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.

a date? I nibble on my bottom lip, re-reading the note over and over again before realising meeting Jake at the park definitely doesn't sound like a date. I sigh unhappily, feeling disappointment settle inside my stomach.

. . I have a crush on Jake Melvin.

The town's bad boy.

the skin, wanting to remember the moment forever. I sigh

everything about Trevor. I have to admit it's good to finally expose the truth but part of me feels vulnerable, scared of what Trevor will do if he knows I've confided

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

*****

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

wishing it'll be simple to leave. I grab my leather jacket and pull it on, deciding I

tip toe down the stairs, avoiding the creaky 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 living room door wide open but there's no sight or sound of Trevor. I'm just about to open the front door when he appears out of nowhere —

"Going somewhere?"

tone is icy and low. I turn slowly and smiled falsely at him, avoiding

the library to study for exams."

alcohol immediately slapping me in the fact. I grimace, unable to hide the disgust on my

Trevor hisses at me. His eyes scan my body from head to toe and his lips turn up into a sick sneer.