Tangled Love

I turn the key slowly in the front door, my heart pounding as I push it open. Silence comes from inside and I breathe out a sigh of relief before stepping inside. I don't dare slow down and risk Mum or Trevor spotting me in last nights clothes. I make a beeline for the stairs, taking them two at a time.

"Emily? Is that you?" Mum's voice fills the air and I ignore her, pushing through my bedroom door and locking it behind me. I hear her walking up the stairs, her voice lined with confusion.

"Emily? What are you doing?"

I quickly tear off my clothes, dropping them to the floor.

"I'm in the shower! I'll be just a minute!" I yell back at her, heading for my bathroom. I turn the shower on and step inside, grabbing my shampoo to get rid of last night's scent.

Ten minutes later and I'm squeaky clean, smelling of sweet vanilla. I wrap a towel around my body and search through my wardrobe, picking out my white cashmere jumper and denim jeans. My hair is falling freely on my shoulders and I begin to tackle it with my hairdryer, my arms aching from the strain. The bruises on my body are slowly healing . . . slowly being the key word.

I apply some concealer underneath my eyes, covering the dark bags. I choose a pale pink lipgloss and a nude eyeshadow, finishing off the look with some mascara. After I'm content with my appearance I reach Jake's note on my dressing table. A smile immediately stretches across my face and I'm unable to ignore the excitement inside my stomach.

Meet me at two in the park.

my bottom lip, re-reading the note over and over again before realising

admit it. . . I have a crush

town's bad

to remember the moment forever. I sigh knowing I'll have to put my feelings aside for Jake.

truth but part of me feels vulnerable,

now," I murmur, resting my head in my hands.

*****

nails a bright red. I glance at the clock and groan, I have twenty more minutes to kill before I can try to sneak out

I grab my leather jacket and pull it on, deciding I can't wait any longer. I unlock my bedroom door and peek out, listening

step. I've learned over the years which steps creak and which are safe so by now, I'm a professional. My heart begins to race as I see the

somewhere?"

is icy and low. I turn slowly and smiled falsely at him, avoiding looking him in the eyes.

the library to

the scent of smoke and alcohol immediately slapping me in the fact. I

no books, you liar!" Trevor hisses at me. His eyes scan my body from head to toe and his lips turn up into