Full chapter title is too long 

To say you loved me all along and kissed the bruises 'til they're gone. Bittersweet, cause I can't breathe inside your arms

!!TW!! 

This chapter has mentions of domestic abuse, if you do not feel comfortable reading this, that is ok.

!!TW!!

Regina's lacrosse game day was always a mix of nerves and excitement. She loved the rush of adrenaline, the thrill of competition, and the camaraderie with her teammates. Today, however, brought an added layer of anticipation as her girlfriend, Aria, would be meeting the team for the first time.

Regina and Aria had been growing closer over the past month and a half. Karen and Gretchen, Regina's closest friends and teammates, had quickly adjusted to Aria's presence—another coat on the hooks, an extra plate at meal times. They were happy for Regina; after all, seeing their friend so content made them content too.

For Regina, the love she shared with Aria was like nothing she had experienced before. It was a whirlwind of emotions, from the rainbows and fireworks when they kissed to the comforting cuddles after a particularly rough day. The happiness Regina felt was palpable, contagious even.

But not everything was perfect. Regina couldn't ignore the signs, the moments when Aria's defensiveness surfaced, especially when the topic of Cady came up. And then there were the times Aria's touch left bruises on Regina's arms, a sharp contrast to the tender affection she showed afterward. Aria assured Regina that it was all out of love, but doubts lingered.

As Regina took to the field, adrenaline coursing through her veins, she stole glances at Aria on the sidelines. Aria's presence should have been comforting, but Regina couldn't shake the unease that had settled in her chest.

After the game, as the team gathered to celebrate their win, Karen and Gretchen approached Regina with warm smiles.

"Great game, Regina!" Karen exclaimed, her eyes scanning the group. "Oh, and there's Aria. Let's introduce her!"

Regina's stomach twisted with nerves, but she nodded. She wanted her friends to like Aria, to see the happiness Regina felt.

Karen and Gretchen led Regina over to where Aria was waiting, a radiant smile on her face.

"Aria, these are my teammates," Regina introduced, pointing at the group of lacrosse players. "And of course you know my roommates and best friends, Karen and Gretchen."

Aria's smile widened as she extended her hand. "Nice to see you guys again."

Karen and Gretchen exchanged polite greetings, but Regina noticed a flicker of uncertainty in their eyes, they always feel awkward around the lacrosse team as they talk a lot about Regina, and its hardly good stuff.

"It's great to see you again." Karen replied, her tone polite yet guarded.

As the conversation continued, Regina couldn't shake the tension that hung in the air. Aria was charming, engaging, but there was an undercurrent that only Regina seemed to sense.

Regina's heart raced with conflicting emotions as she entered her apartment with Aria. Despite the euphoria of the game's victory, a cloud of uncertainty hung over her thoughts. The encounter with Karen and Gretchen left Regina unsettled, she couldn't place what was causing the discomfort because usually the team does cause some, but they seemed worried, and Aria's response only added to her growing doubts.

Sitting down on the couch, Regina tried to compose herself before broaching the subject. Aria sat beside her, radiating warmth and affection, but Regina's mind was preoccupied.

"Aria," Regina began cautiously, "I've been feeling a bit uneasy lately... especially after today."

Aria turned to her, her expression concerned yet masked by a reassuring smile. "What's on your mind, Regina?"

Regina hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's just... Karen and Gretchen seemed a bit off today, didn't they? I can't shake this feeling that something's not quite right."

Aria's smile faltered momentarily before she responded, her voice calm. "Regina, they're just being protective. They care about you, and I understand that. It's natural for friends to be cautious when you're in a new relationship."

Regina nodded slowly, but her doubts persisted. "I know they care about me, but... they know you already and there are other things too, Aria. Like the way you sometimes grab my arms... it leaves bruises, and I know you say it's out of love, but..."

Aria's expression shifted, a mix of surprise and mild irritation crossing her features before she softened her gaze. "Regina, I'm sorry if I've been too rough. You know I would never hurt you intentionally. It's just my way of showing affection sometimes, but I'll be more mindful of it, I promise."

Regina nodded again, though her unease deepened. She appreciated Aria's reassurances, yet the lingering doubts persisted like an itch she couldn't scratch.

As Regina lay in bed later that night, the events of the day replayed in her mind. She felt torn between her love for Aria and the unsettling feeling in her gut. She needed clarity, someone to confide in.

The next morning, Regina decided to reach out to Janis, her trusted confidante.

Dialling Janis's number, Regina's heart raced with anticipation. After a few rings, Janis answered, her voice filled with concern. "Regina, is everything okay?"

Regina took a deep breath, her voice steady yet laced with uncertainty. "Janis, I need to talk to you... about Aria."

Janis listened intently as Regina shared her concerns—the bruises, Karen and Gretchen's reaction, and the underlying unease she couldn't shake.

After a moment of silence, Janis spoke with gentle seriousness. "Regina, trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, it's important to address it. Your friends care about you, and so do I. Let's figure this out together."

Regina felt a wave of relief wash over her, grateful for Janis's unwavering support. With a newfound sense of determination, she knew she needed to confront her doubts and find clarity, even if it meant facing uncomfortable truths about her relationship with Aria.

As Regina hung up the phone, a mix of apprehension and resolve settled within her. She was determined to navigate the uncertainties ahead and prioritize her own well-being, no matter the outcome. With her friends' and Janis's support, Regina felt empowered to face the truth, whatever it might be.

As the evening descended on Regina on a normal Tuesday night, Regina found herself immersed in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She desperately wanted to believe that everything was fine—that her fears were merely the product of an overactive imagination or unwarranted paranoia. Aria had been nothing but loving and attentive, showering Regina with affection and professing her devotion at every turn.

Yet, beneath the surface, doubts festered like hidden shadows in the depths of her mind. Regina couldn't shake the image of the bruises on her arms, the slight tremor in Karen and Gretchen's voices when they spoke about Aria. Was she reading too much into things? Was her happiness clouding her judgment?

As Regina prepared for bed, she pushed the unsettling thoughts aside, determined to silence the nagging voice of doubt. Maybe she was being overly cautious, too quick to question the sincerity of Aria's affection. After all, relationships had their ups and downs, right? Love wasn't always perfect; sometimes, it required patience and understanding.

The following days passed in a haze of routine and fleeting moments of joy with Aria. Regina immersed herself in her studies, in lacrosse practice, and in stolen moments of intimacy with her girlfriend. Each time a shadow of doubt crept into her thoughts, Regina forced herself to focus on the positive—the warmth of Aria's smile, the tenderness of her touch.

But beneath the surface, tension simmered like a dormant volcano waiting to erupt. Regina's friends, despite their attempts to be supportive, couldn't fully dispel the unease that gnawed at her heart. She brushed off their concerns, assuring them and herself that everything was fine, that she was happy.

Then came the night when everything changed.

Regina had returned home from practice; her body weary but her spirits high from the day's achievements. Aria was waiting for her, a dazzling smile on her face that momentarily eclipsed Regina's lingering doubts. They shared a meal, exchanged affectionate gestures, and settled on the couch in comfortable silence.

But as the night wore on, the atmosphere shifted imperceptibly. Aria's tone became terse, her smiles strained. Regina sensed the change but couldn't pinpoint the cause. Was it something she had said? Something left unsaid?

Then, in a sudden burst of anger, Aria's demeanor transformed. The warmth in her eyes turned to icy fury, and Regina's heart plummeted with dread.

"You never listen to me, Regina!" Aria's voice was sharp, laced with venom.

Regina recoiled, the air thick with tension. "Aria, what's wrong? Please, talk to me."

But Aria's rage escalated, her words cutting like knives. "You're so blind, so selfish! I've had enough of this!"

Regina's mind raced, confusion and fear mingling with disbelief. This wasn't the Aria she knew—the loving, attentive girlfriend who had filled her days with happiness.

And then it happened.

In a moment of unbridled anger, Aria's hand lashed out, striking Regina with a force that left her stunned and breathless. Pain seared through her, both physical and emotional, as the harsh reality crashed down around her.

Regina's doubts were no longer whispers in the wind; they were tangible, undeniable truths. Aria's facade had shattered, revealing a darker, volatile side that Regina had refused to acknowledge until now.

As Regina recoiled from the blow, tears stinging her eyes, she realized that she could no longer ignore the signs. The bruises, the tension, the unease—all had led to this moment of reckoning.

"Get out" Regina's voice shakes, she's holding back tears. Aria looks like she's going to say something else but the noise of a car outside breaks her thoughts and she leaves quickly.

In the silence that followed, Regina's resolve crystallized like a diamond forged under pressure. She deserved better than this. She deserved love that didn't come with pain and fear.

With trembling hands, Regina reached for her phone, her heart heavy but resolute. She knew what she had to do—to seek help, to confide in her friends, to reclaim her sense of self-worth.

As she dialled Janis's number, Regina's voice trembled with raw emotion. "Janis, it's me... I need your help." 

Fix this chapter because a lovely reader informed me that I made an oopsie. Also sorry for not updating, i'm working on it.