The Lines Between Us | ✔

|.12.|

September 13th, 2:42 pm,

Bella

It's been two days. Two entire days of waiting. Each minute passes by slower than ever. I wonder why Liam chose for me to go tomorrow and not two days ago. It's so hard for me to put on this mask. To lie to Ash's face every day. Peter says I can only stay with Ash. I can't go anywhere that isn't with either of the two by my side. After he found out about our brief shopping trip, he put me under house arrest. I haven't left since. He calls it protection; I call it insanity.

''So, Bella,'' Clarkson pauses. ''There have been no further sightings of Liam, he has clearly been going under the radar.''

I am sitting in the little room again, perched on the same black sofa. It's exactly the same as before, minus the laptop. Nothing is an inch off place. This place is daunting to be again. The last time was three days ago, suffering from second-degree burns and the worst anxiety I have ever felt. My face is solid, pressed in a long, straight line. This is my best attempt at hiding my fears, but underneath it all, I'm freaking out. My nerves are projecting through my hands, which are clasped together in a fist. Releasing them, I tap each finger with my thumb repeatedly. I suppose it is my attempt at calming myself down- I found it works best.

Detective Clarkson swipes his beard when I don't reply. Inside I am screaming. I know exactly where Liam is. He is waiting for me. I can't say anything, Mel is going to be seriously hurt if I talk. Ash hasn't questioned where she is, except for a light mention of him being unknown to her whereabouts the past few days. He shrugged it off and claimed, ''She is probably passed out drunk somewhere.''

I nod in reply to his statement. I fasten my hands back together. Lisa hasn't arrived yet, so I am alone with the two men. The only comfort I have this time is Peter, who gives me reassuring smiles every couple of minutes. Ash is right outside. He isn't allowed her with me as he might ''corrupt my ideas,'' As Clarkson stated. Peter doesn't say much, he is more there as a witness to the things I say. There isn't a laptop this time, so I figure they are taking a more casual approach.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and Lisa Scott- Lawyer pops up on the screen. My phone was taken by the police for investigation, but was returned to me the day after my first interview. As I answer, I get a look from the Detective: I guess I am not supposed to take calls in the meeting room. ''Bella, put me on speaker,'' Lisa says through the phone. I do, pressing the button briefly and placing the phone on the table. ''My client will not speak until I am present in the meeting room.'' She ends the call. I feel the need to laugh. I am lucky to have such a strong personality as my lawyer. I am glad my Mom found her.

I have been declining all of my Mom's calls recently. I don't want her involved in any of this. I answered only one, telling her that all was fine and she need not worry. I kept out the part about house arrest and me and Ash being together- she would have stormed over and torn me out of the house. As much as I have tried to avoid my Mom, I kind of expected her to come to see me. But she hasn't. The news has started using photos of me now, so seeing my face on there must have been enough.

Instead of talking, Clarkson brings out a small book, opening it to the middle. Peter continues to give me the looks every so often. It's like a secret language. About 5 minutes later, Lisa walks in. Clarkson lowers his book to just below his eyes, and furrows his brows. A long pencil skirt sits below her knees, paired with a deep blue blazer. A black bag hangs from her shoulder. It's more of a briefcase really, bursting with files and white papers.

Lisa looks down at her watch. ''Didn't we agree on 3 o'clock?''

''Indeed.'' A frown settles on the Detective's face. I am yet to see a smile from him- this supposed tension between the two doesn't help that. ''I was just telling Bella that there have been no further traces of Liam. We have been unable to locate him at this present time.'' A deep breath. ''Have you heard/ had any encounters with Liam recently. . . calls, e.c.t?''