt over here tripped on the stairs and gave herself a black eye!" I gulped as Geno still stared at me and went to the living room as well. Geno remained quiet, following close behind and sitting in the chair opposite the couch Vera and I shared. We turned on the TV and watched, and thankfully Geno had seemed to return to his normal state.

"I'm gonna run to the bathroom. Don't have too much fun without me!" Vera popped out of her seat, running down the hall. I stood up to grab my phone, which I had left in the kitchen.

"You have some-" Geno laughed, gesturing to his upper lip. I turned away slightly and lifted the bottom of my shirt up to wipe the whipped cream off of my face, laughing as well. I heard Geno's laughing stop as he gasped, and I remembered my bruises, quickly dropping my shirt and smoothing out. Geno stood to say something, but I darted out of the room and ran to get my phone, thankful that Vera was there when I returned.

"So, how's Victor?" Vera asked, introducing possibly the worst subject to talk about right now.

"Who Victor?" Geno asked.

"Jess' boyyyfrieeend. Ooohhhh!" Vera replied in a sing-songy voice, giggling and returning her attention to the TV. Geno stood abruptly, startling me and Vera. "Where ya going, брат?"

He grabbed his coat off of the hook and stormed to the door. "Out. Be back later." Vera shrugged as Geno slammed the door.

"He's so dramatic", Vera rolled her eyes, looking back at the TV.

"Yeah", I responded, still a little taken aback by Geno's antics.
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I sat on my couch at home, flipping through the channels mindlessly. I was startled by a sharp knocking at my door, and sprung up to answer it.

"Sorry, Victor! I promi-" I stopped as I noticed it wasn't Victor at the door, but rather Geno. He looked worried and I could see some snowflakes in his hair, as a light snow shower fell from the sky. "Hi Geno." I gulped, welcoming him into the apartment.

"Sorry, I get address from Vera." I nodded. "I need talk to you."

"Um, sure. What's up?" I sat on the couch, turning to face Geno as he sat on the other end.

"Why did you lie?" I looked at him, confused as to what he was referring to. "Why did you lie about", he pointed to his eye.

"Oh, um, I didn't lie! I'm just super clumsy, haha." I laughed it off, hoping he would buy it.

"What about," he ran his hand along his side, right where the bruising was on my body.

"Oh, um, that was just from falling, too! Must have hit those stairs pretty hard." I nervously giggled, hoping the conversation would end.

"But you hurt when I hug you. And look scared when I pat you on back. Why?" I gulped, feeling tears sting my eyes. I stood and walked into the kitchen, facing away from Geno and wiping my eyes.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I sniffled, feeling arms encircle me and squealing as Geno picked me up effortlessly and sat me on the counter, so I was just about eye-level with him. More tears had formed from the pain of him touching me. I wiped them away, quickly.

"Jessica, no more lying. Why you hurt?" I didn't answer. "Who hurt you?" I hopped down from the counter, but Geno blocked the exit to the kitchen. He had a worried look on his face, and his arms were crossed across his chest. I was panicking, not knowing what to do. Should I lie? Should I tell him?

I leaned against the refrigerator and slumped to the ground, letting the tears flow. I buried my head in my hands, not wanting anyone to see me like this. Geno sat opposite me, resting his hand on my knee as I broke down. Once I collected my breath, I unburied my head and looked at Geno, who was still worried and very, very quiet.

"Okay, I didn't fall. I don't have these marks because I'm clumsy. I-" I swallowed hard, closing my eyes and composing my thoughts. "Victor and I started dating a few months ago. We both went to the same school, and he was very sweet and we connected instantly because we are both from the same area. He was so funny and smart and sweet. Everything was great, until about a month in. At first, he would just jokingly push me around. But then, I noticed him getting angry over little things. When he got fired from his job about a month ago, he started drinking more and things really took off. I guess I shouldn't ask him about his job search so much and-" Geno cut me off.

"No, no. Is not your fault." He quickly shook his head. "You break up?" I shook my head.

"No, actually, I was thinking about moving in with him. I-" I swallowed hard as more tears flowed. "I'm just scared, Geno. I don't know what to do. I'm scared of what he will do to me if I end it, but I'm also scared of what he's doing now."

Geno stood and reached down for my hands, helping me to my feet as well.

"Show me." Geno said quietly, his eyes even more worried than before. I shook my head. "Please, I need to help." I wiped my tears and took a deep breath, before heading to my bedroom with Geno close behind.

I stood in the middle of the room as Geno leaned in the doorway. I took my shirt off, slowly, wincing as I raised my arms. I could hear Geno gasp as he saw the massive bruise from last night, as well as the marks on my arm and all over from previous times. I slipped off my leggings, as well, revealing a few small bruises on my legs, but most of the damage had been done to my torso and face. I stood in the center of the room, only in my bra and underwear, and I had never felt more exposed. Not because I was almost naked in front of someone I didn't know very well, but because this was the first time I had ever seen all of my bruises. Even Vera didn't know about the,

"Jess, I-" Geno walked over to me, raising his hand to inspect the bruise on my ribs. I flinched at his touch as I felt the sharp pain spread through again, along with a wave of nausea. "You need doctor." I shook my head, stepping away and wrapping myself in a blanket at the foot of my bed.

"Please, no. I don't want anyone to know about this. Not even Vera." Geno walked over to me and placed his hand lightly on my shoulder.

"You need help. I can take you to team trainer. He's very good and no tell anyone. He even told Coach one time to not make me practice so I could rest my knee, but I really just had hangover." He chuckled, a small smile spreading across my face. "Please, I not tell anyone else."

I nodded quietly, as Geno whipped out his phone and sent a quick text.

"I drive you now. You get dressed and we can head over." He left the room, and lifted his phone to his ear, as I threw my leggings and shirt back on, quickly applying some more makeup to my face. When I went back to the living room, Geno was waiting by the door with his coat on, keys in hand. He opened the door for me and we headed to his car.

After about a twenty-minute drive, we arrived at Consol Energy Center. We both walked side-by-side through the light snow into the back entrance of the arena, which was completely empty. Geno led me through the halls, decked out with Penguins logos, and stopped in front of a door that read "Training Room". He opened it slowly, waving to a man sitting in a chair at the lone desk in the room.

"Hey, Geno. What'd you need?" He shook Geno's hand quickly and looked at me, as the three of us stood in the center of the room. Geno looked over to me before responding.

"This is Jess. She is my sister's friend. She-" He was silent as he looked back to me, unsure of what to say.

I gulped and took over. "I, um, was injured. By my boyfriend. And, um, I need someone to look at some of my injuries." The man raised his eyebrows, before gesturing for me to sit on the examination table. Geno hopped up on the table next to me, his long legs hanging off the side. The trainer, who I learned was named Curtis, instructed me to show him my injuries, so I took off my shirt and leggings, thankful that I had remembered to slip on a sports bra and spandex shorts before leaving. I heard Geno gasp again as he saw my bruises, this time illuminated in the harsh, fluorescent lighting of the training room. I reached my hand up to wipe off the powder over my black eye, revealing the purple marking.

Curtis stepped back, hands crossed over his chest, and looked me up and down. He exhaled slowly. "This isn't the first time." He didn't ask it, but instead stated it, matter-of-factly. I nodded, looking down at my feet as they hung off the edge of the table. He looked at me, silently asking permission to touch the massive mark on my side. I laid back on the table, and he walked over to the side opposite Geno, lightly brushing his hands over the mark. I winced and moved slightly away, and felt Geno grab my hand. The worried expression had returned to his face.

"Sorry, this is going to hurt. I need to see what type of situation we're dealing with, here." I nodded, taking a deep breath and closing my eyes. He pressed harder into my side, and I nearly jumped off the table, bursting into tears. "I am so sorry, Jess. I think you've got a cracked rib. Nothing broken, but definitely a crack in there. Hey, Geno, would you mind grabbing a bag of ice from the locker room?" Geno nodded and took off.

Curtis reached his hand out to me, helping me sit up and handing me back my shirt. He pulled the desk chair over to sit in front of me as I put my clothing back on. He sighed and sat on the chair backwards, looking up at me.

"So, how long has this been going on?" I launched into the same story I had told Geno, detailing the lovely start to our relationship that quickly turned sour. Curtis would nod as he listened to me, staying quiet a few moments after I finished.

"Jess, I don't know if Geno has told you this about me, but I used to work for my college's health center after I graduated. I'd help the doctor's out and basically just do whatever was necessary while gaining as much work experience as possible. I saw a great deal of things while I worked there. Drunk injuries, kids with the flu, but also a lot of girls, and even the occasional guy, who looked just like you. And they'll spoke just like you. ' I shouldn't have done this', 'I shouldn't have said that', 'He was just tired', etc. But what I learned, after seeing countless cases, is that it is never, ever the victim's fault. That's the case with you, as well Jess. This is not your fault. I'm glad you told Geno and I'm glad that he called me out here, because I want to help you."

I nodded, smiling and tearing up as my eyes welled up with tears. I was overwhelmed by Curtis' kind words. I'd never felt so understood and loved.

"Thank you, Curtis."

"I need you to promise me something. I would sometimes see the same girls come in, again and again. They would say they would end it with their boyfriend, but then go home and not say a thing. They'd make up some excuse about waiting to do it soon or something, but few actually did. I know it's not easy, but I need you to promise me that you'll get out of this relationship. Promise?" I nodded, taking a deep breath. He leaned in and gave me quick hug, which I gladly returned.

Geno walked in, bag of ice in hand. "I found it!" He came over to me and held it to my side, as Curtis wrapped it to my body. He handed me some cream to apply to help the bruising fade and help get rid of the soreness and recommended I not do a ton of physical activity and take ibuprofen as needed for pain. I gave him another hug and whispered "thank you" before we left, and he shouted a goodbye to Geno.

Once we got back into Geno's car, it was silent. The twenty-minute drive was completely silent and nobody said anything until we were back at my door. I stood at my doorway, turning to face Geno.

"Thank you. For noticing that something was off. For not telling Vera. For taking me to see Curtis. For everything." I stood on my toes and kissed him on the cheek, quickly. He smiled back at me.

"I help you because you Vera's friend. You help her all the time, help her at school. You don't deserve bad things." I smiled and opened the door, turning to face Geno again. He had turned to leave but stopped once I faced him.

"Um, Geno. Is there anyway you could, uh, stay with me? I'm scared that Victor will come back." Geno nodded.

"Yes, I protect you." He walked in and closed the door behind him. I threw the ice into the trash and went to change into a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. It was pretty late, and I was tired and cold. Geno had turned the TV on and sat on the couch. I sat next to him after taking an ibuprofen. He moved his arm over my shoulders and I cuddled into his side. He was extra careful to not touch the bruise on my side. I pulled a blanket over and drifted to sleep, feeling protected by the large Russian bear who was at my side.
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I woke up, realizing I was on the couch. Geno was nowhere to be found, so I checked my phone. I saw that Victor had called me a few times, and silently cursed as I worried that he would come over. My nightmares came true as the door wrenched open, Victor using the spare key to get in. I sat up and scooted to the edge of the couch, trying to distance myself from the door.

"Why didn't you answer my calls?" Victor yelled as he walked into the room, door still wide open. Geno walked in just then, having just left the bathroom. "Who the hell is this? You screwing him, too?" I couldn't even get a word out before Geno burst over to where Victor stood and held him against the wall.

"You not talk to Jess like that. We are not 'screwing'. I am protecting, from you!" Victor laughed, even as Geno gripped him against the wall.


"Protecting her?" I stood up, still keeping my distance from Victor.

"Victor, we're done. You don't treat me well anymore. You blame me for all of your problems. I should have dumped you the second you laid a hand on me, but I didn't. But now, I'm officially done. Please don't ever speak to me again." Victor's jaw dropped and even Geno looked a little shocked as I spoke so boldly.

"Yeah right, like you're breaking up with me." He laughed again, as Geno looked back at me.

"Let's go talk." He grabbed Victor's arm and walked outside, closing the door behind him. I almost stopped them, but was too emotional to do anything. A few minutes later, Geno returned, walking through the unlocked door and over to where I stood in the middle of the room. "He no bother you anymore."

"Did you hurt him?" I anxiously asked, not wanting anything bad to happen to Geno if someone, god forbid, were to find out that he had done something.

"No, we talked. I almost hurt him, but know that was bad idea. But if he ever come back, I break his legs." I nodded. "Me and friend look out for you so he no come bother you again." I smiled, thankful for all he had done for me.

"Thank you, Geno. Thank you so much." Geno shook his head.

"No problem. But promise to tell Vera. She deserve to know." I nodded, knowing he was telling the truth.

Geno stepped forward, placing his hand on my cheek lightly. He leaned down and kissed me lightly on the lips, quickly but tenderly.

"You deserve to be treated nice. Victor not nice." He paused. "I show you how you should be treated."

I stood on my toes to meet Geno's lips again, putting my hands on his waist as his free hand rested lightly on my shoulder, the other still on my cheek. It was passionate, but not fierce. He was gentle and caring, and after a few minutes we pulled apart, smiles on both of our faces.

"I would like that."

Notes

(Requested by Hockeygirl567)

Real talk, if any of you are in or know anybody in an abusive relationship, please go get help. There are resources all over, and as hard as it may be, it is important to protect yourself. The victim is never at fault, and I want to let each and every one of you know that I love you lots.

Hope you enjoy and please request if you'd like to!