Me
It’s a date. I’ll book us in at the spa and find us a place for food
Emmy
We love you, Hayls. It doesn’t matter how far away you are, your home is here, with us.
I tap a heart on the message, then click out of it, gently swiping at my eyes, a smile on my face because of it. My friends are my world and my rock, Nate included. For so long, I was the friend who smiled and held firm. I stayed and cheered as they moved on with their happiness, even though inside I was screaming for someone to notice that I wasn’t okay.
But it wasn’t enough to want someone to notice, I had to open up and tell someone that I wasn’t okay. Yet I don’t think I would have done that if it weren’t for Nate giving me the nudge I needed.
I climb off my bed and kneel down, reaching under the bed until my hand snags on my bag. Inside, I find the scrapbook Nate gifted me and nestled between the pages is the list we made.
Hayleigh’s List
· Dance at the movies
· Kissing in the rain
· Do something out of my comfort zone
· Go on a Ferris Wheel
·Buy my own placeand decorate!
· Eat cake in bed
· Get over my fear of clowns
· Learn something new
· Attend a cookery class
· Safari
· Tell Morgana no!!
Inspiration hits when I read through it. A cookery class will be perfect for when the girls come to visit, and after a quick look online, I find a restaurant right here in town that offers privateclasses. Not wanting to miss out on spaces, I quickly complete the booking.
Quickening footsteps echo up the stairs, so I throw the scrapbook under my pillow, hiding it the best way I can because there is no way I want my mother finding it, because the last thing I loved as a child was my bunny rabbit toy, Miss Hop. My mother took great pleasure in reminding me of how in control of everything she was by getting rid of the one thing I loved when something didn’t go her way.
Morgana strides into the room, and as usual, her nose is in the air. “You’re back then.”
I stay quiet, not giving her the energy she wants.
“Right, well, there’s plenty to do for the wedding. You’re expected to attend a family dinner this evening to go over plans. I’ve already informed the caterer of the additional place.” She makes it clear through her tone that there’s no room for arguments.
I paste a smile on my face. “Of course, mother.”See, I can play nice.
She surveys the room, her eyes narrowing as she does. “I believe you’re no longer living in your home. Why?”
The question sets alarm bells ringing. “How do you know I’m not living in that house anymore?” My heartbeat notches up from a slow pace to a gallop. This isn’t something she should know.
She folds her arms and purses her lips. “I’m still in contact with Peter’s mother; she mentioned she had dropped by, but the place looked …unkempt and empty.”
Blood simmers beneath my skin as goosebumps break out across it. “I haven’t lived there since he was arrested. That isn’t my home.” My words are short and clipped.
A cruel smirk lifts one side of her mouth.
