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

little movement made my ankle throb,

startled gasp had me gnawing on the inside of my cheek. I let my eyes flicker down warily,

of black and purple intertwined and mixed on my foot like an art palette. This was definitely more than a twisted

over her

let out a hiss of pain when Tori gently lifted

nodded, “I tripped over something and fell down the stairs. I didn’t think it was

gave me a hard stare, glancing down at my

my stomach, and I turned

your face, Aurora?”

even when I touched it. I couldn’t tell if

you mean?” I

floor, placing a compact mirror in my

my eyes

but enough to draw plenty of unwanted attention.

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

better’, my conscience was

hospital.” Tori nodded with finality and I sputtered for

pull my sock back on, “I don’t have

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

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

can’t afford that.” I shook my head. I slipped my

way and wrapped

for anything.” Tori

doctors and hospitals.” I hissed through

grasping at straws. Some primitive part of my brain even contemplated just running away from

and pretend to be

I care about you.” Tori grimaced, “You’re going to

I hissed, my strength was quickly waning. I was practically panting as we made

exact spot I

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

concern in her voice hit me hard, something I had never

hurt her ankle earlier.” Tori gave me a pointed look before she turned her gaze

Tori’s Mom nodded, a frown formed on

her head, practically propping me against her as she

her a small smile, ignoring the

me Olivia, dear.” Tori’s Mom smiled softly as we

but Tori supported most of my weight on her

blood ran cold when a

called out from the blue house next

shut as Kade strolled up to Tori and I. Alec followed behind his brother. The two guys they had driven home

alright?” Alec frowned,

them looked absolutely g*d-like, but

a tousled 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

from the twins, and I had nearly given in. A clear image of Grace in Kade’s arms sent jealousy flooding through me, and allowed me to take control of my hectic emotions. And to think I was going to give into their

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

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