Two

Elsa

My alarm goes off and I can barely open my eyes. How had I gotten home? I don’t even remember walking home.

Last night’s events were hazy. My neck aches like hell and I was still in yesterday's clothes.

Crawling across the floor. I peer at myself in the mirror. My long dark hair was a mess. My ears were ringing from the music at the bar. Big dark rings sat under my baby blue eyes. I was a complete mess.

Turning my head, I see two small red lumps on my neck. They were sore to touch. Glancing at my bedroom window I curse myself for leaving it open. I must have been bitten by some bug or something.

Quickly rearranging the bandages around my waist, I pull a green sweater over my head and slip on a pair of dark blue jeans. I knew I had to hurry to make breakfast. Kyra was likely already mad that I disappeared last night, ruining her celebrations. I didn’t need her to start the day in a foul mood.

My head was spinning from all the alcohol. It was only the second time that I have ever had any and my head felt like it was going to explode. “Not doing that again.” I mutter

Pulling open my door, I crash into Sadie coming from her room

“Watch where you are going you stupid cow!” she screeches at me. I cover my sensitive ears and notice she isn’t alone.

Ben was with her. Both looking smitten with each other. It was bad enough they were together, but to sleep together in the same house as me? That was messed up!

“Where the fuck were you? You ruined last night. Mum is furious with you.” Sadie snaps. “When did you sneak in?”

“Leave her alone, she isn’t worth it, babe.” Ben tugs her back. Enveloping her in his arms.

The man from last night flashes through my mind, how his lips had trailed over my skin leaving strange little bursts of electricity. How he had made me laugh when I was feeling at my lowest.

“Why are you smiling?” Sadie demands.

“Nothing.” I mutter quickly. I didn’t need to give them anymore ammunition.

“Where the hell have you been?!”  Kyra comes out of the bathroom with her hands on her hips.

“Sorry,” I mutter. “I’m going to make breakfast right now.”

“Sorry? Sorry doesn’t put breakfast on the table!” Kyra charges towards me, her hand out ready to slap me. As it comes towards me, I duck and her hand makes contact with her daughter.

“MUM!” Sadie cries, clutching her cheek while Kyra looks on horrified that she had hit her own daughter. Ben takes a step back looking completely baffled and wishing that he wasn’t here.

A smile creeps across my face. Sadie had never even been threatened or hit. This had just made my day. Maybe my entire year.

“Sadie, baby. I’m so sorry.” Kyra rounds on me. “Look what you made me do!”

Her hand comes at me again. It looked like it was moving in slow motion and I easily dodge it again. My reflexes were on fire this morning. 

Her face turns beetroot red as her anger rages through her. 

“GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!

She didn’t need to tell me twice.

Grabbing my bag and my coat, I quickly escape the mad house. 

At least today it wasn’t raining. 

Walking along the road, I figured I would catch a bus and head over to the next town and really make Kyra lose her shit. I had nothing to lose. She was only keeping me because she wanted my trust fund when I turned twenty.

Sadie catches up with me, shoving my uniform in my hands.

“I’m not on today.” I mutter. I can’t help but look at her face and stifle a giggle.

“Liar. I know your schedule.” She folds her arms across her chest.

“I swapped shifts.” I lie

“Who is going to swap with you? It’s my friends that work in that dump, not yours.”

“Does it matter? I’m not in today.”

I was trying not to laugh at the red handprint on her face. Maybe, just this once, she would know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of Kyra’s wrath.

“Mum is mad.”

“Do you think I care? She’s a bitch, just like you.” Where the hell was this confidence coming from? I’ve never stood up to her ever.

“Did you seriously just say that? To me?” She scoffs

“I did, now leave me alone!”

“You deserve everything you get!” She storms off back towards the house as I roll my eyes. 

My headache was growing. Every sound seemed to have intensified. I was certain I could hear the conversation of the old couple across the road. I must be going mad!

Sitting on a nearby bench, I felt sick. For some reason everything seemed to smell. Even the person running along the road had bad body odour. What the fuck was wrong with me? Is this what a hangover does? It messes with your senses?

I try getting away from the smells but no matter where I moved, a new scent would appear. Until I smelt something different. It was intoxicating. A scent that called to my soul. Vanilla bean.

Following my nose, it leads me back to the bar from last night. Nate was standing outside. He was chatting to a blonde haired guy when he looks directly at me. His eyes locked with mine. 

My heartbeat quickens as he crosses the road, heading directly towards me. He runs a hand through his short dark hair as he comes to a stop in front of me. Damn he was hot!

“I wondered when you would appear.” He gives me the same smile from last night.

Why the fuck did he smell so good? I wanted to devour him.

“Thanks for getting me home.” I mutter. I still didn’t remember telling him where home was, but I must have done.

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Uh huh.” I turn on my heel, moving quickly away from him. But I could hear his footsteps behind me. And his scent seemed to be following me.

“You don’t have any questions.”

“No.” I keep moving and try not to look at him.

Don’t turn around, just keep moving!

“You don’t want to know why you can smell me?” The question brings me to a stop. As I turn around, he is grinning at me.

“You know?” 

“Of course. Everything smells different too, right? And your hearing? You hear things that you have never heard before?”

I nod my head, not quite sure how I was supposed to answer. How could he know all this?

“What the fuck did you put in my drink?!” I fire the question at him. Pure anger that had come from nowhere was surging through me.

He puts his hands up “Woah. I didn’t put anything in your drink.”

“Sorry. I….. I don’t feel myself.” I mutter, dropping my gaze.

He tips my chin up, locking his eyes on mine. “It’s perfectly understandable. Now let me take you to a place where I can tell you what is happening to you. Take you away from this shithole.”

“You want to take me somewhere?”

“Yes. It’s a little hard to explain it here. Too many ears.”

It was stupid of me to agree. But I couldn’t help wondering how he knew that something was wrong with me.

“Okay.” I whisper

“Good.” He presses his lips to my forehead. “You won’t regret it.”