Chapter 13

After what Ethan had said, I couldn't bring myself to say anything more, I just followed him to his car last like a lost puppy, bearing my bag and purple hoodie.

Now in the back of the car with Ethan driving, tension still thick from what transpired earlier.

I sat stiff, clenching my hoodie, I felt as if I were venting all my frustrations on the poor innocent thing which only acted as my protection from scrutinizing eyes, I just couldn't help it as I wondered

What I'm I going to say if he starts asking questions... I hope for my sake he doesn't

I am actually a very very horrible liar, ironic since I've been doing it for years and I never did seem to get better at it.

My only salvation, is to start coming up with answers to all his possible probes.

"We're here"

Ethan says, jolting me out of my thoughts.

I quickly shove my hoodie into my back pack and swing it over my shoulder.

As I walk to the front door, I hope for my sake that James is still out on his cheap brothel escapades.

I push crack the front door slightly, I take a peek for any sign of James, on the couch...no

Sprawled on the floor... No

Passed out on the stairs... Nope.

Once I'm sure that the coast is clear, I open the door completely, walk in and shut the... Oh wait, Ethan is here.

Ethan is here!

My eyes widen, he must have seen my little stunt...

"I'm not supposed to be home...I"

I start quick to cover up.

He simply waves me off and struts into the house.

Into the house, I tell you!

"Umm, aren't you supposed to be at school?" I say oddly calm while antithetically in my head.

I am freaking freaking out!

"Well, when nurse Lily found out you left, she asked if anyone could keep you company"

"And you volunteered" I deadpan... This is so not my usual day.

"Yep" he says way too cheerful betraying his suspicious eyes as he eyes my arm again trying to be surreptitious about it but failing woefully as I am quick to hide them behind me.

"Uh make yourself at home" I say gesturing for him to sit. Then I decide against it just as he is about to sit I grab his arm to pull him up, as soon as my hand makes contact with his, I retract it immediately.

We were both taken aback by my actions, by both I mean my subconscious and I.

"Already touching I see"

Shut up

My subconscious has the audacity to tsk at me

It was just impulse! I swear.

Wait, I'm doing it again... Arguing with myself, I swear it happens when you lack a social life.

You know that awkward moment, when you feel like you could just crawl into a hole and stay there until the apocalypse...

Yeah that's how I feel right now...

For a second I actually think we could just stand here all day staring at the suddenly interesting carpet

But then I remember what I'm scared of in the first place.

James.

I do not want a repeat of last time, it's safer in my room, we could easily hear him and hide before he gets there.

"Are you sure it's because it's safer or.."

"Shut your mouth up or else I swear!"

"I didn't say anything" Ethan says furrowing his eyebrows.

Great, he probably thinks I've gone crazy.

"Uh, forget I said that, how about we go to my room" I say, internally cringing at how weird that sounds.

"Uh.... sure"

**********

Two hours later...

I'm currently sprawled on my bed finishing some assignments due tomorrow.

Ethan made himself really comfortable on my couch watching 'the soccer match of the season' using his headphone.

Which In my opinion is really impressive considering the couch is really uncomfortable with several springs broken

It was silent, aside from the occasional flipping of pages and screams of "Mbape get In the game.... Come on Neymar!"

Being alone all the time, I finally feel what it's like to have someone around" it's....

Comforting, knowing you're not all alone.

However, my moment if bliss is quickly cut short by...

"Fifteen men on the dead man's chest.... Yo ho-ho and a bottle of rum" James sings and whistles his old favorite pirate song while walking up the stairs with...

You know, a bottle of cheap rum.

Panic overtakes me immediately as soon as I realize that my rooms door is completely ajar, momentarily paralyzing me and sending my heart into overdrive.

My eyes roam around the room looking for a suitable hiding spot, until my eyes settle on one

Perfect.

I quickly jump up from my half lying position and rush to Ethan, who is still much in his soccer match, I pull him quickly with me into my closet and close it up just before James walks past, wait did I say walk past, I meant walked in.

"What was that" he draws out . "Anabella!"

My breathing and heart beat become erratic, I cross my fingers hoping he leaves. Ethan has taken of his headphone, seeming to realize the situation looks at me as if asking 'what da hell'

I just signal him to be quiet, which thankfully he complies to.

.

.

.

Well say thirty minutes later of us squished uncomfortably in my tiny closet and exchanging carbon dioxide,

"Yo ho-ho and a bottle of rum"

James sings going back downstairs, probably back to his gambling escapades.

Once the front door closes, quite loudly might I add. We all but roll out of the closet desperate for oxygen.

Once I have successfully caught my breath, I finally look up to Ethan giving me a funny look.

"Care to explain?" He asks know I there's no way I can twist out of this one.

"Well.." come on brain, think!

"I actually did not want him to see me at home, he doesn't like me skipping class" I say avoiding his eyes.

"Really?"

"I'm not dumb" he continues "Does that explain why you were so afraid, to go to the extent of hiding in your closet or is there another reason"

Panic overtakes me, he's putting it together!

"I know for a fact that your 'father' isn't normal" he pauses to look at my reaction, my panicked look probably satisfies him, so he continues

"And he is also probably responsible for all those" he says gesturing at my bruised arms.

When I don't answer he continues.

"And you just stay and let him hurt and control you?" He asks as if disappointed.

Anger completely takes over me.

"Who do you think you are to tell me that!, Yeah you figured it all out! That doesn't mean you can just say anything without knowing facts" I say jabbing him on his chest.

"Do you know how much I've tried? You!... You!, You think everyone's life is as pretty as yours"

He steps back from my jabs and looks at me with an unreadable emotion.

I know for a fact that tears and filling my eyes and will soon spill out but I continue speaking anyway.

"You know nothing!, Absolutely nothing" I say stomping my foot.

"Anab..."

"Leave" I say in a calm voice betraying my emotions.

"I'm" he starts, but I interrupt him

" I said leave!" I scream finally.

He looks at me for a few seconds before walking out.

Seconds later after I hear the front door open and close.

I let it all go, sliding down slowly,the dam holding my tears finally breaks.

How dare he!

I did my best!, He has no idea what I've gone through and yet he accuses