Tangled Love

I turn the shower off and pause for a moment, closing my eyes. Lately everything around me has been moving at lightning speed so a taking a second or two to collect my thoughts makes me feel better. I step out of the shower and notice my phone screen flashing with numerous messages. I reach over and pick it up, reading the first message —

Where the hell are you Emily ? Mum

I quickly type out a response, my features scrunched up in frustration at the screen —

I've left home. Im not living with Trevor or you anymore. Bye Mum.

It's nice to regain control of my life after having it spin out of control for so long. I hope Mum understands that I'm doing this for myself and my safety. The next message is from an unknown number and I pause, a familiar feeling of dread washing over me.

You need a man to love you Emily, not a little boy.

I sigh heavily, feeling the pressure building up inside my head as a headache begins to brew.

Who are you? GO AWAY.

I hesitate before sending the text, uncertain whether I'm making the right decision. Should I completely ignore him or show him that I'm not scared? I send the text and don't expect his response to be almost immediate but it is.

It is not the right time. I will never go away. . . Not until you're mine.

shudder at his words that are borderline psychotic stalker behaviour. I turn my phone off and push him to the back of my mind. No way do

blow dry my hair and secure it into a high ponytail. I step into my fluffy bedtime slippers and head downstairs for a warm glass of milk

warm arms wrap around my waist from behind. I jump a little before realising who it is. His scent wraps

beautiful," Jake murmurs down my ear. I bite back the smile and turn around, looking up

Melvin." I smile sweetly at him. His eyes flash with amusement before raking down my body and back up again.

when you're covered in bright pink love hearts."

milk from

I whine in protest, shoving him lightly. He gives me an apologetic

themselves you know." He winks, flexing his right arm. The muscles in his

thing that shoots right up when you're around."

open as I stare wide eyed at Jake. He shrugs casually in response, his lips twitching upwards into

"You need Jesus!" I yell after him, reaching for the milk to heat another glassful. His

bedroom door causes me to jump up out of bed, my sleepy state slowly disappearing. My watch reads midnight and I frown, thinking everyone must be sleeping by now. I pull open the door and find Jake leaning against my door frame, fully dressed. He's wearing a plain white shirt underneath his black bomber jacket, finished off with black jeans. I can't help but bite down on my lower lip . . . How does he manage to look so good at

I resemble a potato. A potato in pyjama's.

He lifts a finger to his lips, shushing me before entering my room. I take a step back and swallow, watching as he quietly shuts my bedroom door over before spinning

it's midnight. Are you

take you somewhere." Jake replies, leaning back against my door with his hands stuffed inside his pockets. My eyebrows shoot up in surprise and I bite down on my lower lip. "Where

surprise Muffin, get dressed." Jake instructs me, pushing his hand through the strands of his soft dark hair.