“Of course I do, how can you say a thing like that, you really think I would stay with him knowing that I am in danger if I didn’t care about him?”
“I don’t know it’s like you say I don’t know you.”
“Okay, you can leave, go on get out.”
“Don’t worry I am gone.”
He slams the door and I fall to my knees. I start to sob so violently, that I start to pant. I begin to feel short of breath, but I manage to pick myself up off the floor and go over to the table next to my bed, where I grab a bottle of water and the white Blackberry. I check to see if have any messages from Adrian, but there is none. I sit down on my bed and look over towards the mirror that sits on the dressing table across from the bed. Who is that girl, her face is so pale and gaunt? Tear-stained cheeks with no happiness in her eyes-only sadness. I pull myself together and take a hot shower. I do not want to worry Sophie when she gets in, so I put on one of my facemasks, put my earphones in try to, just for a little while forget everything.
Fifteen
The next morning I wake to find myself in tears. I must have been having a nightmare again, but this time I cannot remember it.
“Alanna, you are shaking.”
“I just had a bad dream, that’s all Sophie.”
“No wonder you are having nightmares after what happened yesterday.”
“How did you know about that?”
“Everyone is talking about it.”
“How did they find out?”
“Marco assaulted you right there in the hallway, with numerous witnesses how would everyone not know?” I feel relieved that it is the issue with Marco she is referring to and the other one.
“Yes of course, but it really wasn’t as bad as that.”
“No? What happened then, everyone is saying he was about to slap you.”
“I don’t think he was, it was just one of the many heated arguments we have, and this time it got a little out of hand.”
“How could a tall, muscular guy grab such a little delicate thing like you and with such fury?”
“I would rather just try to forget all about it now.”
“I wonder what your Prince Charming would say about all this. I bet if he were here, then he would have knocked Marco’s front teeth out. Nevertheless, I hear he may have some competition for you.”
“What?”
“I heard some new guy jumped in and saved the day.”
“No that’s no new guy, that’s Adrian Blacks step brother.”
“Wait what?”
“Yes, he is his step brother.”
“I got that, but what is he doing here?”
I know Adrian told me to tell Sophie the truth about Michael, but I just cannot, what would she say if she knew the truth.
“He is an exchange student from Oxford, and he relocated here for better work opportunities.”
“Wow, what’s he like?”
“He is okay.”
“What just okay? Do you not like him or something?”
“No he is a nice guy, I don’t really know him.”
“Is he hot?”
“Sophie.”
“What, just wondering that’s all.” I shoot her a disapproving look.
“Well is he?”
“I suppose so; you will see him around, you can decide for yourself! But let me warn you I think he is spoken for by Katharine, you should have seen her swooning over him.”
“I don’t know what you take me for Alanna; I am with Dan now, so there will be no swooning on my part.”
“We will see.” I say and both of us let out hysterical giggles.
I start to take a shower but I hear my white phone buzzing in the background, so I shut off the water and go over to check the phone. I have a new message from Adrian; I take a deep breath as wait for the message to show.
Alanna my love, how are you feeling today?
I am okay, a little shaken though.
I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am for all this.
I know you are. Have you spoken to Michael today?
Yes, he told me what happened yesterday.
Really, what did he say?
He told me you two had words, Alanna do you not like Michael?
He seems all right, but I think that it is Michael, who does not like me.
He does like you, it is just he has a funny way of showing things; he prefers to be the cold outcast type than be the hero.
I suppose.
You seem like you have something on your mind what is it?
I am having a hard time coming to terms with all this. I cannot understand why there is someone following me. You say it is because there is someone out to hurt you, but yet again, I do not know why.
Alanna I wish I could tell you, but you will be safe with Michael, please stay close to him at all times.
I will, but please you have to give me something, I cannot go on not knowing a thing.