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.

off.” Tori poked at my

could feel my jaw clench as I untied my shoelaces. Every little movement made my ankle throb, and I was beginning to worry something was actually wrong with

of my cheek. I let my eyes flicker down warily, and they nearly

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

over her mouth, “And this happened when

let out a hiss of pain when Tori gently lifted my

tripped over something and fell down the stairs.

to go to a hospital.” Tori gave me a hard stare, glancing down at my

I turned my head away from her intense

your face, Aurora?”

painful even when I touched it. I

do you

floor, placing

my lips as my eyes trailed over the side of

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

I fell.” I shrugged, my eyes flickering from

better’, my conscience was

to a hospital.” Tori nodded with finality and I sputtered for

back on,

to my swollen cheek, and back to my eyes. I could 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

doctor.” Tori crossed her arms, “He has an office here

shook my head. I slipped my shoe back on through clenched teeth and went to

and wrapped

pay for anything.” Tori sighed impatiently, helping

afraid of doctors and hospitals.” I hissed through clenched

brain even contemplated just running away from Tori. Even

Social Services, and another agent would come out and “investigate”. Melissa would clean up her act and pretend to be the

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

was practically panting as we made it to the

my side, and I grimaced. She hit the exact spot I slammed against the tub, but there was no way

gosh, what happened to Aurora?” Tori’s Mom poked her head from the kitchen, her concerned eyes locked on Tori and

weary smile. The concern in her voice hit me

gave me a pointed look before she turned her gaze back to her Mom. “I’m

Tori’s Mom nodded, a frown formed on her face. “Do you girls

got her.” Tori shook her head, practically propping me against her as she

Mom.” I gave her a small

dear.” Tori’s Mom smiled softly as we walked

supported most of my

ran cold when a familiar

what happened?” Kade’s rough voice called out

Kade strolled up to Tori and I. Alec followed behind his brother. The

Alec frowned, glancing at his

absolutely g*d-like,

button down shirt which was rolled up to his elbows. My eyes couldn’t help but flicker over his muscular vein filled forearms.

in. A clear image of Grace in Kade’s arms sent jealousy flooding through me,

two of them by surprise. Their widened eyes made

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