Daniel drives his Bentley smoothly through the empty roads while the roar of the engine is the only thing breaking the stifling silence in the car. Despite my agreement to confront the rest of the family, especially Amelia, apprehension overtakes me and I break out in a nervous sweat, staring out the window being unable to look at him. Daniel must notice my agitation because he looks over in my direction multiple times, but even though it seems like he's about to say somehitng, he keeps his mouth shut instead.
I sigh and slump against the seat, but jolt when he places his large hand over mine on my lap. The warmth of his palm seems to have an effect as my breathing slows down a little but the sudden realisation of our proximity makes it feel like the car has gotten smaller.
I look over at him now, and he flashes me a reassuring smile before focusing back on the road in front of him. He grips the steering wheel nonchalantly, with one hand hooked under it, and I let myself admire the way he works the vehicle for a few beats. He catches me staring and flashes a dimple, chuckling under his breath and I turn away mortified. Despite his attempts to lighten the mood, my mood sours once again and my chest feels constricted as I stare at the sloping scenery that passes by.
I try not to think about the Amelia and the inevitable hatred she must hold for me ever since i left without saying a word. I close by eyes and the memories play in my mind, even though i try my hardest to resist them. Memories of the last time i saw Amelia.
Flashback
I stand outside the frat house, freezing my ass off, as I stare down the bouncer who is playing the role of 'wall' and forbidding my entry. He clearly didn't get the message that it's nighttime, because he's sporting sunglasses, and he crosses his meaty arms in front of his chest as he refuses to budge. I try my hardest to convince him to let me cross the line but he only shakes his head, until that turns into a nod when I begrudgingly step forward and hand him a few hundred bucks. That makes his priorities change extremely fast as he pockets the cash and steps aside, finally letting me through.
I rush my way into the house, passing by hordes of students dancing and grinding to the deafening music with the distinct smell of alcohol permeating the air. I reach what seems like the living room where three frat boys are slumped on the sofas, with two girls each hanging on their laps.
The smell of weed floods my nostrils and I cover my nose, causing one of the guys to laugh at me and wink. The other two focus their lazy eyes on me for a spilt second before their attention is diverted by the girls sprawled over them, who are pouting for being ignored.
The one watching me stands up and stumbles forward with a drunken gait.
How surprising. Not.
The sight of him is enough to make a wave of disgust well up into me as I recognise who it is. Asher Langford, captain of the football team, toxic player and an all around jerk. He also happens to be the reason why Amelia had a bruise around her eye which she vehemently denied last night.
He opens his mouth to say something but I step forward and place a finger on his lips. Bile rises to my throat at the contact but I suppress the urge to vomit and give him a seductive smile. It takes him a second to lower his guard- pathetic-, and I use that time to forcefully drive my knee between his legs. He yells and stumbles forward, but I don't stop there. I headbutt him in the nose, hard enough to hear a cracking sound and blood gushes from it. He pulls back and I make a run for it, bumping into the drunken students before I glide through the front door and escape into the dark.
The night air rushes into my lungs as I finally make it outside and giving a nod to the bouncer, I slip my hands into my pockets and walk away.
To Amelia's house.
The letter i found earlier is still in my pocket and I place my hand over the dreaded paper, wanting to tear it into shreds. I reach Amelia's house and knock on the door, only realising that there are droplets of water on the floor around me and my clothes are soaked.
Huh. I didn't even realise it was raining.
The door swings open and I see the last person who I wanted to be here. Daniel. The person who would make what I'm about to do so much more difficult, almost unbearably so. I smile at him and his brows furrow in concern as he sees the condition I'm in and quickly takes off his own coat to drape over my shoulders. It smells like him and I inhale deeply, watching him with my head cocked sideways as he fusses over me.
He draws me inside and places me in front of the fireplace, before he heads off to find me a towel. I grab his sleeve before he can walk away and he looks at me, the concern on his face now replaced with surprise.
'Can I stay here tonight?' The words come out before I can stop them.
'Of course you can, why is that even a question?' His gaze is imploring now, trying to figure me out.
I smile again, 'thank you.' I whisper the words softly, almost sadly.
'I'll let Amelia know you're here and get the guest room ready.'
'Don't tell her I'm here'
My eyes are pleading now. 'I know this seems strange, but please, i just need to..sleep, please.' He nods, his features tight. 'Will you tell me what happened? When you wake up tomorrow?'
I feel like crying now. But instead I make a brave face, and for the first time since I met him, I lie.
'Yes, I promise.'
[Flashback ends]
I never kept my promise though, because the next morning, I left a letter on their fireplace- addressed to everyone, and I left. For good, it seemed at the time. Daniel seems to be taking a similar trip down the memory lane because he says,
'You never did tell me what happened at that party five years ago.'
'It wasn't important.' I reply while staring at my lap.
'You disappeared right after it, I assumed that something must've happened then that made you leave.'
I shake my head but don't respond anymore. The hospital comes into view and I straighten, ready to face the past. Even if means reliving all the painful memories.
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