Tangled Love

"Emily, the police are here."

Police? Why? What have I done?

I wake from my hazy sleep and roll over, finding myself falling through the air. I let out a small yelp and land hard onto the cold floor with a thud.

"Urgh, that hurt." I groan, turning to look up at an amused Jake who was chuckling quietly, stood in my doorway.

"Get up Muffin, they want to speak to you," he says, running a hand through his hair.

"What do I say Jake?" I whisper loudly at him, panicking. Jake shrugs as if it's obvious.

"Tell them the truth."

"I thought we were going to take care of it?" I ask, confused.

"Yeah, we are going to take care of it. The police can't provide you with much safety Muffin, they're useless. Tell them why you moved here, say you don't want to press charges against Trevor and that you refuse to go back. That should do it."

He holds out a hand and I gratefully take it, groaning as Jake helps me to my feet.

"You'll be fine" he whispers, before kissing the top of my head. I nod against his chest, feeling panic and worry settle inside me. I run a hand through my hair in an attempt to make myself look more presentable.

"I'll be five minutes" I mumble, heading for the bathroom. Jake nods before quickly grabbing hold of my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

let them know about us." Jake clears

police don't like me. They'll try to warn you off me and possibly say I influenced you in your decision to leave him." Jake scratches the back of his neck awkwardly before giving me a reassuring smile. I

Emily, don't screw this up.

*****

two female police officers who are looking at me, waiting for an answer. One of them with blonde hair tied back into a small bun is writing

"Can you give me an example of what he would do Emily?" the older police officer asks. I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. I over at Jake who was sat on the arm of the couch silently, his jaw

I'm down and then kick me repeatedly, he's fractured my bones, he pulls out clumps of my hair and he bruises my entire body beside my face." I answer weakly, feeling

I comment, glancing at the officer who

step father abused you for years without anyone batting an eyelid wasn't an easy thing to do. It makes me feel weak, helpless. I now know I should have done more to stop it but I'm still classed as a child, home is home. I didn't have anywhere else to go, anyone to turn to. My family are distanced away from me

The officer responds softly. I shake my head glancing at Jake again,

I respond

me, glancing between Jake and I suspiciously. It's the first time she's spoken and I know she doesn't believe my truth.

press charges, that's my decision. I'm safe here." I gesture around the room and she

"So what's your relationship with Jake Melvin?" She asks, totally off topic. I look at

friend," I respond confidently, my

can see straight through me. I hear Jake cough and

friends with me Helen?" Jake asks coldly, tilting his head at the

replies tightly, lying through her teeth. Her jaw is clenched and I sense her and Jake have previous history. Jake smirks at her, bouncing forward and back on

need for that question?" Jake continues. Helen sighs, admitting defeat. She ignores Jake and turns to face me. 

choose

frown settles on my face and I narrow my eyes at her, standing up.

who I'm friends with, not yours. He's a good friend to me, he let me stay here to keep me safe. He's done more for me than you probably ever will. You're here to talk about Trevor, not Jake. So I'd like to stick to the

him smirking from the corner of my eye at my response. Helen's face is now raging, her jaw clenched firmly. She definitely isn't happy with my response. The other officer hands me