The sound of Samara's heels clipping against the floorboards of my house, makes me look up as she enters the lounge room.
Her long, vibrant red hair is loosely curled, falling down her shoulders. She is dressed in a deep maroon dress that hugs her curves and enunciates her petite waist. She has paired the jaw-dropping dress with a pair of knee-high suede boots. I glance down at my black leather skirt and tucked-in navy shirt. Definitely not as daring, but I need to stop comparing my confidence with hers.
"Your hair looks pretty," she compliments as she uses her phone camera as a mirror to put her red lipstick on.
"Thanks," I reply, before sliding my phone into the tight back pocket of my skirt.
The sound of a loud exhaust makes me get to my feet. Finn's friend Benji, also one of Samara's hookups, is taking his dad's land cruiser out to the party to sleep in. It is an eight-seater, leaving seats free for me, Samara, and Kiarra to get a ride.
"Ready
The sinking feeling of my heart plummeting into my stomach is something I never want to feel again.It's the same feeling when he stood me up, almost two years ago, and I found he was with another girl.It's a terrible, heart-aching experience that I don't wish upon anyone.I feel numb as I stumble through the house. A few people glance in my direction as my eyes scan the room. I instantly see Jai and Finn to my right. Jai is gripping his shoulders and speaking with him. I know it's about me."Hey!" I hear my best friend's voice call out to me. "Where did you run off to?"I swivel my eyes and see Kiarra bounding towards me, a slight smile on her face and her cheeks sporting a soft pink tone. Her face falls instantly when she sees mine."Is? What's wrong?" she asks urgently.I'm not sure whether it's her familiar kindness, her worried expression or the fact that her touch is one of the most comforting things in the world - whatever it
It is somewhat silent as I lead Miles down the dim hallway of my house.I poke my head inside my room, to see that my bed is empty. I smile to myself, before glancing up at Miles."What?" he whispers.I creep towards the spare room and push the door open. Kiarra is laying in there, sound asleep already. I lightly close the door."She always stays in my room, but she must have guessed you'd stay," I smile to him."See? That's why I always liked her more," Miles grins."She is pretty awesome," I nod in agreement.I head into the bathroom. Miles follows me in and locks the door behind me. I raise an eyebrow at the gesture."Oh, are you taking a shower, too?" I tease, even though I was going to offer him the first shower."Yep," he confidently replies, before peeling the navy t-shirt he is wearing, from his body.My lips part as I openly rake my eyes over him. He runs his hand through his hair and smirks
Waking up in the arms of Miles has quickly become my favourite thing to do.I roll my head back to see his peaceful expression. A soft sound emits from his mouth as he breathes deeply. I smile and trace my fingers down in a defined jawline."Mm," he mumbles softly."Good morning," I say to him."Morning," he replies sleepily.He suddenly stretches and yawns at the same time and I openly ogle him as he does.I smile as I watch him rub his sleepy eyes and peer around the room, looking adorably drowsy.Eventually, after spending a long time wrapped in his arms, I shower and dress into a pair of denim shorts and a loose-fitting tee. When I re-enter my room, Miles is still on the bed, however, now dressed in the outfit he wore last nightMy steps falter for a moment. Seeing him, casually laying on my bed, is so like how it used to be. I can't stop the smile from spreading across my face."What has
The soft feel of Miles' fingers rubbing circles in my shoulders makes me sigh in content."Mmm," I encourage with a smile. "Keep going.""You're tense," he tells me with a frown."It's been a stressful week," I sigh.It's Friday and I could not be happier that this week from hell is almost over. I don't know what was worse, having three assessments all due today, or having Samara continually make snide remarks to me, making me feel worthless. I'm so lucky to have Kiarra and Miles by my side, otherwise, I probably would have had an anxiety attack or an emotional breakdown by now.I had only just accepted the fact that I'd lost my best friend. I didn't expect to gain a bully. I should have expected things to be bad, but I didn't think it would be this bad. It seems like years of friendship mean nothing to her."You definitely don't want to go to the party?" he asks me.I lean back into his touch. He removes his ha
I don't know what is funnier, the fact that I had to physically wheel Finn out of the hospital in a wheelchair, or the fact that he fell over when he stood up. I am also questioning whether I am a terrible person for laughing before helping him."Stupid dumb leg, who needs it anyway?" Finn growls under his breath as I help him up the porch steps."They're pretty important," I reply with an eye roll, bearing more of his weight than I am probably capable of.My knees buckle and I quickly catch him before he falls. He shoots a scowl in my direction and I grimace, dragging him through the doorway.When we get inside, I guide him straight to the lounge room. Considering both our rooms are upstairs, he is now going to be sleeping in the lounge room. Mum spent the morning turning the room into a good setup for Finn, so that he has everything he may need or want. She has also set up a table beside the bed."Look at you, getting the royal trea
"Are you staring?""No..." I trail off sheepishly."I think you might be," he teases.I pout. "I can't help it. You're so adorable when you're sleepy."A lazy smile spreads across Miles' face as he peers down at me through his half-closed lid."Thanks, babe."My stomach flutters at his word choice. I reach up and run my fingers through his ashy blond hair. He lets out a deep sound of agreement in the back of his throat, before pushing his head harder into my nails, reminding me of a cat that wants to be scratched.After cuddling up to Miles for longer than I intended, I reluctantly leave him to shower and get changed into a loose sundress. While Miles showers, I head downstairs, to see that Finn is lightly snoring in the lounge room, his mouth open as he lays in an unattractive sprawl.I walk over to him and poke him in the cheek."Ergh," he groans and swats my hand away lethargically."Wake up, slee
Miles' POV:Having slept by Isobel's side several times now has made sleeping on my own feel lonely and cold.I glance over to the empty left side of the bed, imagining what it would be like to wake up with her, every morning. The soft sun rays would fall across her smooth skin. Her brown eyes would peer up at me, so sleepy and peaceful. Her lips would smile as she mumbled, "good morning" to me.Suppressing a groan, I roll onto my back and stare up at the patchy white ceiling. If only that was my reality.My door swings open and I snap my head up, to see Emily enter."Do you have a lighter?" she asks me, leaning on my door frame, dressed in a short shirt and lacey underwear.I roll my eyes at her over-the-top attention-seeking. She doesn't need one, she just wants me to see her half-naked."No, fuck off," I snarl at her and fling my arm over my face."Why are you such a dick these da
"You're an idiot.""I think you mean charming?""No, I mean idiot," I huff as I grit my teeth together, pulling Finn from out of the passenger seat of my car."I've gone from practice and working out almost every day, to nothing. Ineedthis," he whines to me and pouts, making my glare soften."Yeah, I know," I reply quietly as I loop my hand around his waist, to make sure he doesn't fall, while I fling the door shut with my other. I swiftly press the button on my keys and hear the distinct click as the doors lock.He pushes off from the car and straightens. I pass him one crutch, and then the other. He settles his arms over them and wriggles for a moment, before getting comfortable."Ready?" I ask."Yep."I walk slowly beside him as he hobbles towards the entrance of the gym. I feel really stupid bringing my brother, with a broken leg, to the gym, but he insists. As I hold the door open for him
A few months later"How have you been?" Ashley questions as she takes a sip of her coffee. She leans back into her chair, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. She gives me a warm smile."Really good," I tell her honestly. "Miles' and I moved into our place last weekend.""That's fantastic!" she beams at me. "You two have come so far.""Yeah," I agree with a shy smile. "I never would have imagined us to be living together. Especially after everything.""True love conquers all," she teases.I let out a quiet laugh. "And you? How have you been?""I've been well. I'm taking next semester off and am travelling to Europe. I'm also thinking of taking a position across town. It's an office job.""Oh that sounds great!""I haven't made a decision yet. And I've been dating a guy for a few months now, so that might change things." Her cheeks blossom red when she speaks about him and her lips curve upwards.
"Thanks, man," Miles's voice sounds close but far away at the same time."You kids have fun," the taxi driver grins, offering us both a sly wink when he thinks the other isn't looking.I take Miles' hand and he tugs me out of the car. I tilt my head back and stare at the cabin with an awed expression. It's a beautiful, dainty cabin with fairy lights hanging from the windows and the roof in a raining portrayal. My lips are parted and my breath was taken away as I stare at its beauty.A wooden arch borders the path leading to the front door. Beautiful white and pink flowers are embedded in the silver chains, twisting their way around the frame."Oh," I whisper, my eyes unable to tear away from the sight before me. "It's gorgeous.""Wait until you see the inside!" Miles says excitedly, his fingers tangling with mine.He pulls me after him. I feel breathless, my head full and light, my eyes searching, my heart thumping loudly. He ope
I press my lips together and rub slowly, before making apopsound.I meet my gaze in the mirror reflection. My dark hair is curled beside my face, my dark eyes framed with long lashes, my lips painted red."Almost ready for photos?" Kiarra asks, stepping out of the bathroom, her brilliant-blue dress flaring around her legs as she walks. Her heels click against the tiles, before changing to a soft thud as she walks across my carpeted floor, flicking out her long hair."Sure am," I reply, getting to my feet and wobbling. I hastily reach for my desk. Iknewthese heels were too high for me. Or maybe it was the three glasses of champagne..."Do I look alright?" Becca asks us, her voice unusually timid.She stands and runs her fingers down the light pink dress that is securely wrapped around her body."Hell to the yeah," Kiarra nods."Really?" she whispers."My brother will probably drop dead a
I hold my arm out for my brother. He hoists himself onto his feet and wobbles for a moment, before steadying."You okay?" I ask him."Better than ever," he grins.It's been a couple of weeks since the storm. The school has re-opened and Finn is now able to withstand weight on his leg. The muscles have decreased so he still limps and struggles to maintain his usual pace, but he's able to walk without crutches now. We still have them at home, but he seems to be handling walking pretty well without them.As we walk into school, girls are magnetically drawn to us, like they have been, despite Finn being off the market. He barely glances at them as he searches for Becca. I smile down at my feet as I walk.I make a beeline to my locker, to get out the textbooks I need for the first two classes. I jump in fright as I shut the door and Samara is leaning beside me, her vibrant hair loosely curled."You'll never guess who was caught swap
"Ready?""Hell yeah."I smile up at Miles as he shrugs into his jacket. He clenches his jaw and screws up his face in pain. I rush to his side and help his arm into the sleeve. Even though he is being discharged, he is still in quite a bit of pain.Wrapping an arm around his waist, I help him walk down the corridor. Once inside the elevator, he leans onto the railing with a weak smile on his face."What are you smiling about?" I question."I'm looking forward to the next week," he tells me."Me too," I agree.Due to the bad storm, a lot of places around town have been damaged, including the school. School is shut for the remaining week, to fix the damages. The school dance has been postponed for a few weeks, which works out perfectly for me. Miles wasn't able to attend, but now he will be.Considering we won't have school and Miles is in recovery, mum has offered him our spare room. Which isalso&nbs
When I wake the next morning, I rub my eyes, feeling like I haven't slept at all.I roll my head to the side, to see Kiarra open-mouthed and snoring beside me. I stretch, feeling a few bones in my back crack. The brightness of my phone screen makes me grimace. I hastily turn it down as I squint, seeing that it is 7:30 am.I pull myself from bed, making a beeline for the shower.The house is silent as I walk through ten minutes later, dressed in a denim skirt and a long-sleeve shirt. My hair is still wet, hanging limply down my shoulders. I wait until I'm out the front door, before sliding my vans onto my feet.The wind is unforgiving and harsh as I walk towards my car. I tug the sleeves down my hands and grimace, wishing I'd chosen to wear jeans instead.I stop into Brumby's Bakery on my way to the hospital, ordering two coffees and two cream pastry puffs. My stomach rumbles as the smell fill my car.By the time I
"Where are you going?""Out!" I say in a rush as I sprint past mum and out the door.I feel shaky as I fall behind the wheel. Every second that passes, feels like I'm slowly letting Miles down more and more.When I pull into the car park, my tires crunch against the loose gravel. My headlights pour across the vacant lot until they land on his motorbike. My stomach lurches. He's still here, which confirms my suspicions.Something bad has happened.I step out of my car and hesitantly walk towards the bike. It looks the exact same as it always does.I keep quiet as I begin to search the grounds, once again, returning to the locker room. I begin to feel nauseous when I can't find anything. I scour the oval and the perimeter of the field. By the time I get to the bus shelter at the end of the oval, my shoulders sag and my feet dragging. I feel helpless until I see it.Blood.There is spots of blood covering the grass a
"I thought you had plans tonight?"Me too, I think sourly as I stomp past mum."Plans changed." The bitterness is embedded in my voice as I reach for the juice and drink straight from the carton."You do realise we all drink that?" Mum asks me, quirking her eyebrow."Yes," I reply sharply, before marching out of the kitchen, feeling like a moody brat.While I mount the stairs, I ring Miles again, only for it to go straight to his voicemail.I'm beginning to feel sick.I don't know what I want more - to scream, to cry, or to have a drink. Possibly all three.A part of me wants to rush over to the party, to see if he's there. To see if history isreallyrepeating itself, while the other half of me has given up. I want to sit in the corner of my room and rock back and forth.Deciding to go with neither, I collapse onto the mattress and stare at the ceiling, feeling exh
When I scramble to my feet, my tear-stained cheeks cold from the wind, I feel incredibly stupid.Has this been his plan all along? Surely, someone could not fake those words, those feelings... He couldn't be that good of an actor.Something... Something has happened. That is the only thing I can believe. That thought is the very string keeping my sanity together. My fingers feel numb when I dial his number again."Hello, you've reached the voice mail of ---"I let out a groan of anger as I am tempted to throw my phone at the ground.I numbly walk to the locker room. It's dark. The only sounds I can hear is my quickened breathing and one of the taps drizzling water into the basin beneath it."Miles?" I whisper, before clearing my throat. "Miles?"No answer.Beginning to feel creeped out, I take a deep breath and turn my phone light on. I roam through the darkroom, hoping that nothing will jump out to scare m