I followed Tori into her house, my ankle absolutely screaming in protest. I could in the short time I’d been hanging out with Tori, my ankle had swelled up considerably.

I tried to cover my horrendous limp, but the sharp pain shooting up my leg made it difficult.

“Are you limping?” Tori frowned, her eyes locked on my injured ankle.

“It’s nothing.” I shrugged, “I fell earlier and must’ve twisted it.”

I hadn’t much experience with lying, but I hoped I had enough skill to fool Tori. My heart was thundering in my chest from the simple lie and Tori stood quietly for a few moments. The more seconds that passed in silence, the faster my heart began to beat.

“You should let me wrap it.” Tori pursed her lips, she didn’t look fooled, “It’ll hurt less to walk on.”

I contemplated that for a few moments and nodded in defeat. I could easily cover up a twisted ankle. A simple fall would be the perfect excuse. She knew how clumbsy I was, so it was no wonder I somehow managed to fall.

“Wait here.” Tori called out over her shoulder as she walked down the hall on the first floor.

Tori came back a few moments later with a first aid kit in hand.

“I’m gonna help you up the stairs to my bedroom.” Tori nodded, her lips still pursed.

“It’s alright, I can get up the stairs.” I mumbled, sulking past her.

I gritted my teeth and held in a hiss of pain as I pulled myself up each step. Tori was completely silent behind me. It was clear she wasn’t buying my story about falling. My heart hammered in response. The last thing I needed was for someone to report Frank and Melissa for abuse. They wouldn’t find any proof, and the accusation would only p**s the two of them off.

Tori pointed at a door down the hall, and I let her take the lead.

Her room was huge, full of fuzzy pillows and plush carpets. I plopped down on a couch she had in her room, pushed up against the wall.

I looked around in amazement as Tori pulled out a thick looking wrap. I had never seen a room so huge, or so decorated. Her room looked more like a suite. A four poster bed sat across the room, a white comforter sat on top with tons of fuzzy white and purple pillows. It looked like one of those bedrooms you see in an interior design magazine.

“Your room is amazing.” I gaped, hoping to change the subject.

“Mom’s an interior designer.” Tori grinned. “She went crazy with the entire house.”

“Well that explains it.” I chuckled, “Send her over to my house sometime.”

I clamped my lips shut hastily, hoping I hadn’t implied anything strange. If I had, Tori didn’t seem to notice.

“How’s renovations going over at your place?” Tori looked up and smiled.

“Their going- good, great really.” I shrugged, “Just fixing up the bathrooms and kitchen.”

“Maybe you could stay the night sometime.” Tori smiled, something flashed across her eyes but was gone before I could identify it.

“Maybe!” I grinned back. “Any night is fine with me.”

“Your parents don’t care if you stay over on a school night?” Tori inquired, her eyebrow raised curiously.

“Not really.” I shook my head, “Melissa kinda let’s me do my own thing.”

The voice in my head groaned. By trying to remain relaxed, I was simply attracting more unwanted attention. I was truly horrible at keeping anything a secret.

shoe off.” Tori poked

as I untied my shoelaces. Every little movement made my ankle throb,

gasp had me gnawing on the inside of my cheek. I let my eyes flicker down warily, and they nearly bulged out of my head as I took in the state of my

and purple intertwined and mixed on my foot like an art palette.

placed her hand over her

gritted my teeth together and let out a hiss of pain when Tori gently

fell down the

to a hospital.” Tori gave me a

stomach, and I turned my head away from her

to your face, Aurora?” Tori’s tone

was definitely sore, painful even when I touched it. I couldn’t tell if it

do you mean?”

from the floor, placing

my eyes trailed over the side

swollen, not horribly but enough to draw plenty of unwanted attention. The skin around it was turning a deep

hit my face when I fell.” I shrugged, my eyes flickering from Tori’s to

conscience was

get you to a hospital.” Tori nodded with finality and I

my head, reaching down to pull my sock back on, “I don’t have insurance and Mel- my family doesn’t have

practically see the gears in her head turning. Any second now, I expected steam to erupt from her ears. Her hair was such a bright red, it already looked like

Tori crossed her arms, “He has

my head. I slipped my shoe

and wrapped an arm

to pay for anything.” Tori sighed impatiently,

kind of afraid of doctors and

contemplated just running away from Tori. Even if I somehow managed to get far on my busted ankle, I

Child abuse would get reported to Social Services, and another agent would come out and “investigate”. Melissa would clean up her act and pretend to be the caring and dutiful

about you.” Tori grimaced, “You’re going to the d**n Doctor’s. I’ll carry you if

might need to.” I hissed, my strength was quickly waning. I was practically panting as we made it to the bot5tom of

I grimaced. She hit the exact spot I slammed against the tub, but there

gosh, what happened to Aurora?” Tori’s Mom poked her head from

weary smile. The concern in her voice hit

a pointed look before she turned her gaze back to her Mom.

on her

her head, practically propping me against her as she opened the

a small smile, ignoring the thundering

smiled softly as we

most of

ran cold when

Kade’s rough voice called out

Kade strolled up to Tori and I. Alec followed behind his brother. The two guys they had driven home with stood off to the

alright?” Alec frowned,

two of them looked absolutely g*d-like,

wore his typical black t-shirt and a leather jacket, his chocolate hair a tousled mess on his head. Kade wore a black button down shirt which was rolled up to his elbows.

in. A clear image of Grace in Kade’s arms sent jealousy flooding through me, and allowed me to take control

two of them by surprise. Their widened eyes made me feel smug, and I tried not to

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