“Hey, Princess. You alright?” he asks, concern immediately washing over his face.
He cares about me, I know he does. Just like I care about him. And if there was something truly wrong, he would tell me. I have to believe that. So I push the fear back down, swallowing the questions that are threatening to consume me.
I look back up at Miles and force a smile. “Yeah, I’m okay. What are our plans for today?”
I watch as the worry in his expression slowly fades, replaced by the little smirk I love so much.
God, I love when he does that.
His face is unfairly perfect. I’m convinced there isn’t a single moment where he doesn’t look good. It’s almost frustrating how effortlessly beautiful he is.
My phone dings on the counter between us, and my entire body stiffens.
Miles reaches for it, glances at the screen, and then hands it back to me.
“It’s just Kaitlin. It’s okay.”
His hand rubs soothing circles along my back, and I take the phone from him.
Jesus. I can’t even get a text message without panicking. I’m so tired of living like this. I just want a normal life. I want to wake up without fear and wondering what’s waiting for me around the corner. The problem is, I don’t even know what a normal life feels like anymore.
Kaitlin: When are we going to hang out again, hoe?! You too busy sucking Miles’ dick to see me now?
Kaitlin can be a little overdramatic, but she has a point. I haven’t spent any time with her. I can’t even remember the last time we hung out, let alone talked on the phone. I’ve had so much going on, I’ve been neglecting my best friend, and that’s not fair to her.
Unfortunately, Miles doesn’t want her over here and I can’t figure out why. It could be because I told him she hates him, but I really don’t think that’s it. He knows she’s the only friend I have out here. He wouldn’t ruin that for me.
Me: I’m literally going to see you tomorrow in class AND at work. Don’t be so overdramatic!
Kaitlin: I’m not being overdramatic bitch, I’m being a concerned friend because my best friend has some crazy stalker and I haven’t seen or talked to her in days. AND she’s staying with her psychotic ass boyfriend.
I read Kaitlin’s last message, and guilt immediately settles heavy in my chest. I didn’t realize how worried I’d made her by disappearing. She’s been nothing but kind to me since the moment we met, and all she’s ever tried to do was be there for me. Yet somehow, I still managed to make her feel like she didn’t matter.
I hate that. I keep hurting the people who are only trying to help me.
Miles notices the shift in my expression and tilts my phone slightly toward himself to read the message. Instinctively, I try to pull it back, but the moment his eyes scan the screen, something changes. His entire demeanor shifts.
I tug gently on my phone, expecting him to let go, but he doesn’t. I’ve never seen him react like this. Not toward me.
The sudden tension between us makes my chest tighten, and a familiar feeling starts creeping in. That trapped, helpless feeling I know all too well.
What the hell was that? And why did it scare me?
I peek around the corner of the hallway when I hear them yelling. I make myself as small as I can, pressing against the wall so they don’t see me. My heart is beating so loud I’m scared they’ll hear it.
Mom is standing in the living room with her phone clutched against her chest. Dad is standing in front of her, his face red and angry.
“Give me your goddamn phone, Melinda!” he screams. “I’m not playing these games with you anymore!”
Mom shakes her head, holding onto it tighter. “No, Jeff.”
Everything happens so fast. Dad moves toward her, and Mom backs up until she hits the couch behind her. She falls down onto it, and before she can even get up, he’s on top of her, reaching for her phone.
“Jeff, stop!” Mom cries. “You’re hurting me! Get off of me!”
“Just give me your fucking phone!”
“Please, Jeff,” she begs, her voice shaking. “You’re going to wake up Maddie. Please, just stop.”
