Tangled Love

CHAPTER 7

I sit on my bed and sigh, running my hands through my wild hair. I barely slept a wink, my entire sleepwas plagued with nightmares. The sun is now beginning to rise, sending a small amount of lightpeeking through my curtains. The light bounces off the walls, creating an iridescent glow of golds.

I close my eyes and lean back against the wall, enjoying the silence and peace the morning has tooffer. The air is always so crisp and fresh, almost as if the world is offering me a clean slate everysingle day. My thoughts drift to the encounter with Jake yesterday.

What if he figures out my secret?

Surely he wouldn't.

I've kept everything a secret for years and now one silly little mistake is threatening to ruin that. I curseunder my breath, rubbing my temple as I feel a headache beginning to form. Lack of sleep and stresscan do that to you.

"Just stay away from him Emily," I mutter to myself. . . That's kind of hard to do when we both share aclassroom.

I pull up my jeans and settle on wearing a crop jumper with denim jeans. My hair is pin straight and Iwalk over to my dresser, wincing as I catch a glimpse of my face.

"Damn, I need a miracle," I groan unhappily, reaching for my makeup bag. I apply concealer under myeyes to disguise the lack of sleep. I also use it to cover up a tender bruise and after a few minutes, it'sbarely recognisable. Over the years I've mastered hiding cuts, bruises and scars with makeup. It's ahidden talent of mine.

I finish it off with mascara, eyeliner and a hint of blush. When I'm satisfied, I choose a lip colour beforepopping it into my school bag. I gather everything I need before heading for my bedroom door.

Last night I heard Mum and Trevor arguing for hours, thankfully he never laid a finger on her. They'dclearly made up as after the arguing came noises from their bedroom that I never want to hear again. Imentally gag, hoping to God they used a condom. The last thing this dysfunctional family needs is aninnocent baby.

I push open the kitchen door to grab a breakfast bar before heading out. When I notice Trevor sat atthe dining table, I freeze, my eyes zoning in on his back. I don't dare breathe incase he hears me. Islowly back up, my feet moving at a snails pace so I don't alert him. I manage to turn halfway aroundwhen I hear his voice cut through the silent atmosphere —

"Where do you think you're going?"

His words are slurred from his drunken state. I hear the fresh anger in them and wince as I stop in mytracks. I close my eyes and count to five in an effort to calm my breathing down. My hands begin totremble by my side as I turn around slowly, coming face to face with him.

"School, where I go everyday." I murmur quietly. He raises one eyebrow and begins taking slow stepstowards me. I press myself back into the wall as much as I can, wishing he'll walk straight past me andleave me alone. The stench of alcohol hits me as he approaches and I bite down on my bottom lip tostop myself from gagging in repulsion. He walks past me and I breathe out before realising I shouldn'tfeel relieved just yet.

His laboured breaths close up from behind me, creeping up the exposed skin on my neck. He's soclose and growing closer by the second. His presence causes my stomach to clench in fear beforetwisting and turning in disgust. I eventually feel his body connect with mine from behind and I stiffenbefore forcing my feet to step forward.

I need to put distance between us.

Trevor's hand shoots out immediately and circles around my waist. I let out a small squeak in fear, hissudden movement catching me off guard. He yanks me backwards against him, pinning me to hisbody. I squirm against his touch, my throat closing in as I struggle to breathe. I open my mouth toprotest but no sound comes out as I'm paralysed completely with fear.

The worst feeling is knowing your body is failing you when you need it the most.

Trevor lowers his head until his mouth is in line with my ear, dirty breath invading my personal space. Isqueeze my eyes shut tightly, feeling the familiar stinging sensation of tears in my eyes. I refuse to letthem drop, I won't give the pig any satisfaction knowing that he's hurting me. His hands press furtherinto my skin and I protest, fighting to get away from him

"What are you doing?" I finally protest, grateful to have found my voice. I slap his hands away from me,desperate to get free.

"Don't speak to me like that."

"Don't touch me like that!" I hit back at him, doing the first thing that comes to mind. I pull my armforward and elbow him between his legs, hard. His grip on me immediately releases and he bends overfrom the pain. My eyes widen in surprise and a smirk forms on my lips as I watch him wither in pain,asshole.

I quickly hop over him, making a beeline for the front door. As soon as Trevor regains his composure,he stands up, letting out a frustrated yell. I don't have time to react as he comes charging at me like araging bull in a bullfight. The victorious smirk on my face quickly fades, replacing with a look of terror. Iquickly glance around for something to use as a weapon but it's no use, I don't have enough time.

All I can do is throw my hands over my head and take the hit.

The force of his punch knocks me sideways and I groan, my body falling to the floor. I feel theheadache inside my head intensify until it's pounding through my ears. I blink, stars dancing around myvision as they mock me. I clutch my head, feeling warm liquid again my fingers. Blood. Trevor bendsdown to my level and grabs my jaw, forcing me stare into his eyes.novelbin

Cold dark emotionless eyes that resemble a bottomless black pool.

"Do that again and I'll hurt you twice as hard."

His words are emotionless, blunt and calm. However I don't miss the murderous glint in his eyes. Hereleases my chin and stands up,

his foot colliding with my stomach. I groan again, feeling a sharp excruciating pain flares up it. Mystomach twists with nausea and I dry gag to the side. I'm going to be sick.

Don't puke Emily, do not puke.

Trevor walks away from me, satisfied that he's caused enough damage. His footsteps gradually growquieter until I'm alone, curled up in a ball on the floor. Once he disappears, I allow the first tear to fallfollowed by several others.