Tangled Love

I grimace at the sight of me in the mirror. Dark deep bags circled underneath my eyes and my skin is blotchy and red with a pale undertone. I look unhealthily skinny due to my weight dropping vastly in the past few weeks. When I stretch, my ribs stick out sorely and I clench my teeth tightly, a glossy sheen covering my eyes. I look a mess.

The bandage still covers my gun wound and I don't dare remove it to unveil the ugly scar that lies beneath. I hear a knock on my door and I grab my bath robe, pulling it around me.

"Come in," I say quietly, taking a seat on my bed. The door opens and Pops glances around the door, giving me a small smile.

"Sleep well princess?" He asks me and I nod tightly, feeling terrible for lying to him.

"Good. Emily, you need to attend school today," he says and I groan, throwing a hand over my eyes. I'd completely forgotten about college. The thought of education right now is not appealing in any way, shape or form.

"Can I have the day off please?" I ask him, feeling my stomach tighten further knowing I have a chance of running into Jake. Right now, I want to avoid everyone, curl up in bed and watch Disney movies with a jar of Nutella.

"No Elly, you need to go to school," he sighs, opening the door a little wider. I nod grimly, knowing he's right. I can't hide away forever, no matter how heartbroken I feel right now. I give him a small smile —

ready in

bed, my body instantly sinking into the warm covers. I nibble on my bottom lip as I try to figure out a way I can avoid Jake. I

our friendship will go in the same direction. I view her as a sister

pulling myself up off the bed an wince a little as a sharp pain jolts through my stomach. Take it easy. The doctors exact

 The irony. . .

taking

My thoughts turn back to Jake as I search for an outfit through my little belongings. I can't believe how icy

facade is a genuinely lovely, caring person and that's the boy I'd fallen so deeply in love with. Not the dangerous scary bad boy that had the town shake in

I refuse to believe them. . . Maybe because I didn't want

It's who I am.

a black hoodie that hung low ending just above my knees. Underneath I wear denim jeans with some black converse. My hair is pulled into a high ponytail and I wear little makeup, only using it to attempt to cover up my

deeply as I look in the mirror of the college bathrooms. I still resemble a sleep deprived zombie and my eyes are as puffed up as

for my first lesson as the bell rings, signalling the start of the day. My feet drag against the floor and I feel exhausted, physically

apologise quietly, shrinking myself against