This is my first time telling this story. It's been almost exactly one year, so, why the hell not.

I had a nice relationship for a few years. A red flag here and there, but I ignored those. "It could never happen to /me/. I'm smarter than that, better than that. I could never be stuck in an abusive relationship", I thought to myself. I was wrong. Things spiraled out of control for a few months, a threat here and there, throwing a plate or cup when mad. He'd break things when angry, tell me he'd kill himself if I ever left him. It was so textbook, but I couldn't leave - I really did love him. But then he finally escalated. One concussion and large emergency room bill later, I had to figure out a way to leave without him ever coming back to harm me. It took me a year to finally leave.

But that's not the cruelest thing that ever happened to me.

When I finally got away from him, my friends took his side. They revealed my whereabouts, who I was crashing with, my plans. Nearly ruined my escape.

They even moved in with him, though he started to show his true colors after a while living with them, and they're having quite a terrible time now. He's up to his old destructive habits.

It taught me a lot about trust. That concussion opened my eyes. I still have the hospital bracelet. I see my friends from time to time, but I never open up too much. They chose to be with a person who destroyed me with no regard for the consequences of his actions. When I do encounter them, for a few moments, I forget.. I'll laugh at their jokes, have a genuine conversation for a few minutes, but then I remember.

I'm better now, if anyone is curious. I'm happy. A bit lonely, but I have two people I can trust.