Survive

Chapter 7

After the movie was over, Lilly and I decided to go out for coffee before I had to get home. When we arrived at the coffee shop, she turned off the car and turned towards me again.

"I'm sorry I broke down earlier. It's just that I can't lose you. You need to do something about her or I will go to the police." she said with a hurt in her voice.

I could feel the lump in my throat begin to form as I watched my best friend begin to cry once again. I hated that my life was impacting hers so much and that she felt obligated to do something about it.

"Lil I will do something about this but not right now. I only have a year left and I don't want to hurt my dad." I told her holding her hand.

"You think your dad is going to be happy that she beats you every chance she gets just because you didn't do one tiny little thing!" she began to yell.

"Well I'm so sorry that I don't want to be the one to ruin his happiness again!" I yelled back.

I got out of the car quickly and started walking in the direction of my house. I was beyond mad and I couldn't find it in myself to talk to her at the moment. I heard her yelling some things but only one comment really grabbed my attention.

"Yeah that's right run away from this like you do everything else!" she yelled from across the parking lot.

"Wow thanks Lil. Way to make me feel better about things!" I yelled back at her without even glancing back.

I kept walking when I heard my phone go off in my pocket. Grabbing it I looked to see who it was. When I saw Luke's name I couldn't help but smile a little. I quickly dried my tears that had started to form

"Hello." I said answering the phone. I could feel my stomach begin to roll and twist before I even heard his soothing voice.

"Hey. What are you doing tonight?" he asked in a warm tender voice.

"Well I'm walking home at the moment. Why?" I asked a little confused as to why he wanted to know what I was doing.

"Where are you? I'll come pick you up and take you home." he said as if he had taken me home a million times.

"Do you know where that little coffee shop is over on third?" I asked.

"Yeah. It's right next to Wal-Mart isn't it?" he asked making sure he knew which coffee shop it was.

"Yup that's the one. I'll wait outside for you." I told him unable to control the giant smile that had formed on my face in the little time that we had been talking.

"Ok. See you soon." he said sweetly before disconnecting the call.

I began to walk back in the direction when I couldn't shake this feeling that someone was following me. Quickening my pace, I was virtually at a jog when I made it to the coffee shop. Looking around I noticed that no one was behind me. Taking in a deep breath I relaxed my muscles and waited for Luke to pick me up. After about ten minutes I saw him pull up and my stomach began to roll and twist again and the sight of him getting out gracefully.

He started walking towards me and I couldn't help but feel a pull between us. I got up slowly and began to walk to him. When we were arms length apart he did something that I wasn't expecting at all. He hugged me with a gentleness that I hadn't felt in since my mom was alive. I just stood there awhile in shock until I put my arms around him without having any control over my body. I felt so at home in his arms it was unreal. I never wanted to leave his warm and comforting embrace. He was the first one to pull away and I was a little disappointed when he did this.

"You ready to head home?" he asked me with that smile that I couldn't get enough of.

I just nodded and let him lead me to his truck. As soon as we go to his truck I went to open the passenger side door but was beat to it by a strong hand. Luke opened the door for me and helped me in. I didn't know why I was letting myself get close to him but I was and I knew that if I kept him in my life he would eventually see what a mess it is. Thinking about that made me feel worthless. I hadn't even noticed that he was in the driver seat waiting for me to give directions to my house. Snapping out of my thoughts I quietly told him where I lived and we drove there in silence. I could feel him look over at me every now and then. I just couldn't find it in myself to actually say anything knowing that I couldn't have him in my life. It was hard enough having Lilly in it I couldn't ask Luke to keep my dark secret.