Trigger Warning: Abuse

Peggy

"Where's...Maria?" I asked, trying to ignore the pain in my head as almost everybody in the room burst into tears. I knew they'd been upset day in and day out, I could hear them and feel them but it was as if I was just in a veil of blackness. I felt like I was drowning but I knew I had to find Maria, I would continue her lie of us getting jumped because I wouldn't dare put her in a position she didn't want to be in. Not to mention she lied to the hospital and law enforcement so I don't know if that could get her in trouble so I swallowed it, "Where's my phone? I-I want to text her."

I struggled to sit up, Angelica helped me and then handed me my phone. I could see notifications going off in the group chat so I knew somebody had told them I was awake.

Peggle: Maria?

RedHotMaria: Peggy???

Peggle: Yeah so I'm awake. Surprise! And I won't tell.

RedHotMaria: Thank you so much

I didn't want the conversation to end just yet, I needed to know she was okay. She needed to get away from James as soon as possible.

Peggle: So...

Peggle: How has your day been so far?

RedHotMaria: Eh but better now that I know you're okay!

Peggle: Eh?

A few minutes of no response and I felt myself grow worried. I knew Eliza and Angelica and Tori were watching me with confused faces, maybe even concerned, but Maria was my priority right now.

Peggle: Maria?

Even more time passed and I felt like leaving the hospital to see if she was okay.

Peggle: Maria are you still there?

RedHotMaria: Yeah sorry

Peggle: Are you okay?

RedHotMaria: mhmm

Peggle: Maria.

RedHotMaria: I'm fine

Peggle: Did James hit you again?

RedHotMaria: What? It was just once. That was the only time.

Peggle: I know he's been hurting you. I saw bruises everyday but I brushed it off because you're quite a clumsy person so I'm so so sorry. I'm worried about you.

RedHotMaria: ...

RedHotMaria: He doesn't like it when I text you.

RedHotMaria: He think you're trying to "take me away" or something

RedHotMaria: He hits me a lot and yells at me and tells me I belong to him no matter what but what the fuck can I do?

RedHotMaria: If I try to run away he'll kill me

RedHotMaria: He'll rape me again

RedHotMaria: I'm so scared I just want to get away with Susan but I can't.

I didn't know how to respond to all of these messages. I knew she was crying, I just knew it, and I was going to as well. I didn't know the extent of the abuse, I didn't know he'd done that to her, how could I not have known? I always thought they were a little unhealthy, I always thought they weren't compatible...why didn't I step up? I should've been there for her but I failed at it. I let her stay in harm's way.

Peggle: Where is he?

RedHotMaria: He's in bed I had to have sex with him to keep him from hitting me again. I'm next to him. It's terrifying, Peggy.

Peggle: Your dorm?

RedHotMaria: I'm not allowed in his dorm.

Peggle: Pack a bag. Now. I'm coming.

RedHotMaria: What?

Peggle: I'm saving you

RedHotMaria: No! He'll hurt you again.

Peggle: You don't deserve to live like this

RedHotMaria: Please rethink...

Peggle: I love you! I've loved you for so long and I refuse to let somebody continue to hurt you!

I didn't realize what I'd typed until it was too late. Now I watched the three dots that indicated Maria was typing with the most anxiety I've ever experienced in my life.

RedHotMaria: You love me?

I wish we were having this conversation in person. I wish I could talk to her face to face and hug her and tell her how much I love her but there wasn't a choice for that anymore.

Peggle: Yes! I want to kiss you and hold you and your beautiful hands! I want to do so much more! You're so pretty and nice! I fucking love you, Maria!

RedHotMaria: ok

RedHotMaria: I'll pack a bag

RedHotMaria: Thank you Peggy. For everything.

RedHotMaria: I love you too

I got up and pulled the IVs out as my sisters tried to restrain me, "Whoa Peggy! What're you doing? What's so important you have to leave right now?" Angelica asked as they struggled against my grip on the window sill.

"Love!" I yelled and dropped to my knees to get out of their arms before taking off. I ran as fast as I could, I didn't even care that I was still in a hospital gown, Maria was one of the most important things in my life and I was going to reach her.

Maria

I slipped from the covers as quietly as I could and found my clothes, putting them on as I felt disgusted with my body for how I used it to get out of trouble. I slipped my phone into my pocket and got two bags, it was really just two of those drawstring bags you get from the student orientation of the college.

Slowly so it was silent I opened the closet door and got out as much of my stuff as would fit into the bag as I knew I wouldn't be coming back here for awhile. When the first bag was full I took the other and put as much of Susan's stuff as I could in the second before pulling both the bags on and grabbing Susan's diaper bag. It was a bit heavy and hard to keep on because three bags was a lot on my shoulders but I managed. I slowly picked Susan up, she was asleep in her crib, I put a binkie in her mouth so she wouldn't cry and wake up her father.

I carefully put Susan down in her carrier and buckled her in, putting a blanket over her and putting a few extra things around her for more stuff as it was just wasted space. I took one last look into my room and just barely remembered my phone charger.

I then slipped from the dorm with Susan and ran to the elevators as fast as I could, the thought of James waking up and running after me was what kept my this light on my feet. I ran in and pressed the floor to the ground level, spamming the button to close the doors until they did with a sigh of relief.

RedHotMaria: Are you here? I'm scared but I'm going to the parking lot

Peggle: I'll be there in a red truck

RedHotMaria: ok

I put the phone back in my pocket and smiled at Susan, "It's okay baby mommy finally did something good is all. We won't see the bad man ever again." I picked the carrier up when the elevator dinged and I legged it to the parking lot, the thought of James scared the fuck out of me still. I saw a red truck pulling in and Peggy with her face still bandaged and still obviously in a hospital gown as she stopped right beside me.

With shaking fingers I put Susan in the back and strapped her carrier in with the seat belt as secure as any expect and shut the door before getting into the passenger seat. As soon as I was in Peggy hugged me tightly and I froze for a moment, "I'm so glad you're okay." She whispered, her hand holding the back of my head.

"I-I am too but can we leave? I'm still scared." I told her and she nodded. We separated from the hug and I buckled up as she took off. I watched the road before asking, "Wait don't you not have a driver's license? How can you drive so well?"

"I don't know," Peggy replied honestly, "I'm sort of scared. I've never done this before but I'm just imagining it like Mario Kart and it's been smooth sailing so far. I probably gave everybody who was in my room a panic though because I didn't even explain I just ran and stole Herc's car as he pulled in and hazzah here I am." She explained, sort of going on a tangent but that was fine.

"Hercules Mulligan?" I asked and she nodded. I knew that man, he was nice as far as I could tell, "Where are we going?"

"A friend's place," Peggy said instantly, "You can stay with him, he won't mind, he sort of takes everybody in." I raised an eyebrow in confusion, "His name's George Washington." I knew that man as well, he was a politician, to say I was surprised was an understatement, "Maria do you want to be with me?" She asked as she parked in front of a large house.

I stared at the house I assumed to be our destination before it hit me what she had asked, "Wh-What?"

Peggy looked sort of desperate and she continued, "I-I mean you don't have to. I understand if you need time but I really like you so I-" I decided to cut her off with a soft kiss, the first one I've ever wanted to give willingly in my life. She responded almost instantly though I could tell she was shy as she kissed me.

When she pulled away we just stared at each other in silence, absolutely breathless, until I smiled and said, "I um...want to be your girlfriend." I told her and reached over to take her hand, ignoring the bruises on the back of mine, "If you want to be mine."

Peggy nodded quickly, "Y-Yeah I do! I really do." She then glanced at the house, "We should go see Mr Washington though. We can walk about this later but-but you're my girlfriend don't-don't think I'm saying no I just-I just want you to meet him so he can help you and stuff." She was so romantically nervous it was so cute, especially in stark contrast to the texts she sent me.

I nodded, "Of course."