This is me

Dinner Time

Lily dried off her hair and pulled on the fresh clothes. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had no idea what she had done, but all she knew was that she was too scared to go back home. Mark would be extra drunk tonight and Lily couldn't take anymore abuse. James was in the kitchen helping serving up dinner. "Hope you like roast lamb because that's what we are having" James smiled. Lily hadn't had a proper meal in years. James pulled the chair out and gestured for Lily to sit down. Lily sat down and James but a plate down in front of her. The smell overwhelmed her, she felt sick it was too much. Lily tried to swallow the puke in her throat but she felt it rising up. "Where's the toilet?" Lily asked James. "Just on the right why?" Lily ran to the toilet and puked. She could hear voices all around her. "Hey you alright?" James asked sitting down next to her and pulling her hair back. "I'm not used to a proper meal" She mumbled embarrassed. "That's okay one bite at a time alright and I'll be right by your side" James smiled looking at Lily. Lily nodded and James helped her get back up. "I'm sorry" "Don't be" James smiled putting his arm around her shoulders. Lily felt safe in his arms. 

Lily sat down with James and finished all her food. She helped clean up the dishes and thanked Susan for dinner. What if he finds me? Lily thought to herself. "You coming upstairs?" James asked. "Oh yeah sorry" Lily replied following him. James opened the door to his room. It was covered in trophies, with little running men on top. "Are you a runner?" Lily ask intrigued. "I was" James replied. "What happened?". "Um, nothing just got bored" James said turning away. Lily could tell he was lying. After spending years with Mark she could read people easily. "If I can't lie to you, why can you lie to me?" Lily questioned. James stayed silent staring at his trophy. "The day of my nationals championship, my dad was shot in a hostage seize, that's the last time I raced" James said. "James I'm- I'm so sorry" Lily said. "I told you a secret now you tell me one" James said weakly. Lily stayed silent feeling anxious. "I don't really have any secrets" Lily lied. "Everyone has a secret" James said. "Tell me how you injured your shoulder please" James asked. "Fell down the stairs" Lily replied. James nodded not looking convinced. "Why don't you show up to school some days?" James asked walking towards Lily. Lily started to stress, she couldn't breathe she backed against the wall trying to move as far away as she could and braced herself for an attack. James' face dropped. "Oh my god Lily I'm so sorry I didn't mean to scare you" James apologised. Lily dropped her arms and looked up at him. "Why are you doing this?" Lily asked. "Doing what?" "Being nice to me and helping me" Lily replied her voice shaking. "Why wouldn't I?" James asked walking towards Lily slowly. He grabbed her hands softly and held them in his. Lily felt her breathing slow down and she felt safe again. "Yeah" Lily replied. "Because you are my friend" "Why would you want me as a friend?" Lily asked. "I don't know to be honest. I kind of want you as more than a friend" James replied watching Lily's eyes. Lily stayed silent watching James. He cupped her face with his hand and leaned down. His lips met hers. They were so soft and sweet. She wanted more, she put her arms around James' neck and he put his around her waist. Their lips parted and Lily looked up at James' she started shaking thinking of Mark. "You're safe here" James said wrapping Lily in his arms, "I'm not going to hurt you I promise" James said kissing her head. Lily snuggled into his chest. He had a warmness about him that made her feel safe. It was the first time she had felt safe for years. He was the angel she had been praying for.