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

clench as I untied my shoelaces. Every little movement made my

I peeled my sock off. Tori’s startled gasp had me gnawing on the inside of my cheek. I let

like a d**n balloon. Splotches of black and purple intertwined and mixed on my foot like an art palette. This was definitely more

Tori placed her hand over her mouth,

let out a hiss of pain when Tori

down the stairs. I didn’t think

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

in my stomach, and I turned

to your face, Aurora?” Tori’s tone was blank,

It was definitely sore, painful even when I touched it. I

do you mean?”

huffed and got up from the floor, placing a compact

eyes

plenty of unwanted attention. The skin

shrugged, my eyes flickering from Tori’s

conscience was

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

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

purple foot, 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

arms, “He has an

can’t afford that.” I shook my head. I slipped my shoe back on through clenched teeth and went to

met me half way and

to pay for anything.” Tori

afraid of doctors and hospitals.” I hissed through clenched

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

agent would come out and “investigate”. Melissa would clean up her act and pretend to be the caring and dutiful mother. Once the Social Worker found no proof, they’d leave me with an extremely pissed off Melissa and Frank. See? No happy ending in sight. My happy ending was graduating Highschool and getting

Tori grimaced, “You’re going to the d**n

quickly waning. I was practically panting as we made it to

exact spot I slammed against the tub, but there was no way I’d make

head from the kitchen, her concerned eyes locked on Tori and

concern in her

a pointed look before she turned her gaze back

formed on her face. “Do you

head, practically propping me

gave her a small smile, ignoring the

Mom smiled softly as we

it, but Tori supported most of my weight on

blood ran cold when a

voice called out from the blue

and I. Alec followed behind his brother. The two guys they had driven

she alright?” Alec frowned, glancing at

of them looked absolutely

mess on his head. Kade wore a black button down shirt which was rolled up to his elbows. My eyes couldn’t help but flicker over his muscular vein filled forearms. The two of them were

in Kade’s arms sent jealousy flooding through me, and allowed me to take control of my

two of them by surprise. Their widened eyes made me feel smug, and I tried

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