Tami

Tami loves her boyfriend very much, that's why she let's him hurt her.

Tami wasn't a perfect girl, she wasn't your typical skinny, pretty girl or anything. She wasn't fat or over weigth either, but still, she was very insecure.

That's why Tami was so happy when Jake had asked her out. He was perfect in any way imaginable for Tami. He was funny, sweet, respectful, and the two had kind of an eye out for each other.

Tami tried to lose weight, but Jake told her he loved her just the way she was.

...and she loved him even more.

One day, on their tenth date, Tami was sitting in the car with Jake. They were eating McDonalds. Tami giggled while sipping her coke, she was listening to the radio while Jake was talking on his cell phone. She could hear some curses, but she didn't really give a second thought.

Suddenly, Jake slammed his cell phone down, causing Tami to jump and drop her coke.

Jake cursed about the fallen drink and ordered Tami to pick it up. Tami did as she was told and whiped the seat clean. Then, getting up and throwing the coke away.

When Tami got back in the car, Jake started to tell her how clumsy she was. Tami laughed it off, and playfully smacked Jake on the shoulder, telling him that if he did not scare her, she wouldn't have dropped the drink. Which Tami thought was very true, indeed.

In a flash, Jake's hand bolted out and slammed against Tami's cheek. He looked at the frightened teen with dark eyes and spoke in a voice barely a whisper, but Tami could hear every word clearly.

"Don't you fucking blame this on me."

After that, he seemed to hit her every so often. When she was with another guy, she was apparently, flirting. When she was late to his house, she was being "suspicious", and almost every thing that made Tami want to scream and cry.

Jake didn't always abuse her, though.

He would kindly stroke her hair while she sat on his lap reading a book, he paid for their food, and fixed ehr car. It was hard to believe it was the same guy that would give her the little bruises on her arms and legs.

Tami wears long elave shirts and jeans now. Tami doesn't like the feel when the jeans rub against her bruises when she walks, but she does so anyways.

Then, that one fateful, moment, that one second that seemed to be out of place, happened. As Jake assaulted Tami, he was seen by one of the students behind the High School. Immediately, Jake was taken into custody for abuse.

He was given a trial, apparently, Jake was having trouble with his family. Jake was adoptive, so of course his family treated him well, but when Jake was younger, his real father would take to physical abuse and his mother wouldn't do anything to stop it.

Tami was interviewed for a teen magazine.

Magazine: So uhm, to conclude our magazine interview. Tami, tell us why did not tell the authorities about Jake's behavior?

Tami: I was a very insecure person when I met Jake, and still am, I think. Jake somehow, made me feel happy, loved. He made me think, "Wow, he could have anyone in the world, but he chose me."

Magazine: Pretty deep, I still would have turned him in, though.

Tami: I still wouldn't have if the student hadn't have seen me. I wouldn't turn Jake in, because...

Magazine: "Because?"

Tami: I...I loved him.

Argh. Reminded me too much of "DreamLand" by Sarah Dessen. I still loved this though.

Oh yeah, my "dramatic quote".

Amazing, what lengths a person will go to if they love someone.